Week 4 - Educational & Career Goals, ETS Readiness, and Learning Reflections

Part One: Educational Goals


My goal in the CS program is to develop a good foundation in software development which specifically includes front-end and back-end technology. I also want to get a really good understanding of algorithms and develop problem solving skills. Programming languages are another important part of this plan. In fact, that is the essence of CS. I’ve done C++, Python, Java, Javascript and other languages, but want to revise them all again and this time create a nice portfolio utilizing some of the languages.

The next goal is to hopefully land internships or full-time entry jobs to get real-world experience. All this is while attaining my bachelors.

Part Two: Career Goals

I want to start now in terms of career goals meaning that I want to start getting experience as soon as possible. This means I have to get into an entry level job and build from there. Something attainable can be taking courses on UI/UX design and get a career related to that. As I get used to that professional environment and am doing courses on the side to deeper understand CS topics, I can go on to a more software engineering field within the same company or another. And then from there hopefully project/product management.

I believe this is my version of a “SMART” plan.
 
Part Three: ETS Computer Science Test

Looking at it right now, I know it will be really hard and I think it’s good we got to take a look at how it will be almost. This way we can start preparing and studying these topics to ensure we understand everything prior to the test. I hope I can get above a 70, but that’s also what I am predicting inshaAllah.


Part Four: Week 4 Learning Journal


This week we went into a little more depth on the topic of AI and the ethical aspect of it in the professional world. We talked about how it will or is already effecting our future and our future contribution in the world within the Computer Science field. Another highlight of the week was doing our outline for the Ethics Argument Essay. My topic is on social media companies vs mental health experts.  I lean more towards the mental health experts as I don’t like where the world is heading to these days. 

Comments

  1. NoahFebruary 5, 2025 at 3:20 PM

    Suhaib,
    I like the detail you went into for your educational and career goals. Getting an internship soon will definitely help you get an entry level job. I think it is good that you have a specific field in mind, namely UI/UX design and software engineering. Knowing this will help you know how to prepare.

    I predicted that I would get 80%-90% on the CS Test. I'm sure you can do better than 70%!

    ReplyDelete
  2. JianFebruary 8, 2025 at 9:14 PM

    Hello Suhaib,
    I can see that you plan to go down software engineering by following the CSUMB program, as the educational goals and career goals emulate this in conjecture to UI/UX design. The best way to not only do well in the program and your career is by doing extracurricular activities, such as bootcamps, along with getting certificates and online platforms like Codecademy (used to learn programming languages). In the end, I believe that you are on the right track, as your goals align with seeking internships and experience; although, you could also make goals in getting connections with others to enhance career opportunities (LinkedIn). Nevertheless, I see that you have a splendid illustration of educational and career goals that will help you to succeed.

    ReplyDelete

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Week 2 - Learning Strategies | Time Management | Project Management | Previous Capstones | Week Summary

Image
Learning Strategies Top 3 Study Skills I'm Good At: Following the SQ3R method: Survey | Question | Read | Recite   |   Review I didn't even know I followed this until I examined myself with it.  Minimizing Distractions While Studying: I’m good at selecting quiet, distraction-free environments like my study room at the corner of my house so not many people walk by throughout the day allowing me to focus deeply on the material. Looking for main ideas in paragraphs and extracting key details. Top 3 Areas I Need to Improve On: Creating/Following a Schedule:  I am not good at creating a schedule and even worse at following it. I'll try it for a day but then things pop up and I get inconsistent. I feel like I can't keep a good schedule when studying formally like school. However, this class is training us like we are working a job. Therefore, it is getting easier to follow a schedule as if we are needing to meet deadlines so I am enjoying it.  Time...
Read more

Week 5 - Team Comments, Capstone Ideas, Weekly Journal, Industry Expert Interview

Image
  Part One: Team Comments  Comment for Jian:  Jian's Week 4 Journal Comment for Noah:  Noah's Week 4 Journal   Part Two: Capstone Ideas 1. User-friendly appointment booking system for small businesses - Many small businesses have a hard time with inefficient and difficult scheduling systems. This project would create a simple, mobile-friendly appointment booking system with features like automatic reminders and calendar, significantly improving customer experience and reducing no-shows.  2. Smart navigation system or app for public spaces - Many people struggle with navigating crowded places like malls, airports, or large events. This project would create a user-friendly mobile app that provides real-time navigation indoors, showing the least crowded paths based on foot traffic data. It could also include accessibility-friendly routes for users with disabilities, improving overall user experience and convenience. 3. AI-powered smart form auto...
Read more