Through a modern tech student's eyes

Well tomorrow is finally the Jim Gaffigan act! I'm going to see him in Indianapolis w/ my girlfriend and parents! Unfortunately, it's supposed to start snowing in Indy at 9am tomorrow, I hope the roads aren't too bad...

On another note, classes are pretty interesting so far. It's sort of surprising that we aren't going to discuss abortion in Bioethics. The prof said it's because students can't objectively discuss the subject because they've all made up their minds by this time in their lives.

Oh, one more thing, remember that ordeal with the company that called me about this blog? Well, they emailed me to let me know that I didn't get the job, apparently my skills don't match their needs...I wonder if they're telling the whole truth....

About 4 months ago I started a little project to build a media center pc. After several pc component failures and several failed attempts at running Windows Vista, I have a fully functional homemade computer w/ better-than-Tivo functionality! In case you don't know, this gives me the ability to do the following:

• Control live television (pause, rewind)
• Watch recorded shows on another computer or portable video player
• Browse a normal looking channel guide with absolutely zero delay
• Automatically record shows or entire seasons of shows

Those are the highlights, and so far it's a much better experience than anything else I've seen including Tivo brand DVRs and DirectTV brand DVRs.

Well it's a little after 2am and we're getting ready to head out. We decided to just pull all-nighters and head to Best Buy around 3am since they start handing out tickets at 4am. Unfortunately, we saw people lining up at Best Buy on TV as early as 11pm. Oh well, we'll get what we can get.

!!! Happy Thanksgiving !!!

Well, I've been getting a ton of hits from companies (over a hundred hits from two companies in 24 hours) and I'm not so sure how I feel about it right now. I knew I wasn't really hiding my identity, even without mentioning my name, but I might go back and remove some things that narrow it down pretty quickly (like my school). Of course, then date specific events (like an on site interview) also narrow things down quickly.

So, I need to decide if I want to keep doing what I'm doing, or shift to a much more anonymous idea. I'm just worried I might offset a forthcoming opportunity by saying something in this blog.

On the contrary, I have also been emailed specific questions about certain programs (school, internships) that I really like to respond to. I really like to help out others with advice and input.

I guess what I'll do for now is keep doing what I'm doing. I'll be honest and open, but maybe think more carefully about what I post. I suppose if I have something negative to say, I shouldn't really want to pursue a career with that particular company anyway.

On another note, Manchester United just lost to Celtic in a Champions League soccer match. It's a pity, ManU played well, though a little reserved and it killed them in the end :(

Well, I got a random phone call today from a company I have mentioned a couple times previously in this blog. Apparently they browse the web looking for information about candidates, which I've read is becoming more and more common these days. Anyway, the first thing he (their recruiting head) said was that he found a blog post that he thought it was mine. Of course, he was referring to the one where I talked about my negative interview experience.

All in all, the caller was extremely nice and simply wanted my feedback. I let him know how I honestly felt about the whole process and specific interviewers the best I could remember, but I failed to recover many specific quotes from memory. However, the caller did restore some lost respect I had for the company in seeing how sincere he seemed about improving the experience for interviewees.

But in the end, I think that's the last I'll be hearing from them for a long time. Of course, I expect many more hits from his locale over the next day or so...

I just read a story about a professor I had at RHIT. It's about a formula he developed using some geometric calculus appearing in the CBS show "NUMB3RS." Who would've though, that slave-driving prof I had shoving Calculus down my throat would have a formula he developed appear on national television. Not exactly a revolution in the world of math, but still sorta interesting.

In other news, I accepted an offer from GE today, looks like I'll be doing their IMLP at Louisville, Cleveland, or somewhere in Connecticut!

This entry is in response to the fact that I get several hits a day by people searching for information on GE IMLP and the interview process.

For staters, here's a great article on starting your career (after a 4-year degree). You can even look at stats for several top companies including vacation, average pay, and more. GE for example, starts you with 2 weeks of vacation and 50% of hires make more than $55,000/year.

As for the interview, it's really not very difficult. I was asked some basic questions about my resume and the experience I had there. I was also asked some specific behavioral questions. These are simple questions like "describe how you approach a new team with no designated leader," or "describe a time when a team project wasn't going well, and how you handled that situation." To prepare for this type of interview, DON'T try to think of (or google to find) every possible question and prepare a response. Rather, just think about all the team projects you've worked on for school or other jobs and have them fresh on your mind. An interviewer wants you to be thinking, not just rattling off prepared answers.

I was also asked some questions about my technical experience, but it didn't seem like a test, it just seemed like they wanted to get to know my background. Also, for the intern program, at least for me, there was no on site interview, only one on campus interview.

I'd also like to point out that this isn't a very technical program. GE seems to want technical people, but not someone who want to code all day. You might start out somewhat technical and do some coding. But the idea is that you'll be phased (quickly) into a management type position.

If anyone has specific questions feel free to ask.

Here's some views from the hotel room in Chicago that I promised a few posts ago...

Technology is a large part of my life, but even I find myself lost in the craziness of the modern media era. Ever since my mp3 player was stolen en route to be fixed, I have paid much closer attention to the mp3 player market. There are so many decisions to make that companies are making incredibly difficult.

The first is basically Apple iPod or all else. If you get an iPod, then you are locked into Apple's fenced in utopia of media. This is great for most people, but iPods simply lack important features such as store choice (you only get iTunes) and a built in FM tuner. It all comes down to using iTunes and iPods together, or neither at all. I find it very difficult to buy into this.

Elsewhere there is the Microsoft PlaysForSure market. You can pick from a variety of stores, and a variety of players and things "should" work. This is nice because you can pick whatever player you want (except an iPod, or the new Zune) and use a subscription based service where you get unlimited access to music for 10-15 bucks a month. I think that's a far better deal than buying songs for a buck a piece that you'll listen to for a limited amount of time anyway.

To make matters even more confusing, Microsoft is launching a player called the Zune that is similar to the iPod in that it's locked down. Want a Zune? Then you MUST use Zune Marketplace (~iTunes). Unfortunately, the player is a bit bulkier, and the content is less plentiful.

Well, I've basically decided against the iPod because I want a video based player that can sync with a Windows Media Center PC (~Tivo) and play shows I've recorded on it. As a result, I think Microsoft is slightly more on track in integrating your entire media experience. However, this only narrows it down to the Zune (maybe, I don't know if it works with Media Center) or any other PlaysForSure device. Each of which have their own set of problems.

Even more problematic is that once you pick a Zune or an iPod then you're stuck with it. For example, if you buy a bunch of iTunes content, then you better stick to iPods or you're going to lose the ability to play everything you bought.

Overall, I don't know what I'm going to end up getting, but this entire market is a mess. Things need to become standardized and companies need to start making things a little more sensible for their millions of customers.

So, I finished up my last presentation today and am half way through studying for my last big test before finals (only 1 final :-) .

Then I finally get to chill for a little over a week back in my hometown. That will be nice. Then just a few weeks until Christmas, which will be especially nice since I get to see at least one of my sisters and b-in-law on a far-to-rare occasion (they live in Cali)! Who knows, maybe I'll see my Tenn based sister and niece as well. It sure would be nice to have the whole family back together for the holidays, seems to get tougher and tougher every year though. Ha, maybe someday I'll make enough money to take the whole gang on a week long cruise through Europe, how cool would that be!

I did realize something else sort of depressing the other day though. The last time I had a really long vacation with limited responsibility was the summer after my freshman year in college. And what's more, the next time that will probably happen is when I retire...Of course, this is pretty much what everyone experiences, it's just sort of lame. What happened to 3-month summer breaks with no obligations?

On the brighter side of things, life overall, is really just going pretty well. Aside from not seeing my family as much as I'd like, things are great: relationship with my gf is good, grades are solid, internship offer from Fortune 10 company, outstanding job outlook for full-time next year, solid finances for a college kid, teeth are falling into alignment nicely (I'm on my 2nd round of braces), voice returned after 3 wks of hoarseness, no car problems, and so much more!

I just can't wait to see what the next 5 years or so will bring...

Well, I've done some emailing back and forth with my IMLP internship "buddy" named Stephanie. She basically just answers every question I can come up with, and in a very timely manner. Anyway, the full-time IMLP program seems pretty dang sweet. Two-years of training/work in GE's Consumer & Industrial division sounds pretty interesting. Plus it's much more in line with what I think I want to do.

You see, I am studying software engineering, but I think IT Management is really more my forte. Don't get me wrong, programming can be a good time (yeah, I said it), but IT Management just seems more multi-dimensional, and just more exciting overall (plus you still program some). Plus with GE, I can end up pretty much anywhere I want (I think).

All that said, IMLP is no cakewalk. It requires a lot of time (surely not more than RHIT though) and work; at least your making money though. Also, Stephanie (my GE "buddy") told me that the acceptance rate for the program is only 30%, and that is already limited to just IMLP interns. So, I might not even make it into the program, but it sounds good so far!

Moving on, General Mills also sounds like a good company. They offer a less stressful program, with 1.5 year rotations. However, it's limited to Minneapolis, MN. However, it's also a much more highly ranked company in regards to life-style (work/life balance) but GE seems to put in a lot of effort in that department as well. That said, I don't even have an internship offer from General Mills, and if they do contact me when they said they would, I'll only have about a week to decide (plus a 2nd round interview).

Well, that's the internship (and full-time job) update thus far. Hopefully things will be wrapped up soon, so I can start worrying about living arrangements for next year. You see, I live with 4 other guys in a house right now, but one is getting married, and another is maybe going on a co-op (really long internship).

Alright, I need to study for some tests (4 this week) and get a move on. Life will be much better in 5 days, that's for sure. Oh, and my voice is doing better to, still far from normal, but I can at least communicate effectively now.

I got an offer from GE yesterday for the IMLP internship! It seems like a pretty good deal all around, but the real bonus is if you can get into the full-time IMLP program. Basically that's a fast track to technology leadership in a Fortune 10 company. Not only that, but you get 4 different 6-month rotations to start your career. That should keep things from getting to boring.

The only problem with IMLP is the dang paperwork. There's literally about an inch thick of 8.5x11 sheets of paper to read/fill out. That'll be a drag.

On another note, I am trying to not talk at all. I've had a hoarse voice since October 15th or so, and this is my last ditch effort to get my voice back before next week when I have presentations. I also have 5 tests, so I'll be pretty busy, but after that it's a 10-day vacation! I can't wait.

The title of this post refers to an second round interview process I went through recently that was set up in 3 different parts. Each was with a different person covering coding, design, and troubleshooting. A good set of skills for any software engineer. However, here's a list of things that I thought were out of place, and ruined the actual execution of this process.

1. Don't give someone a short (2-4 min) problem and then leave to play Mario Cart on your Nintendo DS for a while.
2. Don't brag about your own software engineering skills
3. Don't treat your interview like a power trip
4. Don't go over your time by almost 2 hours when you know the interviewee has to drive back for classes and a test early the next morning (since you just asked him about those things)
   
5. Don't "space-out" and forget someone just told you it was your turn to do your part of the interview, thus leaving the interviewee waiting for an unnecessary 20 minutes. Oh, and if you do, you probably should just tell the interviewee you needed to wrap something up.
   
6. Don't tell the interviewee that you left your last job because you thought large companies hired to many "dumb" people and you can't stand incompetence
   

Well that's the end of my rant, please leave a comment if you have any to add from an experience you've had.

Chicago is such a cool city, as most cities are. I got there Tuesday evening and checked into Hotel 71. I also got to use valet for the first time in my life...I'm a fan. Anyway, I just walked around the city, which is beautiful at night (I'll put some pics up later).

More of the same on Wednesday as I walked around some malls and the Apple Store. I finally got around to the company I was interviewing with at 1:30ish in the afternoon to find that the building is locked down. So, I just snuck in behind some other people. I had to do the same again once I was inside the building. It wasn't a big deal, but sort of annoying since I hadn't been forwarned or given a phone number to call (only an email address).

The actual interview process was 3 seperate "one-hour" interviews with engineers. It turned out to be 4.5 hours of testing in the end. This was sort of annoying since I was already tested at the career fair and the initial interview. They also asked about what other companies I was interviewing with and where I was at in their processes. I vaguely answered, but is that really any of their business?

All things considered I went it doubtful that this company was a good fit for me, and I came out completely sure it wasn't a fit for me.