Gluttonous: Big Changes

Big Changes

kev — Tue, 10 Oct 2006 14:38:00 -0400

I’ve been sitting on this a while, but as I’ve finally printed out and signed my offer letter, I’m proud to announce that I’ll be starting at Powerset in the Bay next month. I’ll be working with my friend Josh Susser and a group of equally amazing people to turn the search world upside down.

As such, I’ve withdrawn from school (let’s call it a leave of absence) and am looking for a place in San Francisco. I’m considering the Mission District, but any advice would be welcomed.

"Big Changes" by Stephen Waits

Mon, 30 Oct 2006 11:12:33 -0500

Congrats Kevin. Don’t fret the CS degree – it’s actually not worth that much. I do an awful lot of interviewing; there are good and bad candidates and I guarantee you’d be hard pressed to pick which ones have degrees.

The key is to never stop studying, never stop learning. Some of us just do better that way, and for us, school’s just an expensive way to do something we already do on our own.

What the paper is worth is a foot in the door. It seems like you’ve already got that. Now, fondle those business relationships (LinkedIn is a good start) and never burn a bridge and always do at least a little bit better than your competition. Stay friendly and helpful – this is worth more than any technical skill IME!

Good luck – from another person with no paper behind his name. Go kick some ass!

"Big Changes" by sims

Thu, 19 Oct 2006 23:53:47 -0400

BART is right. Don’t live in Frisco. Boycott Frisco!

Mission District = Fake Hip Oakland = Truly Hip!

"Big Changes" by scott hodson@ocruby

Tue, 17 Oct 2006 21:45:23 -0400

Congrats Kevin, I wish you the best of luck. It sounds like an exciting opportunity. Will you be expanding on your rails experience or working in some other language/environment?

I grew up in San Jose so I’m not much help WRT living in SF, but the commuting via BART advice above may be a sound one, though, if you’re going to be putting in super-mad late night coding sessions like I imagine, you may want a place closer to work. And remember, poverty builds character!

And do try to finish your degree at some point if you can. You don’t want to disappoint your parents now do you? :)

"Big Changes" by Daniel Berger

Thu, 12 Oct 2006 14:44:00 -0400

I recommend finishing up your CS degree as a part time student. That piece of paper is worth more than you may realize, even if you don’t think so right now.

That being said…congrats!!!

- Dan

"Big Changes" by Phil

Thu, 12 Oct 2006 14:01:51 -0400

Mad props. Don’t worry, CS education is overrated. =D

"Big Changes" by Brian Abbott

Thu, 12 Oct 2006 08:25:00 -0400

Congrats! I hear they have great technology!

Cheers,

Brian Abbott

"Big Changes" by jchawla@ucsd.edu

Wed, 11 Oct 2006 14:19:05 -0400

Are You Crazy?

"Big Changes" by Chris Abad

Tue, 10 Oct 2006 19:43:52 -0400

Congrats Kevin. My advice? SF is expensive… live outside the city and take BART. ;)

"Big Changes" by Edward O'Connor

Tue, 10 Oct 2006 16:31:08 -0400

Wow, congrats!

"Big Changes" by Dominic

Tue, 10 Oct 2006 15:35:13 -0400

Let me be the first to say congrats. It’s a bummer that you have to leave school, but I’m sure the opportunity was one you couldn’t pass.

Let’s just hope you can make it down and do a talk at sd.rb every now and then!