Practice The Interview Skills We've Discussed In Clas 550069

Practice the interview skills that we've discussed in class

Practice the interview skills that we've discussed in class. Interview a fellow student and then write a report that presents information and recommendations to your readers. This project consists of an Interview Report (preliminary draft and final draft). Audience (1) Faculty members who want to understand the needs and challenges of students in the same major as your interviewee OR (2) New students in the same major as your interviewee. Purpose The reader is looking for information about the primary concerns and challenges of students in the same major as the interviewee. Your position statement will be something like "my interview with ________ provides insights that will help faculty to support students" OR "my interview with ________ provides insights that you should be aware of as a new student in this major." Your goal is to provide this information and to make recommendations for next steps. Length Guide 600 words minimum plus Works Cited Suggested Questions for the Interview Before you conduct the interview, determine what types of information you would like from your subject. Use the below questions to help guide this preparation. Personal Details · What is your name & how do you spell it? Autumn Scaife · What is your major? computer science · What is your academic classification (freshman, sophomore, etc.)? Junior · How many years have you been attending UNT? 3 years General Details · What do you like about this major? I like the versatility and how many different opportunities can come from knowing how to code. I also like the problem solving aspect of programming itself. · What do you like about this academic department at UNT? The professors are very engaged and helpful. There are many clubs and groups that are there to help you be successful no matter your background or level of knowledge. · What do you dislike about the major or the department? There’s not much versatility in the languages offered unless it is an elective. It’s centered around C++, while I wish we learned python or java early on as well. · What are the most important things that a student can do to be successful in this major? Do not procrastinate and take the work seriously. Also do not be afraid to reach out for help because there are many resources for you. · Is there anything that you wish the faculty would do differently? I wish they would either have the option to learn a different language in the beginning, or require knowledge of at least 2. Physical Environment · Where are classes held? Lectures are in a classroom while labs are usually in a computer lab. Both on campus usually with little online classes offered. · What are the classrooms like? (seating, size, equipment, etc.) more introductory classes are larger, while the more advanced are smaller with more room. If it is a lab, a computer is provided for you. · Are there any challenges related to the classroom environment? In the introductory classes, they are more filled up and don’t have much room. I have been in a class where there was not enough seats to handle the class size so people had to either bring in a chair or sit on the floor. Department and Classes · Think of a class that you had recently in this major. What was the title of the class, and what types of activities and assignments did it consist of? CSCE 2110, foundations of computing, we had group projects of about 3 or 4 and had to learn how to work together as a group. · Was that class typical of classes in this major? Why or why not? yes, most classes revolve around large projects and a lot of time spent coding outside the classroom. Although that is the first time we did group work. · Is there a lot of writing in the courses in this major? What types of writing do you do? Not much writing essays but instead writing in the form of code. · Are there a lot of exams? What are they typically like? In my experience it depends on the class. I’ve had written exams as well as exams where they test your coding knowledge and have you complete a code in a certain time period. · How much time do students need to study each week for a typical class in this major? Writing codes usually takes a while, especially for more advanced classes. I would give yourself at least 2 hours every week day for planning, coding, and debugging for a typical 2 week coding assignment. · Do you have any advice about classes to take or to avoid in this major? There’s not much flexibility except for electives which I have not taken yet, so I do not have advice at this time. · Are there any types of classes that AREN'T offered but should be? I think python is really important to learn and wish they offered a class solely to learn it. Challenges and Opportunities · What challenges would you say are most common for students in this major? Not procrastinating, letting yourself work bit by bit rather than trying to get it all done last minute. · Do you have any advice about getting involved in any social aspects of this major? (for example, departmental activities, student organizations) there are many different clubs that are offered for this major. They are also interest specific. Putting yourself out there and trying different clubs for your interest are important. · Are there any special opportunities available to students in this major? (for example, research projects, study abroad.) yes, I was an exchange student last semester and got to study computer science in thailand. · If you could ask the faculty to make a big change—no limits, anything goes—what would you ask them to change? Let there be different paths you can take. Other schools let you choose if you want to be java or c++ based in your studies while we only get to choose c++ · Based on your experiences, what advice do you have for students about this major? To actually like the major and like what you are doing. Stay on time and don’t procrastinate while letting yourself have a social life as well. Make your experience good and don’t let this major be the only thing you experience or else you will experience burn out.

Paper For Above instruction

The interview with Autumn Scaife, a junior studying computer science at the University of North Texas (UNT), offers valuable insights into the experiences, challenges, and opportunities faced by students within this major. Her perspectives provide guidance for faculty members aiming to better support students and for new students embarking on their academic journey, emphasizing the importance of curriculum flexibility, practical engagement, and social involvement in fostering a successful educational experience.

Autumn praises the versatility and problem-solving nature of computer science, highlighting its potential to open numerous career paths and intellectual challenges. She appreciates the engaged and helpful nature of faculty members and the support provided through various student clubs, which are instrumental in student success regardless of background or prior knowledge. However, she also voices a desire for curriculum adjustments, specifically advocating for early exposure to multiple programming languages, such as Python and Java, alongside C++. She suggests that a broader language offering could better prepare students and diversify their skill sets from the outset.

Classroom environments at UNT generally consist of large lecture halls for introductory courses and smaller labs for more advanced classes, with limited online options. Autumn notes a challenge in large classes where space is limited, sometimes forcing students to sit on the floor or bring their own chairs. Despite these logistical issues, hands-on labs where students are provided with computers enhance the learning experience. Her recent class, CSCE 2110, involved group projects emphasizing collaboration skills, which she found to be typical of the major, where teamwork and hands-on coding dominate the coursework.

In terms of coursework, Autumn highlights that most classes involve extensive coding outside of scheduled classes, with assessments including both written exams and practical coding tests. She recommends reserving at least two hours daily for coding, debugging, and planning, especially for intensive assignments spanning two weeks. She also notes that the curriculum is somewhat rigid, with limited elective options that could otherwise offer more personalized learning paths. One potential addition she advocates for is a dedicated course in Python, which she believes is crucial for modern programming but is currently lacking in the curriculum.

Challenges identified by Autumn include procrastination, which hampers effective learning and project completion, and the need for students to manage their time efficiently. She advises students to engage in departmental clubs and organizations to enhance their social experience, stressing the importance of putting oneself out there and exploring different interest groups such as women in computing or cybersecurity clubs. Her involvement in an international exchange program in Thailand demonstrates the importance of broadening one’s perspective through global opportunities, which enrich students' academic and personal growth.

Regarding curriculum improvements, Autumn advocates for multiple academic pathways that align with diverse career goals, specifically allowing students to decide whether their focus is on Java or C++, as other institutions do. Her overall advice emphasizes that students should genuinely enjoy their major, be punctual, avoid procrastination, and balance their academic pursuits with a healthy social life to prevent burnout. Her insights underscore the importance of proactive engagement, curriculum flexibility, and global experience as essential elements for success in the computer science major at UNT.

References

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