My Plan for the Future
Part One: Set Your Educational Goals
In regard to this program my goal is to obtain a bachelor’s
degree with distinction in Computer Science. I know I don’t have to be the
perfect student, but I want to try my best and I want to earn that achievement.
After obtaining my bachelor’s my goal is to be accepted
into a master’s degree program. Specifically, one with UC San Diego or UC
Berkeley. If I am not accepted into one of these, I have planned to enroll in a
master’s program that is available online, to make my situation easier.
I have recently obtained my CompTIA A+ certificate and
will be studying to get my CompTIA Network+ and Cybersecurity+ certificates.
Part Two: Set Your Career Goals
After graduating with my master’s, I plan to enter into
the field if I have not already obtained a job.
My goal is to become a back end or full stack software
developer for a major company. The company I most want to work for is Microsoft,
but I also like Apple.
My secondary goal in my career is to get a job locally. There
are a few companies close to my location that are constantly looking for software
developers. These jobs require a bachelor’s degree, however, so I am not qualified
enough for these positions.
I do not have the goal to ever become a CEO or partner
but I would not mind becoming a supervisor, or manager eventually in my career.
Part Three: Take a wild guess of your percentile of the
ETS Computer Science test
After viewing the ETS page I feel very nervous about taking the test. I do not feel as though I would fail but tests that are really important in regard to my future make me nervous in general. I am not a terrible test taker but there have been some occasions where my mind blanked while I was in the middle of the test. I think I could get into the 70th percentile at least. I am not the best coder but with practice I know I can improve and get a decent score.
Part Four: Keep Up With Your Learning Journal
This week I have learned a lot about AI. To contribute to
last week’s post, there is a lot about AI I was unaware. I knew to some extent
how they got the material they used to learn, but some of these practices are
kind of shady. By using some platform’s you automatically consent to training
their AI and most people have no idea. I’ve written a couple of argumentative
essays in my lifetime, so the refresher on writing them was nice. I am so used
to MLA format that switching to APA has been a little hard, but for the most
part they are the same. The only real difference is the bibliography. I plan to
continue my research on AI to better understand both sides of the argument.
Personally, I am on the side of AI not using data without informed consent, but
I know argumentative essays are meant to be impartial. That is all I have for
this week, until next time 😊.
Hi Janaye, your goals are incredibly well thought-out and inspiring. Aiming for distinction in your bachelor’s and planning ahead for grad school shows real dedication. I admire your interest in both Microsoft and Apple, those are excellent companies with great opportunities. Your plan to obtain more certifications like Network+ and Security+ aligns perfectly with your career path. Keep believing in yourself; with your mindset and preparation, I’m confident you’ll reach your goals and land a fulfilling software development role.
ReplyDeleteHi Janaye! We have similar interests in future careers. I admire your drive to go for a master's degree, I myself haven't decided if I'll take that path yet. I believe that with this experience that you will be a great project manager or supervisor.
ReplyDeleteHi Janaye! It sounds like you have a great plan to continue up through your masters! I know the CompTIA stuff isn't easy, but it's a huge plus to have those and keep them maintained! All of that should really help when you start to look for your first role in the field.
ReplyDeleteHey Janaye!
ReplyDeleteIt's really cool to see that you are so committed to getting your masters in Computer Science. With all the experience you'll gain through the programs you'll definitely have a great head start into the world of full-stack development.
When it comes to full-stack, I would focus on learning stacks that help you qualify for the maximum amount of roles. In that way I would focus mostly on React for frontend, and Java or GoLang for backend services. Those most commonly used frameworks / languages will help you qualify for many different companies who rely on them for their application stack.
As far as local work -- I wouldn't discount remote work. There are still plenty of remote jobs at startups and large companies that would help you gain experience and traction to be able to make it into FAANG type of roles.
Good luck on your journey!
Hi Janaye—your plan is ambitious and well thought out. Aiming for distinction in your bachelor’s and targeting UCSD or Berkeley for your master’s shows clear focus; to strengthen your applications, consider reaching out to potential advisors and joining a small research project. Pairing your CompTIA A+ with hands-on work (like a home lab or volunteer IT role) will reinforce each certification and demonstrate real experience to admissions committees. To prepare for a back-end or full-stack developer role at a company like Microsoft or Apple, build a portfolio project (for example, a React/Node.js app) and network now via LinkedIn or local meetups so you have connections by graduation. Look for leadership chances—mentoring peers or leading team projects—to support your long-term goal of becoming a supervisor. Finally, ease ETS test anxiety by scheduling regular practice sessions with official questions and doing timed practice exams. With these steps, you’ll be well positioned for both graduate school and a strong entry‐level role.
ReplyDelete