The Home Stretch
Wednesday February 17, 2010 by Eric Allen
When I first arrived here at RPI, I met a number of students who were going crazy with their course work trying to double major, triple major, graduate in three years, get a B.S. and an M.S. in four years, or some other crazy goal. I, of course, was not crazy. I was going to take my time and enjoy college, completing a B.S. with one major in four years. I spent lots of time working on projects and participating in clubs like UPAC Sound, not to mention getting much better at skiing. I really did enjoy my freshman year at RPI. I was off to a good start.
That was then. Fast forward a couple of years, and I find myself racing for the finish line faster than I’d ever imagined. Somehow I’ve managed to line things up to graduate an entire year early, and I’m going for it. I’ve got an awesome job waiting for me in San Francisco at Sauce Labs that has me really excited. I’m even working for them part-time during my crazy final semester. To finish off my education at RPI, I’m taking 22 credits (the normal limit is 21, so I’m paying extra for the 22nd credit). I’m taking Advanced Computer Hardware Design, Capstone Design Experience, Basic Drawing, Professional Development II (and III), and an independent study with my favorite professor (to think I actually dropped his class two years ago!!). I’ve cut back to basically no club activity, though I am keeping up the skiing. Oh, and I’m participating in RCOS for the fourth semester running. Think that’s enough to keep me busy?
What changed? What turned me from the happy little freshman taking his time to the crazy workaholic I’m being now? Honestly, it’s a lot like my transition from high school to college. I’ve by no means exhausted the classes at RPI, and money isn’t really a problem. I have friends here, and I enjoy most of my time. So, then, what is going on? I just feel that it’s time for me to move on. College admissions departments didn’t seem to like that reasoning, but it’s one of the best life decisions I’ve made. I might have gotten into a more prestigious college if I’d stuck around for another year of high school, but I’ve gained so much over the last three years that it’s hard to argue against that choice. Now, I’m doing it again. I just feel like I’ve grown about as much as I’m going to grow here, and I see so much more opportunity to grow in the next stage of my life. I’ve grown an amazing amount over the last three years, and I’m looking forward to continuing that growth.
One thing I’ve wondered about off and on ever since I started college is whether my choice of major was right. I’m not a computer hardware designer, and I’m probably never going to be. I’m a software guy through and through. Why didn’t I choose Computer Science, then? Frankly, it’s because I don’t agree with the way Computer Science is taught at RPI. Looking back, though, I can’t help but wonder if CS would’ve been a better choice. I spend a lot of personal time learning what are essentially CS concepts, and I could have done that in the classroom instead. I’m convinced I made the right choice, though, for one reason: teamwork. Most software developers I’ve met are terrible at working with others. From what I’ve seen of CS curricula, teamwork is rarely emphasized, if it’s even done at all. RPI CS students get one class where they have to do much teamwork, while Engineering students (like me) get something like half a dozen teamwork opportunities. Heck, even my Economics class last semester involved a significant team project. Specific skills are easy to pick up, but meta-skills like teamwork are much harder to acquire. If teamwork were the only thing I’ve gotten out of my college experience (and it’s certainly not), it would still have been worth it. Thank you RPI for helping me learn how to work with other people!
A job!
Tuesday January 19, 2010 by Eric Allen
A little over a month ago I announced that I’m on track to graduate in May. Well, much has happened since then! A couple of weeks ago I signed on at Sauce Labs an awesome company in San Francisco doing automated web application testing. I am totally stoked to be starting there in June after I finish up at RPI. I’ll be doing some part-time work for them during the semester to get up to speed so I can hit the ground running in June. It’s an awesome team working on some really cool products that I feel lucky to be part of.
The next step is finding a place to live. I’ve done the commuter thing, even all the way from San Jose to San Francisco, a few times before, but this time I’m determined to live reasonably close to where I work. I’ve already started working out my personal budget, and mom is giving me a hand hunting for apartments. It’s too early to be signing leases, but I want to get an idea of the landscape. I’m thinking right now I’d prefer to live with at least one roommate, but my sister suggested getting a studio to myself. I’m still undecided, but I have a few months to think about it. I’m so excited to be living in San Francisco.
Between now and June I have a whirlwind of activity. First, I have to finish off the rest of the classes required for my degree. Then, there’s my independent study working on Computer.Build to satisfy the Computer Science I requirement. On top of that I’ll be doing RCOS for the third semester in a row. Somehow I’m finding a way to squeeze in part-time work for Sauce Labs, skiing, and time for my girlfriend in between everything else. Oh, and I’m taking Basic Drawing, too! It’s going to be a packed semester, but it’s worth it. I really feel like it’s time for me to move on from academic life and into the real world, and my path for the near future seems to be set. Onward!
Suggestions? [1]
Avatar: Does sustainability have to be static?
Wednesday December 23, 2009 by Eric Allen
Seeing Avatar last week re-ignited an internal conflict I’ve been struggling with for several years. First and foremost, I’m a geek, an engineer, a maker of things. I live on the cutting edge of Progress, driving it forward as fast as I can. On the other hand, I’m inclined to believe in circular time, and the idea of living in harmony with everything around me is really compelling. The two sides seem completely at odds to me, and I’ve yet to find a way to reconcile them.
The Na’vi are an indigenous species on the fictional planet Pandora in Avatar. The arboreal life on the planet is completely interconnected, and there seems to be some kind of global mind within it. The Na’vi are humanoid creatures capable of communicating with this global mind (called “Eywa”), and their purpose seems to be stewardship of all life on Pandora. Their society is clearly ancient, and they appear to be a fundamental component in the balance of life on Pandora. Where, then, would I fit in such a society?
My technological bent boils down to three things: I love learning, I love building, and I’m always trying to find opportunities for more efficiency. These attributes are fairly highly valued in Western society, but they seem to me completely at odds with the way of life for the Na’vi. When you’re adhering to ancient tradition in a culture that has remained unchanged for generations, there’s not much room for new knowledge. Things are artificial and unnatural—why do you need builders when nature provides everything for you? Efficiency creates economic surplus, which disrupts society and shifts norms. The way I see it, none of my fundamental strengths are compatible with Na’vi living.
Textiles are certainly a possibility, and I’ve been weaving since I was in kindergarten. Granted, the Na’vi don’t wear much in the way of clothing, but most indigenous humans need clothing. Weaving offers many of the same opportunities to me as, say, programming does, and it has the advantage of requiring no advanced technology. Give me wood, wool, and some tools to work the wood, and I can make you a blanket. Unfortunately for me, the Na’vi don’t appear to need much in the way of textiles. They wear minimal clothing, and their bodies seem perfectly adapted to their climate.
I could probably get into farming, but agriculture is arguably what got us into the mess we call modern civilization in the first place. I doubt a Na’vi society would be amenable to the development of farming, as it could easily disrupt the natural order of life. Agricultural surplus is the first step toward specialization, and hence craftsmen and eventually full-blown Progress. The ways of the Na’vi are not compatible with serious agriculture.
From what I saw in Avatar, the Na’vi don’t really make much of anything. They are active participants in nature, but everything they need is provided by the environment. Fundamentally, I am an agent of Progress, for better or for worse, and I don’t believe I could fit into a Na’vi society. Where does this leave me in human society? Assuming things continue along like they have for the past few decades, I’m set. I’ve got the skills, abilities, and knowledge to thrive in modern society, but I don’t know if that’s where I want to be. If I don’t believe Progress is an inherently good thing, how can I be a willing participant in the innovation engine that drives it?
Surprise!
Monday December 7, 2009 by Eric Allen
I went to RubyConf this year. As it so happened, the conference fell on the weekend before Thanksgiving, and only a few miles from my parents’ house! With a page of paperwork, I was officially excused from classes for Thursday, Friday, Monday, and Tuesday, and I moved forward with my surprise. I didn’t tell my parents I’d be home for Thanksgiving, and I showed up on their doorstep on the evening of the 18th. Much to my surprise, though, they weren’t home!! Mom was at work, and dad was staying in San Francisco for an early class the following day. What a surprise for me! Anyway, I had a great time in California spending time with my family and friends and catching up with my network.
Speaking of surprises, I’ve got one for you: I’m graduating this May. For those of you who’ve been counting, yes, that’s only three years from when I started. I’m a bit leery of making an announcement prematurely, but it’s time for me to commit. I’m doing RPI in three years. Why? Well, mostly because I can, but if you want more details you can get in touch with me directly. I’ll be taking some classes in January over Winter Break, and I should be completely done with my undergraduate education by May 2010. That means I suddenly find myself job hunting! Here I was looking for an internship this summer, and suddenly I’m staring down the barrel of getting a Real Job. Of course, my roots are in the San Francisco Bay Area, and it’s unlikely I’ll land anywhere else. I’m coming home!
