6 ms·

I'm 16, and need advice

21 points by bzupnick 15y ago

Hi, I'm a 16 year old student living in israel and about 6 months ago, i was approached by a friend with a ridiculous web site idea. while he thought it was a million dollar idea, i saw it as a great opportunity to really get started in web development, something i have been interested in since i started programming at 14. so after some months of my php and mysql for dummies book, yahoo answers, and a lot of google, i finished that website. 2 months later, finished another website for another friend. so currently, i know php, mysql, css, html, and am learning javascript. i have some great website ideas and want to apply to YC after my senior year. but my question is, what should i be focusing on now? I was wondering if you can please give me advice on what to do. Thank you very much. -Binny Zupnick bzupnick@gmail.com

andrewstuart 15y ago
Finish school. Get a university degree in software engineering. Work hard to become a great software developer - this will be the foundation upon which you will be able to build your future ideas/startups.
hrasm 15y ago
I wish I had your line of thought when I was your age. If I were you, I would focus on the academic commitments at hand. If you are ahead of the pack, I suggest that you pick up advanced level stuff. Why? It will really hone your skills at critical thinking. All math problems are puzzles waiting to be solved; some are interesting and some are rote but important. But if you are dead set on jumping right in, try and work out some biz models on your ideas. "Am I looking to make money? If so, why?" "What would people pay for?" "Does my idea solve an existing problem" "How/when will my 'great website idea' make money?" "If I look at this idea as an investor, would I invest in it?", etc.
ecommando 15y ago
Finish high school, but spend every waking minute working on your passion for software development. Skip college, you can always go back. Anything you learn there is already 10 years out of date, and anything "new" you learn will be useless by the time you graduate. Seriously. If you MUST go to college, DO NOT, I repeat, DO NOT get a CS degree. Go for finance, or liberal arts, even bio or chem, or some course of study where the instructors have a clue and have actually done something in that field. I can't tell you how many BS/CS and MS/CS grads I interviewed that couldn't code their way out of a paper bag because they spent their college years writing compilers or some other such nonsense. Get into a hot startup and listen and learn. The first six months will provide you with more experience than you'd get in a PhD program at any university (short of MIT or Stanford). Cheers!
- paulbaumgart 15y ago
  "compilers or some other such nonsense" Seriously? I'd spend time refuting that notion, but Steve Yegge already did it quite eloquently: http://steve-yegge.blogspot.com/2007/06/rich-programmer-food.html http://steve-yegge.blogspot.com/2007/06/rich-programmer-food...
  - mixmastamyk 15y ago
    Longwinded but worthwhile read.
  - ecommando 15y ago
    Excellent suggestion. That was a great post by Steve, and I can see his points. I especially love the answer to the C++ question ;-) However, I ask you, please revisit this post in 20 year, when you've run the gamut of jobs, startups, and made a ton of money, and then ask yourself, "Did I ever really use any of the knowledge I gained in my compiler design and application courses? You already know the answer will be "no". I'm not saying it's not important for some people. For some, it's truly foundational and life changing. For others, it's a complete waste of time, and I'm not saying that to one-up or make myself seem super-hero-like. It's just the way it is. How am I qualified to make such statements? I have coded assembly by hand since the 6502 and Z80 processors came out, since before there were compilers, and I'd happily list projects I've done in assembler if there's interest. Cheers R
    - kunjaan 15y ago
      >since before there were compilers The first compiler was written in 1952. The first complete and usable one was introduced in 1957 for FORTRAN.
- alex1 15y ago
  Take this advice with a grain of salt. I wouldn't take it at all. If you choose to major in CS (I would encourage you to), try your best go to a reputable school. I would say the most reputable ones are most of the engineering programs at the top 20 schools (MIT, Stanford, CMU, Berkeley, etc). I don't know much about lower or middle tier schools but at the top tier schools, nothing you learn will be 10 years out of date.
udp 15y ago
It's not about the languages you know, it's about how you can apply them to make yourself a living. If you're confident that your friend is capable of running a business (with your skills to help him - although I hope you're a fast learner, because two years of programming isn't very long) - and that his idea will do well enough to support both of you, then by all means do it. If you're sceptical at this stage, stay at school and code in your spare time, and then start something when you're finished or when the right opportunity comes along. Coming from someone who quit school at your age and ended up - well, successful enough :-)
- basicxman 15y ago
  I'm currently 16 and have a job making five figures as a software engineer at a company making millions. There is no reason to not start right now. On the matter of education, I'm taking independent learning at home - this allows me to get my OSSD under my province's Learn to 18 act but not have to physically attend an educational institute. Check if you have something like http://ilc.org http://ilc.org where you live. I would personally not start my own startup at the moment (however getting involved in something is a great idea) as I am still building up contacts and experience. I believe as the founder of a startup you should be the go-to guy, with only two years of experience in what sounds like L/WAMP stack programming environments, you need to spend more time. Of course, learning from a failed startup is good too.
michaelpinto 15y ago
a. There is a strong local tech scene in Israel, if I were you I'd go to every meetup, conference and social event b. If you want to be a programmer I'd tackle a new language and try to build something: But keep in mind you can do other things in the same field be it information architecture to business c. If you are getting your college degree in Israel I'd start to look into that now
gord 15y ago
You sound very self motivated, so I dont think you really need much advice. If you're already looking into Javascript, I would recommend jQuery for practical reasons, and Node.js for more subversive reasons. Have a look at source of some common Node.js modules via github. This may lead onto finding out a bit more about lisp ideas.. and computer science topics that are both interesting and relevant. Maybe at 16 you have time to work on a startup idea in your spare time for fun, while doing a degree also? Id actually suggest a course on compilers, it helps you write better programs. Throw in a bit of C programming on unix, and the basic stuff on algorithm complexity.. and calculus and.. oh dear.. just follow your interests :] Theres so much cool stuff to find out about. University might be the best place to concentrate on hacking code and meeting interesting people, one of which might be the perfect cofounder for your startup. Many of the teachers will be so-so.. but then you'll find one or two gems that really show you something you might not have found on your own - to be challenged is important.. seek it out.
- raquo 15y ago
  Binny, I'd say avoid stuff like node.js and lisp UNLESS you're actually interested in CS theory. (is HN not the best place to say that). Learning these would be beneficial in long-term, but right now better go after lower-hanging fruit. jQuery is indeed easy and awesome. You can also try CakePHP and later Backbone.js – these will help you better structure your apps. Just make sure to understand the distinction between language features and framework features.
  - bricestacey 15y ago
    At 16, it's not necessarily optimal to aim for the low-hanging fruit. It's very easy to read a few tutorials then squander several years with a poor understanding of the basics. Once you learn the basics, be sure to continue learning them deeply.
kunjaan 15y ago
Finish High School. Go to College. Major in Computer Science. Learn Natural Science. Read literature. Solve Math. Keep coding and dreaming.
issa 15y ago
Simple: do something you absolutely love. Learn what you need to learn to accomplish that thing. Don't worry about anything else right now.
Jach 15y ago
Do what you want. In order to keep your coding skills sharp you should probably start building a few of those website ideas now, don't give yourself any breaks where you just don't code at all for more than a few weeks. Get some code on github and start making a name for yourself (I wish I had started doing that much earlier), you might want to learn other languages but the LAMP stack + JS can take you wherever you want to go for most web things. I second the suggestion of finding local tech meetups, even if you're antisocial they can still be interesting.
spitfire 15y ago
Getting laid.
ohadpr 15y ago
Work on finding like-minded people and start working on projects together. These people may end up being your co-founders in some future company you'll start, and the more time you know each other ahead of time the better. Get a decent amount of knowledge about a broad-range of topics, unless you are inherently interested in something very specific. This will instill in you a lack of fear from new subjects that will be one of your greatest assets. Most people in the world don't do stuff because they are afraid, used to something comfortable, etc. If you turn 'not knowing' something into a challenge then you'll be a huge asset to other people, not to mention to yourself. Don't try to over-think things at this point, you'll earn a lot by simply creating and improving your ability to create. Be happy that you found something you love, most people struggle with this for all of their life. Israel's a decent place to improve these skills (I came from there, went through a similar path) so look in your school/neighborhood/university for peers and go get it.
pbreit 15y ago
Try to build something that people want. Better, try to build something that people would pay for.
truthsayer 15y ago
Finish schooling while you can. You will regret that if you don't. Don't stop coding, never stop learning, always assume what you know is incomplete or insufficient. VC funding isn't the only option so make sure you remove the blinkers. And understand everything about self-motivation.
iterationx 15y ago
>>i have some great website ideas and want to apply to YC after my senior year. but my question is, Just start building your websites now, it will become clear what you need to work on. You should probably give a good amount of thought to what technologies you want to start learning in the web dev space, ruby, java, asp.net?... so many choices so little time...

21 points by bzupnick 15y ago

andrewstuart 15y ago

Finish school. Get a university degree in software engineering. Work hard to become a great software developer - this will be the foundation upon which you will be able to build your future ideas/startups.

hrasm 15y ago

I wish I had your line of thought when I was your age. If I were you, I would focus on the academic commitments at hand. If you are ahead of the pack, I suggest that you pick up advanced level stuff. Why? It will really hone your skills at critical thinking. All math problems are puzzles waiting to be solved; some are interesting and some are rote but important. But if you are dead set on jumping right in, try and work out some biz models on your ideas. "Am I looking to make money? If so, why?" "What would people pay for?" "Does my idea solve an existing problem" "How/when will my 'great website idea' make money?" "If I look at this idea as an investor, would I invest in it?", etc.

ecommando 15y ago

Finish high school, but spend every waking minute working on your passion for software development. Skip college, you can always go back. Anything you learn there is already 10 years out of date, and anything "new" you learn will be useless by the time you graduate. Seriously. If you MUST go to college, DO NOT, I repeat, DO NOT get a CS degree. Go for finance, or liberal arts, even bio or chem, or some course of study where the instructors have a clue and have actually done something in that field. I can't tell you how many BS/CS and MS/CS grads I interviewed that couldn't code their way out of a paper bag because they spent their college years writing compilers or some other such nonsense. Get into a hot startup and listen and learn. The first six months will provide you with more experience than you'd get in a PhD program at any university (short of MIT or Stanford). Cheers!

paulbaumgart 15y ago
"compilers or some other such nonsense" Seriously? I'd spend time refuting that notion, but Steve Yegge already did it quite eloquently: http://steve-yegge.blogspot.com/2007/06/rich-programmer-food.html http://steve-yegge.blogspot.com/2007/06/rich-programmer-food...
- mixmastamyk 15y ago
  Longwinded but worthwhile read.
- ecommando 15y ago
  Excellent suggestion. That was a great post by Steve, and I can see his points. I especially love the answer to the C++ question ;-) However, I ask you, please revisit this post in 20 year, when you've run the gamut of jobs, startups, and made a ton of money, and then ask yourself, "Did I ever really use any of the knowledge I gained in my compiler design and application courses? You already know the answer will be "no". I'm not saying it's not important for some people. For some, it's truly foundational and life changing. For others, it's a complete waste of time, and I'm not saying that to one-up or make myself seem super-hero-like. It's just the way it is. How am I qualified to make such statements? I have coded assembly by hand since the 6502 and Z80 processors came out, since before there were compilers, and I'd happily list projects I've done in assembler if there's interest. Cheers R
  - kunjaan 15y ago
    >since before there were compilers The first compiler was written in 1952. The first complete and usable one was introduced in 1957 for FORTRAN.
alex1 15y ago
Take this advice with a grain of salt. I wouldn't take it at all. If you choose to major in CS (I would encourage you to), try your best go to a reputable school. I would say the most reputable ones are most of the engineering programs at the top 20 schools (MIT, Stanford, CMU, Berkeley, etc). I don't know much about lower or middle tier schools but at the top tier schools, nothing you learn will be 10 years out of date.

udp 15y ago

It's not about the languages you know, it's about how you can apply them to make yourself a living. If you're confident that your friend is capable of running a business (with your skills to help him - although I hope you're a fast learner, because two years of programming isn't very long) - and that his idea will do well enough to support both of you, then by all means do it. If you're sceptical at this stage, stay at school and code in your spare time, and then start something when you're finished or when the right opportunity comes along. Coming from someone who quit school at your age and ended up - well, successful enough :-)

basicxman 15y ago
I'm currently 16 and have a job making five figures as a software engineer at a company making millions. There is no reason to not start right now. On the matter of education, I'm taking independent learning at home - this allows me to get my OSSD under my province's Learn to 18 act but not have to physically attend an educational institute. Check if you have something like http://ilc.org http://ilc.org where you live. I would personally not start my own startup at the moment (however getting involved in something is a great idea) as I am still building up contacts and experience. I believe as the founder of a startup you should be the go-to guy, with only two years of experience in what sounds like L/WAMP stack programming environments, you need to spend more time. Of course, learning from a failed startup is good too.

michaelpinto 15y ago

a. There is a strong local tech scene in Israel, if I were you I'd go to every meetup, conference and social event b. If you want to be a programmer I'd tackle a new language and try to build something: But keep in mind you can do other things in the same field be it information architecture to business c. If you are getting your college degree in Israel I'd start to look into that now

gord 15y ago

You sound very self motivated, so I dont think you really need much advice. If you're already looking into Javascript, I would recommend jQuery for practical reasons, and Node.js for more subversive reasons. Have a look at source of some common Node.js modules via github. This may lead onto finding out a bit more about lisp ideas.. and computer science topics that are both interesting and relevant. Maybe at 16 you have time to work on a startup idea in your spare time for fun, while doing a degree also? Id actually suggest a course on compilers, it helps you write better programs. Throw in a bit of C programming on unix, and the basic stuff on algorithm complexity.. and calculus and.. oh dear.. just follow your interests :] Theres so much cool stuff to find out about. University might be the best place to concentrate on hacking code and meeting interesting people, one of which might be the perfect cofounder for your startup. Many of the teachers will be so-so.. but then you'll find one or two gems that really show you something you might not have found on your own - to be challenged is important.. seek it out.

raquo 15y ago
Binny, I'd say avoid stuff like node.js and lisp UNLESS you're actually interested in CS theory. (is HN not the best place to say that). Learning these would be beneficial in long-term, but right now better go after lower-hanging fruit. jQuery is indeed easy and awesome. You can also try CakePHP and later Backbone.js – these will help you better structure your apps. Just make sure to understand the distinction between language features and framework features.
- bricestacey 15y ago
  At 16, it's not necessarily optimal to aim for the low-hanging fruit. It's very easy to read a few tutorials then squander several years with a poor understanding of the basics. Once you learn the basics, be sure to continue learning them deeply.

kunjaan 15y ago

Finish High School. Go to College. Major in Computer Science. Learn Natural Science. Read literature. Solve Math. Keep coding and dreaming.

issa 15y ago

Simple: do something you absolutely love. Learn what you need to learn to accomplish that thing. Don't worry about anything else right now.

Jach 15y ago

Do what you want. In order to keep your coding skills sharp you should probably start building a few of those website ideas now, don't give yourself any breaks where you just don't code at all for more than a few weeks. Get some code on github and start making a name for yourself (I wish I had started doing that much earlier), you might want to learn other languages but the LAMP stack + JS can take you wherever you want to go for most web things. I second the suggestion of finding local tech meetups, even if you're antisocial they can still be interesting.

spitfire 15y ago

Getting laid.

ohadpr 15y ago

Work on finding like-minded people and start working on projects together. These people may end up being your co-founders in some future company you'll start, and the more time you know each other ahead of time the better. Get a decent amount of knowledge about a broad-range of topics, unless you are inherently interested in something very specific. This will instill in you a lack of fear from new subjects that will be one of your greatest assets. Most people in the world don't do stuff because they are afraid, used to something comfortable, etc. If you turn 'not knowing' something into a challenge then you'll be a huge asset to other people, not to mention to yourself. Don't try to over-think things at this point, you'll earn a lot by simply creating and improving your ability to create. Be happy that you found something you love, most people struggle with this for all of their life. Israel's a decent place to improve these skills (I came from there, went through a similar path) so look in your school/neighborhood/university for peers and go get it.

pbreit 15y ago

Try to build something that people want. Better, try to build something that people would pay for.

truthsayer 15y ago

Finish schooling while you can. You will regret that if you don't. Don't stop coding, never stop learning, always assume what you know is incomplete or insufficient. VC funding isn't the only option so make sure you remove the blinkers. And understand everything about self-motivation.

iterationx 15y ago

>>i have some great website ideas and want to apply to YC after my senior year. but my question is, Just start building your websites now, it will become clear what you need to work on. You should probably give a good amount of thought to what technologies you want to start learning in the web dev space, ruby, java, asp.net?... so many choices so little time...