Advice From Seniors Suraj Samaranayake Andres J Tack Seniors in

Advice From Seniors Suraj Samaranayake Andres J. Tack Seniors in Computer Science Samaranayake 11.27.2007 Welcome To the UofI! • CS Department – 900 Undergrads – 440 Grad Students • Some cool things that’s came from UIUC CS alumni recently… – Youtube! – Yelp – Paypal – Slide Samaranayake 11.27.2007 A short disclaimer • These are my opinions, not the department’s. • Don’t feel like you *have* to follow my advice. Samaranayake 11.27.2007 When I was a freshman…. • Was accepted as a James Scholar • I watched my GPA fall to the ground • Got kicked out of James Scholar Samaranayake 11.27.2007 A quick warning • Undergrad CS programs – CS degree from College of Engineering – CS/Math degree from LAS – CS/Stats degree from LAS • If you are in either of the LAS degree programs… consider switching. Samaranayake 11.27.2007 Lets talk about classes • General advice: – Some classes are avoidable – Others…. There’s no escape – When registering: think 2 semesters at a time… balance the hard classes you want to take over the next two semesters evenly between the two. Samaranayake 11.27.2007 An Example • Sophmore year: – CS 273 – CS 232 – CS 241 – CS 199 – PHYS 211 • THIS IS NOT FUN. Not a good way to enjoy college. Samaranayake 11.27.2007 And for CS classes • There’s some easier ones: – CS 231 – CS 257 – CS 210 • There’s some harder ones: – CS 241 – CS 273 – CS 421 – CS 473 • Ask around before you sign up for classes…. Don’t take too many hard or heavy workload CS classes in one semester! Samaranayake 11.27.2007 What is Mathematica? • Created in Champaign at Wolfram Research • Current Courses offering Mathematica: – Math 461, 463, 415, 385, ??? • My advice: Take as many Mathematica courses as possible! Samaranayake 11.27.2007 Gen Eds • Do whatever you want with them: – Get rid of them early – Spread them throughout your 4/5/6 years • Everyone handles their Gen Eds differently, just do whatever feels most comfortable. Samaranayake 11.27.2007 The Technical Tracks • CS Track – Lots of flexibility – Majority of students pick the CS track • Science Track – “I get specialize in a interesting Science field!” – “Wait… why am I taking all these boring Math based CS classes??” • Math Track – If you like math… then this might be a better option than the CS/Math major. Samaranayake 11.27.2007 Deeper into the CS Track • Concentrations – Systems – Databases – Graphics – Human-Computer Interaction – Languages – Artificial Intelligence – Security – Networking You don’t have to worry about picking a concentration for a while. Don’t feel like you have to know what field in CS you like the best.. You have 2-3 years to figure that out! Samaranayake 11.27.2007 Doing work in organizations distinguish you from your peers • ACM – Special Interest Groups (SIGs) make up ACM – www.acm.uiuc.edu • WCS – Office in 1318 Siebel Center • !Bang – Social Events (!Casino) • Latinos and La Samaranayake 11.27.2007 Think about getting an internship • Companies want you just as much as you want to work for them • Go to career fairs early and often • Join ECS, get your resume online • Internships can only help you, whether you go into industry or end up going to grad school. Samaranayake 11.27.2007 My Advice for Grad School • Talk to the professors • Find out what you would like to research • Get an internship so you know the alternative • Do undergraduate research Samaranayake 11.27.2007 Finals Week • Relax… you have more time than you think to study. • Be organized • Stay calm, nervous breakdowns will not help the situation • Plan your week out in advance Samaranayake 11.27.2007 Top 5 Things I Wish I Knew As A Freshman 1. 2. 3. 4. Network as much as possible Balance your schedule You aren’t here to just study CS The less you stress… the more you will succeed 5. School first… Having fun a close second Samaranayake 11.27.2007 Top 5 Things I Wish I Knew As A Freshman 1. 2. 3. 4. Network as much as possible Balance your schedule You aren’t here to just study CS The less you stress… the more you will succeed 5. School first… Having fun a close second Samaranayake 11.27.2007 Top 5 Things I Wish I Knew As A Freshman 1. 2. 3. 4. Network as much as possible Balance your schedule You aren’t here to just study CS The less you stress… the more you will succeed 5. School first… Having fun a close second Samaranayake 11.27.2007 Top 5 Things I Wish I Knew As A Freshman 1. Network as much as possible 2. Balance your schedule 3. You aren’t here to just study CS 4. The less you stress… the more you will succeed 5. School first… Having fun a close second Samaranayake 11.27.2007 Top 5 Things I Wish I Knew As A Freshman 1. 2. 3. 4. Network as much as possible Balance your schedule You aren’t here to just study CS The less you stress… the more you will succeed 5. School first… Having fun a close second Samaranayake 11.27.2007 Top 5 Things I Wish I Knew As A Freshman 1. 2. 3. 4. Network as much as possible Balance your schedule You aren’t here to just study CS The less you stress… the more you will succeed 5. School first… Having fun a close second Samaranayake 11.27.2007 Good luck with finals! Thanks for your time Any questions? Email me! ssamara2@uiuc.edu Samaranayake 11.27.2007