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But also, computer networking. Rarely does anyone technical actually understand how computer networks actually work. If you learn it and continue to expand yo

by bradfa 5y ago

But also, computer networking. Rarely does anyone technical actually understand how computer networks actually work. If you learn it and continue to expand your knowledge over your school and career, you'll be super valuable in computing. Basic home-level networks on IPv4 or IPv6 are easy, start there. Then learn how the Internet actually works, lots of the different protocols, dive deep into a few of them, read broadly about many of them. When you go to interview somewhere and they ask you some brain teaser or normal interview question related to networking, answer it but then offer up other info showing that you actually know how networks work. You'll impress a smart interviewer. Just don't be cocky about it.

giantg2 5y ago
"you'll be super valuable in computing." I don't know about that. It seems there's little need of network experts. As an industry, we are moving towards abstracting this through the use of cloud providers, SaaS, etc. There are fewer jobs around this because the need is concentrated.
- bradfa 5y ago
  I think maybe your and my experiences have been very different. I think in some software industries networking expertise is not highly valued or important, but in all of the jobs I've had, actually understanding networking has been a super valuable skill. I admit that in general I've never been The Network Expert, but I've had to wear the hat a few times and learn very quickly to get things done. In every situation where I've had to learn networking things quickly to get things done, I've later looked back and realized I had completely misunderstood or not known about a much better common networking concept/thing/implementation which would have been a better solution than the one I implemented. Just having an earlier and more broad exposure to how networks work, and knowing about the details of a few (any!) areas of networking, would have been super valuable to me across each of the 4 companies I've worked for.
  - giantg2 5y ago
    But do they pay you any better due to understanding networks? Does it get you hired in an interview? Once upon a time, a long long time ago, I had decent knowledge of networking. It was never useful, so it's greatly degraded over time. I can say that about many of the skills or knowledge I learned at school. I'm actually getting less skilled and less knowledgeable the more time I am in this job (10 years now).
    - bradfa 5y ago
      I don't think I've ever been paid more or hired directly due to my networking skills, but I think it has greatly helped me to be good at my jobs and get recognition from my peers and managers that either my existing knowledge or my willingness to learn was critical to product/project success. It seems the more I learn about networking, the more I just realize how much I don't actually fully understand. To clarify, I don't think ONLY knowing about networking is a good move. But being a software engineer who happens to have an additional extensive knowledge of networking will definitely get noticed at the places I've worked.

by bradfa 5y ago

giantg2 5y ago

"you'll be super valuable in computing." I don't know about that. It seems there's little need of network experts. As an industry, we are moving towards abstracting this through the use of cloud providers, SaaS, etc. There are fewer jobs around this because the need is concentrated.

bradfa 5y ago
I think maybe your and my experiences have been very different. I think in some software industries networking expertise is not highly valued or important, but in all of the jobs I've had, actually understanding networking has been a super valuable skill. I admit that in general I've never been The Network Expert, but I've had to wear the hat a few times and learn very quickly to get things done. In every situation where I've had to learn networking things quickly to get things done, I've later looked back and realized I had completely misunderstood or not known about a much better common networking concept/thing/implementation which would have been a better solution than the one I implemented. Just having an earlier and more broad exposure to how networks work, and knowing about the details of a few (any!) areas of networking, would have been super valuable to me across each of the 4 companies I've worked for.
- giantg2 5y ago
  But do they pay you any better due to understanding networks? Does it get you hired in an interview? Once upon a time, a long long time ago, I had decent knowledge of networking. It was never useful, so it's greatly degraded over time. I can say that about many of the skills or knowledge I learned at school. I'm actually getting less skilled and less knowledgeable the more time I am in this job (10 years now).
  - bradfa 5y ago
    I don't think I've ever been paid more or hired directly due to my networking skills, but I think it has greatly helped me to be good at my jobs and get recognition from my peers and managers that either my existing knowledge or my willingness to learn was critical to product/project success. It seems the more I learn about networking, the more I just realize how much I don't actually fully understand. To clarify, I don't think ONLY knowing about networking is a good move. But being a software engineer who happens to have an additional extensive knowledge of networking will definitely get noticed at the places I've worked.