Bin Maina

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since Oct 04, 2003
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Recent posts by Bin Maina

1. Job field (desktop, server side, web)
2. New project or an old(maintenance and upgrade) one.
3. How open is promotion ladder.
20 years ago
Hello friends, I have got both encouraging and discouraging comments. But I am not going to be easily discouraged because I've a vision for myself regarding where I want to be, say 5 yrs from now. The timing is definitely not right right now, as you guys always get preference before me. I pray all of you CS graduates who are unemployed get job soon and open the door for me. In the mean time, I will have to keep learning in whatever spare time I can mangage.
>>programming is definitely for anyone who loves it!
Agreed. That's why I am here.
I've strong background in GIS and remote sensing fields, though as an end-user/analyst. And as a end-user, I know the needs of this field. So my hope is to come across an employer who thinks "CS degree alone is not a guarentee to be a good programmer" and who wants to take advantage of my previous experiences in non-CS fields. My real ambition is to be a GIS developer, or some sort of scientific developer, or whatever it is named, who develops analytical modules used by environmentalists, civil engineers etc. I guess to do those kinds of programming a pure CS graduate may not be a right choice; rather someone who combines coding ability and the working knowledge of that field would be a better choice, or am I right? Since I have to learn lots of things before I can call myself a professional code writer, I am seeking to enter a programming job to raise my skill levels.
>>Debugging, fixing someone�s mistakes, reading someone�s code, following orders of superiors which you don't agree with, deadlines, stress, long hours.
I'm not afraid of long hours. Actually, I expect it because otherwise I, the late starter, cannot beat well-versed programmers like you guys. Dealing with the boss? Tell me where this is not needed, unless you own the company.
Anyway, thanks for comments. The discussion here has really been interesting. Let's hope good days for programmers returns again and soon.
By the way, here is my latest little program which I wrote as a self-assigned exercise, just to try myself out. To you it might seem trivial, but I needed to use some 'head' to create this. Any comment is welcome.
http://www.geocities.com/mainaleebp/java_puzzle
[ October 06, 2003: Message edited by: Bin Maina ]
[ October 06, 2003: Message edited by: Bin Maina ]
20 years ago
Thanks Jeroen for the long comments. I really need still longer lectures like that. I will keep in mind your suggestions.
>>you won't stand a chance without real life experience anymore.
Yes, that may be true.
First, what constitutes a real life experience?
CS isn't the only field where program writing is required.
I've written several programs during my studies and job. The first was probably more than a dozen years ago in FORTRAN-77 when my college curriculum included a short course on that. The programs I've written during my job life are usually short routines to solve some mathematical/analytical problems as needed on the job. They are written for personal use, and discarded after a while, like we throw away class notes after graduation. The problem now is it's difficult to prove that I know (some) programming, while in reality I'm not a programming newbie; it's just that I've no programming experience in a professional environment, if that is what you mean by real life experience.
In my field, the prog. language used is exclusively FORTRAN. Most existing programs are in FORTRAN, and sadly, people have strong resistance to learning new things once they settle in a job. All of my colleagues are still using FORTRAN-77, and haven't even bothered to peer into FORTRAN-90 while the world has moved far ahead. I, in search of new things, switched to Java a few years ago.
At the present situation, I don't have opportunity/time to do some serious programming, which I would like to do, because that would take time and concerted effort. The present job has been a problem to me. I can neither leave it nor continue it. That's the dilemma. Leaving it without getting another would result in immediate living problem. And in these uncertain times who knows how long I have to return to forums like these before landing a job.
>>And why are you considering a career change? (by Tina)
Well, the reason is I'm unsatisfied with the job I'm in. I find here no chance to learn, no chance to increase creativity, and no chance to use my 'head'. That's my personal judgment about myself. So I need to change track, and fast, assuming that it is not already too late.
>>why did u choose software field?
I found that that is the one area where I can be proficient without any formal studies, I mean by self study & practice alone. In writing it, I am assuming that programming is the major part of software engg. And I want to establish myself as a programmer. To me, writing programs is a tedious but funny job. To write serious programs needs a lot of creativity (you real programmers know it better than me), and to create new things is what I like this:
https://coderanch.com/t/26384/Jobs/careers/Midlife-Career-Change-Possible
[ October 06, 2003: Message edited by: Bin Maina ]
20 years ago
I know the hiring market is very weak, and lots of talented programmers looking for job.
I am a non-CS degree holder, still expecting career change to programming. May sound odd to some, but I'm serious. Could someone guide me about the prospects, or where and how I should start?
20 years ago