Conrad Blog:

in paris

Grad School

I've been wondering what the next step is going to be for me. After so much build-up towards getting a "real job" (and finally getting one), it's been nice to sit back and sort of adjust to that and enjoy it a bit. But in about four months I will have been here for a year, and I'm the kind of person that constantly wants to better himself, so I'm wondering what form my next step or few steps will take.

I'm not talking about changing jobs, its too soon for that by a couple years and I really like the one I've got - so why risk a crappier one with no potential for gain? I'm talking about things like certifications, advanced degrees, and career direction. Defining exactly what your next goal should be is as tricky as it is important, but finally having worked a while I feel like I'm better equipped to make those sorts of decisions now.

Things I've decided: I'm going to get the Microsoft Certified Web Developer cert. There are two tests for this, and I'm about half way through studying for the first. Also, I'm moving away from web design and toward more of a straight Software Engineer position professionally. At the same time that happens, I want to start doing some more freelance web development work, which will allow me to be creative with design without me having to dedicate my career to it. I'm just more interested in the "codey" aspects of software, and there's less of a ceiling on the SE side of things.

Things I haven't decided: A lot. MBA? Grad school for CS? And would grad school be local night classes after work, or would I try to get in to the best one possible and take off work for two years while I study? Also, where do I want to be in CS? The finance world is basically taking data, doing minimal manipulation, and outputting it. What about scientific or think-tank-type cs? physics modeling, etc? THAT would require a phd. and perhaps luck. And of course, there's the important question of how to make yourself outsource-proof.

From slashdot:
"Grad school is the snooze bar on the alarm clock of life."

I like that. While I'm not making any decisions for the immediate future (I'm pretty happy with what I got going on right now), it's good to be thinking about these things.... my subconscious knows a lot more about what I really want than my conscious does. Are other people (esp. recent grads) feeling similar things? What are you doing in response to those thoughts?

Happy Birthday, Helvetica!

Helvetica Turns 50

Man I love type. I am going down the road of the typography snob, and I ain't comin back!

Oh, and yeah i would like legislation banning comic sans. I'd vote for that guy.

Song-A-Week: Featuring Dan Kordik

Cheating again, but you didn't really think i'd whip something up today, did you? You did? Well, you'd be sorely mistaken.

This is the work of the Marvelous Dan Kordik. You may be familiar with his work over at Raindrop Virus Party. Here's his remix of my old song "Death of a Dream."

Death of a Dream - Department of Defense Remix

This is a work in progress for Dan. He's not happy with the way the drums are still in the vocals sometimes (he only had the stereo mix to work with) and how that discombobulates it. Perhaps we will hear of an updated version soon!

Oh, CRAP!

Dang i forgot to do a song today and now i'm pretttttty tired. Look for a b-side or demo or something tomorrow evening...

On a side note, Kristin and I are leaving for PARIS on THURSDAY - so there won't be song-a-weeks for the next two (i think) weekends unless something very odd happens. In their place, however, will be stories and photos from abroad, so stay tuned!