Have a kickass senior project
The core part of the senior curriculum for SEs at Rose is the senior project. It’s a chance to flex all the skills one’s used and create an actual product for an actual company. Although I initially had reservations about one of the members, time and time again I’ve been reassured that our team is going to work well together. Our client seems energetic about what we’re doing and willing to lend a hand where we need it, and the project itself (an iPhone application for one of Turner Media’s properties) is cool and also involves a very hot skillset. I get to be PM, which excites me and makes me nervous at the same time, but I have faith in my team that we’ll deliver a quality product to the client at the end of all this. At this point, that would make the project a success for me–although getting one of those end of the year awards wouldn’t hurt either.
Run a puzzle hunt
This one’s already in progress. I’ve loved the last two puzzle hunts I’ve been a part of, and although they tend to bring out the ugly , overcompetitive side of me, I really want to write/run a hunt of my own. I’ve got a couple writing partners, so hopefully this will work out and spring 2010 will see an awesome hunt.
Get a second-round interview with Microsoft/a job in general
Last year, I got a first-round interview with a Microsoft rep. That was one of the most exciting moments when I got that email–I ran out of the building to call home as soon as I had confirmed by email that yes, I was interested in an on-campus interview. While I feel I did really well on the interview, I didn’t end up moving on to the next stage of the interview process. Looking back, there’s a few things I’d change–indicating products I’d be interested in working on, for one–but overall it was a good experience to actually go through an interview. This year, I want to get to the next level. Getting an offer from them awesome, but at the least I’d at least like to get flown out to Redmond. Microsoft has been my dream job since I came to Rose (although I’ve shifted from wanting to be an SDE to figuring out that coding isn’t my strongest suit to going through 371/372 to wanting to be a Microsoft PM). I’m not entirely set on them (there’s at least a few other companies I”d want to work for, and there’s always the option of freelancing). I’m thinking that wherever I end up, I’d like to be away from the Midwest for awhile–a change of scenery always seems to do me well.
Cook at least once a month
I love to cook. I’ve been cooking since before I hit double digits in age, and I’ve been cooking a lot more since my mom went back to work. I’m good at it, but my skills tend to atrophy a bit while I’m at school. It’s not that I don’t have the facilities–all of my dorms so far have had a communal kitchen–it’s just that when the people who use the kitchen frequently don’t fucking clean it up after they’re done, it really diminishes the desire to use them. All that should change this year–I’m in the apartments. Hopefully this means I can start experimenting more and cracking open the copy of “The Joy of Cooking” I bought off of eBay. If nothing else, I’m looking forward to sharing that food with friends.
Tags: Microsoft, puzzle hunt, RHIT, senior project
By the way… I picked up Pride and Prejudice and Zombies, but I haven’t read it yet. I thought I should inform you, if you didn’t know, that they’ve also put out Sense and Sensibility and Seamonsters. Thought it might be up your alley.
Two quick things – you have a comment on this post, but it still says no comments. Also, your link to your old blog goes to livejounal.com instead of livejournal.com.
@Kyle – PP&Z is a little slow in the beginning, but once you get into it it’s hard to put down. I heard about Sense and Sensibility and Seamonsters. May have to get that when it comes out if it’s the same quality as the first.
Also, I forgot to modify comment approval settings. I’ll make sure the link’s correct as well.
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