Karl Movitz wrote:I would like some advice from people who have made a journey similar to the one I am about to embark on or who just have good insights to share . I am finishing my PhD in Ecology in about a year and am facing a tough decision: 1. stay in academia and locking myself in on a subject with very bleak future perspectives or 2. study hard to be able to change fields when I finish my PhD.
"Leadership is nature's way of removing morons from the productive flow" - Dogbert
Articles by Winston can be found here
That's a pleasureKarl Movitz wrote:Thanks for your quick replies!
It shows application, that you are able to keep working for several years at a subject without giving up. I would have thought a PhD in ecology, history, music, etc would be an asset.It is definitely reassuring to know that you don't think that it's a big drawback to have a higher degree in a different subject!
Beware: Some of the code shown in certification books in intentionally written as poor quality code to make it harder to see the problems.I realize that books, and especially those preparing one for the OCAJP exam, are different from actual programming. . . .
The more you practise the better. Of course you can show us the code and we can consider its style. Also consider the Cattle Drive.Perhaps practicing by writing a couple of programmes . . .
...fields that I think I would love: software development and data analysis. I have always been intrerested in programming, picking up C++ and HTML as a child and using R, MATLAB and SAS in my studies...PhD in Ecology be a drawback....statistical analysis.
Karl Movitz wrote:PhD degrees here are 4 yrs long
And programming is something I enjoy.Great to hear that there are soil scientists that have learned programming too!
"Leadership is nature's way of removing morons from the productive flow" - Dogbert
Articles by Winston can be found here
Nobody round here completes their PhD in two years. The theory is three years full time.Winston Gutkowski wrote:. . . and two more for your Doctorate. . . .
Winston Gutkowski wrote:
Karl Movitz wrote:PhD degrees here are 4 yrs long
Blimey; that's quick. In the UK, it's usually 3 + 2 + 2: 3 for a Bachelor's, two for a Master's, and two more for your Doctorate. Don't know about the US.
I use him mainly as an example for people who think you have to be great at Maths to be a good programmer. You don't. It helps to be good at linear logic, and be able to break problems down into manageable pieces, but you can also be taught that; so at the end of the day, it really comes down to interest.
I parlayed a grade 'D' at Maths A-Level (high school) into a 30-year career, so if I can do it, anyone can - although in my defence, it was the toughest exam anyone could remember (I got the second best grade in my class).
You may find this article worth a read.
Winston
Karl Movitz wrote:Absolutely a good example then, because I think that lack of self-confidence when it come to math, and a widespread notion that you have to be a math genius to be able to code (although it probably helps) is a big reason why many people never starts learning.
"Leadership is nature's way of removing morons from the productive flow" - Dogbert
Articles by Winston can be found here
And probably earns more now, tooWinston Gutkowski wrote:. . . He's an electrician and DIY guy now. . . .
So it takes a day for light to pass through this glass? So this was yesterday's tiny ad?
a bit of art, as a gift, the permaculture playing cards
https://gardener-gift.com
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