westward comments on Initial Thoughts on Personally Finding a High-Impact Career - Less Wrong

10 Post author: peter_hurford 19 June 2013 07:10PM

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Comment author: westward 20 June 2013 03:49:29AM 5 points [-]

Have you considered becoming an actuary? You need math, but it's a high grossing job (up there with finance, IT, and engineering) with long term prospects.

Also, in 10 months, you could probably pick up a fair amount for programming for an IT job.

Comment author: peter_hurford 20 June 2013 03:55:15PM 3 points [-]

Also, in 10 months, you could probably pick up a fair amount for programming for an IT job.

What would be the "next step" for pursuing an IT job if one is (1) generally "good at computers", (2) is capable of programming in PHP and JavaScript at an intermediate level, but (3) has taken only one actual class in computer science?

Comment author: J_Taylor 21 June 2013 12:57:28AM *  4 points [-]

This all assumes you are decent at programming: It may still work even if you aren't, but become good while doing it.

  1. You put on your resume that you are x months away from receiving a Bachelor's Degree from Denison. No need to specify the major.
  2. You take some free online classes from Udacity or Coursera. At this time, you may become decent at programming, if you weren't already. You can now honestly say you've taken classes in computer science.
  3. Do so. No real reason to specify on your resume where you took the classes.
  4. List the technologies you know on your resume. Also, list some you could learn quickly, and technologies people associate with your specializations.
  5. Do some easy projects to gain some light practical experience in project implementation.
  6. Use this resume to pass the HR department's almost meaningless screening.
  7. Use your l33t skills to pass technical interview, and get job.
  8. ?
  9. Profit.

Should take a little less than a year to get to step 9.

Comment author: peter_hurford 21 June 2013 04:46:31AM *  0 points [-]

I could imagine 7 having some difficulty. Could you elaborate or refer me to some references?

But this step-by-step guide actually seems quite reasonable.

Comment author: J_Taylor 21 June 2013 10:46:13PM 1 point [-]

I've heard this book is pretty good, but I've never read it. It's really easy to find copies of it floating around online:

http://www.amazon.com/books/dp/098478280X

Comment author: duwease 20 June 2013 04:23:10PM 3 points [-]

It's still a field where demand outstrips the supply in places, so it may be possible to just land one by knowing enough to answer questions in the interview. I know currently certain bustling communities such as Drupal are dying to land people.

However, it's certainly better to have experience, and what you can do on that front is contribute to an open source project. It's incredibly easy to do nowadays, and valid as resume-worthy experience.

Comment author: peter_hurford 20 June 2013 03:53:58PM *  2 points [-]

Have you considered becoming an actuary?

I hadn't; but I'll consider that now.

Comment author: RichardKennaway 20 June 2013 05:20:29AM 2 points [-]

Have you considered becoming an actuary? You need math, but it's a high grossing job (up there with finance, IT, and engineering) with long term prospects.

The precise analysis of risk and uncertainty is also directly relevant to concerns in the LW/MIRI/GiveWell area.

On the other hand, the quip is that actuaries are people who found accountancy too exciting.

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