WGU BS:IT/Software (starting Nov. 1st 2013)

Cisc0kidd

ratbuddy wrote: »

TPV1 (Project+) passed with a 900/900. I'm actually pretty surprised by this - I guess you don't need 100% of answers right to score a 900, because I did have to make an educated guess on a half dozen questions or so, and I can't have gotten them all right. I did find that the formulas people seem to dwell on are not that important. I only had to use the whiteboard once, for a bit of basic math. If you know the concepts and abbreviations, you don't need to memorize the actual formulas, because they all make sense in the context of the questions. Learn what EV, PV, and AC stand for, and you won't need to memorize the formula, you'll know what they mean and how to solve problems involving them. Know what CPI and SPI stand for, and know that they are good when positive and bad when negative, and you can work out the rest on your own.

Usual study regimen: 12-16 hours a day of videos and reading. I watched every Pluralsight Project+ video twice, and the material was perfectly aligned with the exam. I highly recommend Pluralsight for this course. You can get a 90 day free subscription through Dreamspark, or if you already used yours, go ahead and spend the $30 for a month. It's absolutely, 100%, not even a question, worth it.

The WGU practice tests (ucertify? I forget, barely used it) were way out of line with the material on the actual test. Like, they asked stuff way beyond the scope of the exam. I guess overstudying could be beneficial in some cases, but not this one: just ignore the WGU materials on this one, they are not very good.

I've already spoken to a course mentor about the tech writing and capstone subject, and I'm good to go. Planning to have tech writing done by Sunday or so, then capstone as soon as tech writing is accepted.

Super excited, I can't wait to get started in the real world of software development.

What text did you use for Project+? Thanks.

ratbuddy

Sybex/Heldman.

Legacy User

Congrats and awesome score, I have my exam for Saturday hopefully ill have the same luck as you.

zidian

ratbuddy, can you post a bit about your approach for the Tech Writing and Capstone? My mentor hasn't been much help, I think I'm likely to be one of the first of his people to actually finish the program. He was a new mentor when I started. I'm also in the software track and would like to be able to quickly complete those. I just haven't come up with a good project yet and I don't think my job will let me use any of the internal projects.

Thanks!

ratbuddy

I've been planning it in my mind for a while now, but just started writing yesterday. I'm on page 4/15 after about two hours of writing. I'll probably finish it tomorrow. I've been slacking off this weekend (wife is off today) after going all-out for a month straight.

I think the most important thing is coming up with a project idea. Once you do that, the writing will be the easy part. Just as with coding, where 90% of the work is figuring out the plan, or so I've heard. Figure out a software project you can plan and implement in ~20 hours. It doesn't have to be unique, and the scope should probably be limited to what you could finish in a week or so if you were actually doing the project - you don't need to produce the deliverables, just propose them.

For my project, I've selected to make an item editor for a game I play. The editor will use Java, Perl, and MongoDB. I have written some of the Perl sections, and some day I will get around to finishing the Java and DB integration aspects, but completing my project is by no means necessary. The capstone evaluators don't actually run your code, they're only interested in the writing.

The writing.. Well, use the template. It's available at https://web5.wgu.edu/aap/content/Technical-Writing-Quick-Format-Template-7-16-2012.doc and gives you everything you need to complete the assignment. I haven't done the capstone yet, or even looked at the material, but the course mentor I spoke with said it was about five hours work to modify a successful tech writing project proposal into a capstone paper.

I guess the short version answer to "What's your approach, windbag?" is this: I did the same thing I always do - think about the assignment for several weeks, so when the time comes to actually write it, I'm basically just typing something I've already formed in my mind.

ratbuddy

Tech writing submitted to Taskstream. I think I'll take tomorrow off. Maybe.

Thursday, I'll do the tech writing to capstone conversion work, but I won't submit it until I get tech writing passed. That way I can correct any problems ahead of time.

acharya007

ratbuddy wrote: »

.......The following basic courses are skipped by the listed advanced courses:

Basic Course (Course Title, CU, Exam) -> Advanced Course (Course Title, CU, Exam) -> Total CU

---

EUP1 AND EUC1 ((Project in) Web Development Fundamentals, 2+2=4 CU, Performance/Objective Assessments) -> {
BOV1 (Web Programming, 4 CU, CIW JavaScript Specialist 1D0-635)
OR
CUV1 (Web Technologies, 4 CU, CIW Web Design Specialist 1D0-520)
Total for EUP1+EUC1+(BOV1 or CUV1) = 8 CU, basically add 4 extra when first completing either BOV1 or CUV1}
.......

DEV1 (Security Fundamentals, 3 CU, MTA 98-367) -> CTV1 (Security, 4 CU, CompTIA Security+ SY0-301) -> 7 CU

CVV1 (Database Fundamentals, 3 CU, MTA 98-364) -> CJV1 (Database I, 4 CU, CIW Database Specialist) -> 7 CU
.....

Hey ratbudddy, do you know if there is any official webpage or document or posts that talks about skipping basic courses. I was taking to my mentor the other day and she didn't seem to be aware about it or maybe she's new.....

Thanks

ratbuddy

Yeah, she might not know about it yet. Have her escalate and you should be all set.

Tech writing passed. It came back for revision only ~14 hours after I submitted it, and I resubmitted with the revisions maybe an hour after that. Another couple hours later, and it was all set. Less than 24 hours start to finish including a revision. Dunno if WGU added graders or what, but great turnaround time. I'll do the capstone later tonight or tomorrow.

120 CU down, 4 to go

ratbuddy

Capstone submitted. Hope they turn it around as fast as the tech writing. I think most people probably cram their final projects in towards the end of the month, so maybe the graders are bored now. Suits me just fine

Legacy User

Thats awesome! I'm slow rolling I need to make time to start my tech writing.

ratbuddy

Wooo, passed first try. I'm done

acharya007

ratbuddy wrote: »

Wooo, passed first try. I'm done

Congratulations!!!!

anoeljr

Congrats man! Excellent job!

Antonio72

Congratulations! Awesome job!

ratbuddy

Thanks folks

I need something to study :-/

Legacy User

I missed the update that is awesome! Congrats! Whats next?

datschmo

Congrats radbuddy!!

Definitely jealous...I still have 59CU to go.

ratbuddy

Thanks, datschmo and dmarcisco

Next.. I'm still trying to get into the software development degree. If they won't let me in, then I'll go for an accounting degree. You can accelerate into a second degree for free, and the MSISA doesn't really float my boat right now. Only downside is, I have 4.5 months left in my term, and when you accelerate into a second program, they only let you take three classes max. I guess I'll do that, then get a job and kill some time until November when I can take more classes. Seems like they kinda punish success :-/

In the meantime.. Anyone looking for a development intern or entry level developer in the Hartford, CT area?

Legacy User

Will you be attending graduation in December?

ratbuddy

Probably not, I'm both broke and shy

Legacy User

Its surprisingly expensive to go for friday-evening - sunday morning but I don't graduate everyday so might as well make the most of it. If everything works out I'll make it a point to go for December and bring my gf and mom. My mom doesn't understand the whole concept of online education and want to show her its the real deal.

NicWhite

Congratulations!!!!!!! I watched your progress for one year. Simply amazing!!!!!

Tifinity

Hey Ratbuddy !

read all your post !!! lol really motivates me

I was wondering, what is the IRC channel you mentioned ?

ratbuddy

The channel is ##wgu on freenode. It's pretty slow most times, but the channel does come to life every so often.

I'm starting the accounting degree in a few days, hopefully I can talk them into letting me accelerate. It would be nice to finish it before November so I don't have to pay

Tifinity

I'm pretty sure you will make it

you are really dedicated !

wico216

Read all your post and I'm really impressed with your study pace.

Congratulations!

ratbuddy

Thanks

ratbuddy

Well, I'm starting my accounting degree in a few days. Since this is techexams and not accountingexams, I'm putting my new progress thread over on WGUstudents, at Second degree acceleration: Accounting in case anyone wonders about the acceleration and transition process, as well as the business degree itself

ratbuddy

Gonna update this thread rather than start a new one, because I have heard people ask how WGU grads fare in the job market, and I wanted to tie this in with my school thread. This is just my experience, yours will obviously vary.

I've been looking for a job for the past two weeks or so. Keeping an eye on Dice, Indeed, Careerbuilder, Craigslist, and Linkedin. About a week ago, a recruiter in Georgia with CDI Corporation contacted me about a possible position. I'll paste the description:

CDI wrote:

Job Summary/Scope of Position:
The Web Application Developer is responsible for designing, implementing and maintaining dynamic websites within a cross-functional team. The ideal candidate has the ability to work in a fast paced team environment, be familiar with PHP, database development and Object Orientated development, and have the ability to meet deadlines within a timely manner.

Responsibilities include but are not limited to:
• Create/maintain advanced web applications using primarily PHP
• Implement advanced web interfaces using XML, CSS and JavaScript
• Write high performing and highly optimized SQL schemas and queries
• Design and use standardized libraries including both internal and external APIs
• Research, compare and help select appropriate technology or solutions, including open source
• Developing and maintaining documentation of program development and subsequent revisions.
• Designing, running and monitoring software performance tests on new and existing programs.
• Collaborating with business units and end users to understand workflow processes and business requirements in order define feature specifications

Requirements & Qualifications:

Experience:
Minimum of 1-3 years of experience in web application development in a corporate environment. Previous experience developing in structured programming languages such as BASIC, COBOL, C/C++, etc is a plus

Skills, Knowledge & Abilities:
• Solid knowledge of PHP, MySQL, PostgreSQL, PERL, OOP, HTML, CSS, JavaScript and other web technologies
• Experience in version control systems, specifically SVN
• Familiarity with Linux command line tools
• Thorough understanding on how all aspects of the web and the web stack work
• Adheres to standards and procedures documents
• Ability to respond effectively to a rapidly changing business environment

Now, I would have considered myself underqualified, and told the recruiter that I wasn't sure I would be a good fit due to lack of experience. He encouraged me to give it a shot anyway. It turns out that the job is with a local company with an extraordinary reputation. Like, nice cafeteria, gym, roast their own coffee, nap rooms (wtf? really??), and on and on. Absolute top notch as far as work environment and perks.

I brushed up my resume, fired it off, and late last Thursday I was informed that I'd be interviewing for the position today at 10:00. "Suit up," they said, so I scrambled out to the cleaners Friday morning to drop off my suit for cleaning and pressing. I studied PHP on Lynda.com and lurked in #php on Freenode all weekend, since the WGU BSIT-Software program didn't cover PHP much (if at all, I can't recall if any of the CIW web certs included any PHP). I googled PHP interview questions, behavioral interview questions, and general developer interview questions.

None of the answers really helped to prepare me for the actual interview, but it was comforting to see that interviewing is just a normal experience that people go through when they apply for a job - I haven't had an interview in over a decade, so I was quite nervous.

This morning at 8:30, I left to pick up my suit at the cleaners and got dressed behind a curtain in the dry cleaner shop. I arrived at the interview at 9:40, let them know I was there, and settled in to wait. At a few minutes till 10, someone from HR invited me in, showed me around a little bit, gave me a water, and took me to a meeting room. I made a conscious effort to keep my hand out of my pocket so it would not be sweaty when I shook hands with people, and it worked, mostly.

There were none of those 'what is your biggest strength/weakness' cliche questions at all! Just a conversation about why I want to work in IT, how I liked WGU, and even a bit of talk about my paper routes I had as a kid. According to the HR person, having had a paper route is actually a plus in the eyes of a potential employer. I had no idea.

Next up was the CIO. Very nice guy, stellar track record, and his career is something that pretty closely matches my own goals. Started in the trenches, worked his way up to project and team management, finally CIO. He was very knowledgable, and also easy to talk tech-stuff with. A few times I gave answers like 'I don't know, but I would find out by...' and got positive feedback to the effect of 'good, we don't want someone who knows everything, but knowing how to find answers is valuable.' There was a tech quiz with about five questions each on HTML, CSS, PHP, JavaScript, SQL, Linux, and Perl. I think I got most of them right. They were about on par with the material you might find on a CIW exam.

All told, I was at the company for about an hour and a half, and left feeling pretty optimistic.

When I got home, I emailed my contact at CDI and asked where I could send a thank you note for the people I interviewed with. He had me email it to him so he could forward it to the HR rep and CIO. Not sure this step even happened before I got the phone call..

Same day offer, 18 month contract at $23/hour, with no prior professional IT experience whatsoever. The job will be mostly web-dev stuff, including a bunch of PHP and Perl, and when there isn't anything webby to work on, I'll be learning and hacking on their proprietary Linux-based ERP system. It's absolutely perfect for me, and I couldn't have hoped for a better opportunity. There are (IIRC) two senior developers with 15+ years experience, a middle-level developer, a few guys on help desk, and maybe one or two others in the department. You can bet I'm going to learn all I can from the experience.

The CIO mentioned the possiblity of converting to full employee if things work out, and while that would be great, I'm happy just to get this particular experience at this particular company on my resume. If I can pass muster and stay at least a couple years, I will be able to write my own ticket.

Was my WGU education worth it? You tell me. I'm starting next Monday, and I can't wait.

Now, to find time to keep working on my BS-Accounting.. 10 CU done, about 65 to go

anoeljr

Way to go man! That's awesome! Glad to hear of good things happening to good people.