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Colin Jackson
4,829 PointsTreehouse profiles for job/internship applications
I'm looking to apply for jobs after I'm finished with my final year of college in a few weeks, but I don't have any formal computer science training (my university didn't allow students to take courses outside of their specific subjects). Still, talking to some of my CS friends I get the impression that the time I've spent on Treehouse and working on my own projects is similar to having taken about one or two entry-level computer science courses, and so I'm going to try as hard as I can to sneak into a software engineering internship, since I am absolutely in love with coding and I want to do this for the rest of my life.
Does anyone here have experience citing Treehouse profiles in job applications, and if so how were they received? Is there an easy way to explain the Treehouse point system? Am I completely misguided and pursuing a hopeless cause?
Any thoughts, suggestions, or personal experiences are greatly appreciated!
2 Answers
Stone Preston
42,016 PointsId probably include a link to your profile but I wouldnt mention/worry about the points at all. I would focus on communicating what you have learned on TTH. What core concepts did you learn etc. The points dont really mean much in my opinion.
It looks like you have some iOS experience. I would try and sell that hard. the HTML and CSS might not mean that much in a software engineering internship. Point out that you are very familiar with OOP concepts, delegation, MVC etc. I would try and create an original app to prove you can actually use what you learned that you can put on your resume. Maybe contribute to some open source projects as well. Being active in the TTH forum would also look nice, and you would probably learn some more stuff as well.
You might also pick up a book on data structures and read that. You probably have all the programming basics down, which is what would be covered in the first 2 into to programming courses at most universities (usually you have a functional programming course first then an OOP course second) The 3rd course is usually a data structures course, which TTH does not really go into detail on.
Colin Jackson
4,829 PointsThanks for your detailed response! This is all very helpful. I have an application in the works that's on hold for exams, so I think I'll prioritize finishing it after exams are over, and then it can serve as a tangible example that I at least know enough to put together something that was accepted by the App Store.
If you've got time, would you happen to have any recommendations for good beginner-to-intermediate level books on data structures?
Rashaad Prince
7,129 PointsYes, definitely an awesome response ! I'm pasting this on my wall later today :-)
rayorke
27,709 PointsI agree with Stone Preston. While points are nice, they are best used to measure your own progress here at Treehouse. A portfolio of work will speak volumes over a CS degree or any other piece of paper. You'll have to show that you know the theory behind application development and how it's applied. You can demonstrate this through posting project code on Github, or by creating your own mobile and desktop applications.
Also, Treehouse's new section on Career Resources is very helpful.
Colin Jackson
4,829 PointsThanks Rhys; hadn't seen the Career Resources section until now!
Rashaad Prince
7,129 PointsRashaad Prince
7,129 PointsGreat question dude.