Computer Science Career AwesomenessGRANT PARK HIGH SCHOOL – MAY 2015

DAVID WESST (@DAVIDWESST)

What Are Your Goals for Today?

Questions from Audience Game Development

Robotics

Coding Language

Software Development

Artificial Intelligence

Computer Engineering / Electrical Engineer

Expectations?

My Goal for Today

Facilitate a conversation about a career in Computer Science

Clarify questions about post-secondary education (University VS College VS Other)

Discuss the (IMHO) Critical Components to a career in CS

Who am I?

David Wesst (@davidwesst) A Microsoft.NET UI Developer

…turned HTML5/JavaScript Dev Enthusiast

…that became an full-time Analyst

…who is currently paid to code in Java

Who am I?

David Wesst (@davidwesst)

I got into Computer Science:….by accident….but managed to get my

bachelor of CS with Honours and co-op option from University of Manitoba

Who am I?

David Wesst (@davidwesst) I have been:

Coder

Analyst (Software, Business, UX, IT)

Designer

Teacher / Trainer

Public Speaker

Team Lead

Startup Investor and Owner

Interviewer

Event Organizer

Who am I?

David Wesst (@davidwesst) I am also:

Microsoft MVP

IE User Agent

Conference Speaker

Board Member of the Winnipeg .NET User Group

Who am I?

David Wesst (@davidwesst) I am currently learning about:

Game Development

Cloud Application Architecture

Internet of Things (IoT)

Why the long winded introduction?(I’m an example of a CS career path)

Looking at CS Today

Cool Time for Computer Science

Internet of Things (IoT)

Web as a Platform

Augmented & Virtual Reality

Mobile

Maker Movement

Open Source

Low/No Cost of Entry

Artificial Intelligence & Robotics

Everything has Computer Science

Computer Science

Entertainment

Healthcare

Finance

Automotive

Engineering

…Everything

Else

What Skills Are Needed for CS?

Life Long Learning

Ambition and Passion

Communication

Organization

Analytical Thinking

What can you do in CS?

What do you think?

What can you do in CS?

Code

UI/UX Design

Architecture

Training / Teaching

Business Analysis

Documentation

Application Lifecycle Management

Integration

Leadership

Deployment

Security

Infrastructure / Networking

Cloud

Content Management

Project Management

Language / Compilers

What Can You Do Now?

Education

Network

Build, Share, and Innovate on Existing Ideas A.k.a. Experience

Find Your Passion What do you actually like? Tech or otherwise…

What Can You Do Now?

Education College OR University Program

Depends on your goals

College – Practical and Applied Skills

University – Academic with some Applied Skills

Diploma Programs – Tool Specific Applied Skills

Get REAL Experience

Co-op Programs (coop.cs.umanitoba.ca)

Competitions (ludum dare, Imagine Cup)

Open Source Projects (Anything on Github)

What Can You Do Now?

Education Get Used to Learning Forever

Only Constant: Things and Tech Will Change

What Can You Do Now?

Network Social Media

Social Coding

Live / Online Events

Mentor Programs

Know Your Digital Footprint LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook, GitHub, etc…

Don’t be/feed the Troll(s) Open to New Ideas and Technologies

Quick Summary

What is important in a Career in CS Soft and Technical Skills

Wide variety of tasks OTHER than coding

Key things to work on now: Education

Networking

Build, Share, and Innovate (i.e. Experience)

Find Your Passion

Resources

MVP Mentor Program http://mvp.microsoft.com/en-us/MVP-mentor.aspx

imagine.microsoft.com

developers.google.com

coop.cs.umanitoba.ca

Education.github.com

Challenges http://ludumdare.com

https://www.imaginecup.com/

Resources

Me = David Wesst Twitter @davidwesst

YouTube davidwesst

Github davidwesst

Blog https://www.davidwesst.com

Presentation (https://davidwesst.com/talks)

Local Resources

Computer Information Systems and Technology – RRC

UManitoba Co-op Program Coop.cs.umanitoba.ca

Cs.umanitoba.ca

UWinnipeg Applied Computer Science http://www.acs.uwinnipeg.ca/