Out for Undergraduate Technology Conference Keynote

INDUSTRY OVERVIEW

Joel Spolskyco-founder and CEO, Stack Exchange

co-founder, Fog Creek Software

Saturday, February 2, 13

Assumption One


Assumption One

You’re not doing a startup.


Assumption One

You’re not doing a startup.

Startups are for crazy people.


Assumption Two


Assumption Two

You’re not going to graduate school.


Assumption Two


It’s a waste of time and money.


Assumption Two


Assumption Two


If you already have a Bachelors degree in CS, a graduate degree is an expensive waste of time.


Assumption Two


If you already have a Bachelors degree in CS, a graduate degree is an expensive waste of time.*


Assumption Two


If you already have a Bachelors degree in CS, a graduate degree is an expensive waste of time.**unless you want to be a prof


Assumption Three


Assumption Three

You can work anywhere.


Assumption Three


Not just at companies that go to career fairs.


Assumption Three


Not just at companies that go to career fairs.

Or on-campus interviewing.


9 EASY QUESTIONSthat you should ask about any job before you take it


1 Who will use my code?



Internal code is an expense.




Companies like to minimize expenses.




Companies like to minimize expenses.

Ergo, internal code tends to suck.



It’s better to work on the company’s actual product.




You’ll be making money, not costing money.




You’ll be making money, not costing money.

You’ll be friends with the CEO.


2 Is my boss a programmer?



You’ll learn more.



You’ll learn more.

Your boss won’t drive you crazy by being clueless about code.


3 Do I have a quiet place to work?



You’ll get more done.




It’s a sign that the company cares about developers.


4 Can I have two 30-inch monitors?




It’s a sign that the company cares about developers.


5 Did I write code during the interview?



No other way to prove that you can do it.




If you didn’t, you’ll have co-workers who can’t write code at all.




If you didn’t, you’ll have co-workers who can’t write code at all.

That sucks.


6 Where’s the spec?



It’s easier to change a design than change code.




Teams that don’t design first waste a lot of time.




Teams that don’t design first waste a lot of time.

And their products suck.


7 What’s the schedule?



Pro developers keep schedules so they don’t waste time on dumb features.



Pro developers keep schedules so they don’t waste time on dumb features.

They prevent death marches and 80 hour weeks.


8 Do you use version control?



This is like asking if surgeons wash their hands.



This is like asking if surgeons wash their hands.

“Germs, ever heard of them?”


9 Can you build and deploy with one click?



Build and deploy is 100% scriptable.



Build and deploy is 100% scriptable.

If they didn’t automate it, they’re not real programmers.


Important!


Important!

Don’t listen to your parents


Important!


Don’t listen to your friends


Important!


Don’t listen to your friends

Don’t listen to the voices in your head


Important!


Important!

Startups and small companies are great places to work


Important!


Stick to product companies


Important!


Stick to product companies

Never take a job with a dress code


THANK YOU

now you must follow me on twitter! @spolsky


Out for Undergraduate Technology Conference Keynote

Technology

Transcript of Out for Undergraduate Technology Conference Keynote