[nfbcs] Research
Amanda Lacy
lacy925 at gmail.com
Sun Feb 26 17:31:20 UTC 2017
> How long have you been in your current job? Maybe it's time for a change.
I've done some contract work and am working on a couple of projects,
but I'm still searching for my first job. People at UT Austin made
several assumptions about what type of job it should be without
discussing it with me or thinking their assumptions through.
Examples:
My living expenses are very low and the chances I'll start a family
are zero. Why is earning 80k a year better than 60k if the 60k job is
less stressful? After my school experience I value predictability and
stability. The assumption seems to be that I want high risk with the
possibility of a huge monetary reward. But again, I took programming
courses because they were fun and offered me a career path, not
because I wanted to become a stressed-out millionaire.
I've lived in Austin for more than 12 years and I'm 30, not 22. Why
would I want to move across the continent (especially if there are
jobs right here) and leave behind everyone and everything I have ever
known?
No one could really answer these questions once I posed them.
Honestly, I'm not sure what an entry-level job should look like or
what my choices are.
Amanda
on 4/17, John Heim via nfbcs <nfbcs at nfbnet.org> wrote:
> It sounds to me as if you just need some confidence. My experience is
> that often if someone thinks they can't do a job, it's the job, not the
> person. Truely incompetant people usually think they're doing fine. How
> long have you been in your current job? Maybe it's time for a change.
>
>
> On 02/24/2017 03:55 PM, Amanda Lacy via nfbcs wrote:
>>> I don't understand your question. Are you saying that you feel your
>>> education was inadequate or are you saying that being blind, you fell
>>> that you couldn't cash in on having a CS degree?
>>
>> Probably both, but mostly the latter. I tend to assume that everyone
>> around me knows some key piece of information that I'm missing because
>> this has been my experience many times. At UT Austin almost all key
>> information is spread through word of mouth.
>>
>>> It may not be directly relevant to your point but I would add that there
>>> certainly are easier ways for a blind person to get by in life than
>>> getting a CS degree and fighting with computers every day. It isn't
>>> easy. But for some people, that's what they like about it. Being someone
>>> who thrives on challenges is a valuable trait for anyone who works with
>>> computers but especially for a blind person.
>>
>> Fighting with computers is one thing, with people a very different
>> thing. People are usually more confusing than computers.
>>
>> On 2/24/17, John Heim via nfbcs <nfbcs at nfbnet.org> wrote:
>>> I don't understand your question. Are you saying that you feel your
>>> education was inadequate or are you saying that being blind, you fell
>>> that you couldn't cash in on having a CS degree?
>>>
>>> It may not be directly relevant to your point but I would add that there
>>> certainly are easier ways for a blind person to get by in life than
>>> getting a CS degree and fighting with computers every day. It isn't
>>> easy. But for some people, that's what they like about it. Being someone
>>> who thrives on challenges is a valuable trait for anyone who works with
>>> computers but especially for a blind person.
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> On 02/24/2017 12:47 PM, Amanda Lacy via nfbcs wrote:
>>>> I wasn't arguing that a CS degree generally isn't worth it. But if I
>>>> technically have a CS degree but I missed out on most of the benefits
>>>> it was supposed to bring, am I truly prepared or qualified for these
>>>> jobs that require CS degrees?
>>>>
>>>> On 2/24/17, John Heim via nfbcs <nfbcs at nfbnet.org> wrote:
>>>>> The issue of the value of a degree has come up before on this list. In
>>>>> my capacity as President of IAVIT, I've talked to IT managers about
>>>>> this
>>>>> before. I happened to be on a run with a group of guys a couple of
>>>>> weeks
>>>>> ago. One of them was the manager of an IT department for a company with
>>>>> maybe a hundred employees in a handful of states.
>>>>> I brought up this issue about some blind people thinking a degree isn't
>>>>> worth it. He was, in turn, shocked, amused, then horrified. First he
>>>>> expressed surprise, then he made a little joke. Then when I explained
>>>>> it
>>>>> really was controversial, he was horrified. He said essentially that a
>>>>> blind person already has such an uphill battle that you really don't
>>>>> need to add not having a degree on top of it. He said they get so many
>>>>> applications for entry level positions that they don't need to bother
>>>>> with people who don't have a degree in CS or related field. They don't
>>>>> even bother with people who don't have degrees for a lot of mid-level
>>>>> positions.
>>>>>
>>>>> So I asked him, "Which would be worse, having a misspelling on your
>>>>> resume or not having a degree?" He said, "You know, quite honestly, the
>>>>> degree would be a bigger problem.
>>>>>
>>>>> Having a degree so greatly expands the number of positions you qualify
>>>>> for that is absolutely worth it especially for a blind person.
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>> On 02/24/2017 06:31 AM, Joseph C. Lininger via nfbcs wrote:
>>>>>> Amanda,
>>>>>> Worth while is the point I'm disagreeing with you on. Pretty much any
>>>>>> degree is "doable", but as you point out with some there's no point
>>>>>> because you won't be able to learn or do anything with that degree
>>>>>> once
>>>>>> you finish. That doesn't just apply to blind people either; there are
>>>>>> worthless degrees out there.
>>>>>>
>>>>>> What I am arguing is that it is in fact worth while. I studied
>>>>>> computer
>>>>>> science at a couple of schools. In both cases, I was able to learn the
>>>>>> material and I was able to complete most of the course work. There
>>>>>> were
>>>>>> a couple of situations where I needed some extra help, and there were
>>>>>> a
>>>>>> couple of major assignments I can remember where the professor had me
>>>>>> do
>>>>>> an alternative assignment. In those cases, it wasn't because I
>>>>>> couldn't
>>>>>> do the work in question, it was because the visual aspects weren't the
>>>>>> point of the assignment and I could get the same information by doing
>>>>>> something else.
>>>>>>
>>>>>> As for whether the degree is worth while from a career perspective,
>>>>>> well, you can have quite a lengthy discussion on that particular
>>>>>> question. As someone who has worked in the field for years, both with
>>>>>> and without a CS degree, what I will say about it is this. If you want
>>>>>> to work in the computer science field, as in the deep technical
>>>>>> aspects
>>>>>> of it and not just as a network admin or help desk rep or something
>>>>>> like
>>>>>> that, you almost have to have a computer science degree these days. It
>>>>>> is possible to get hired as a software developer or other highly
>>>>>> technical job without the degree, but it is not easy and the best jobs
>>>>>> go to those with the degree.
>>>>>>
>>>>>> --
>>>>>> Joe
>>>>>>
>>>>>> On 2/23/2017 13:34, Amanda Lacy via nfbcs wrote:
>>>>>>> Joe,
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> I agree that it's doable. Whether it's worthwhile is another
>>>>>>> question.
>>>>>>> I transferred to UT Austin because I loved programming and learning.
>>>>>>> Once there, I spent much more time struggling with access than I
>>>>>>> spent
>>>>>>> programming or learning.
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> On 2/22/17, Joseph C. Lininger via nfbcs <nfbcs at nfbnet.org> wrote:
>>>>>>>> Amanda,
>>>>>>>> I have to disagree. I currently have an under grad degree in CS, and
>>>>>>>> I
>>>>>>>> am working on a Ph.D. I am also employed full time as a computer
>>>>>>>> scientist. There are some issues the blind will experience with
>>>>>>>> technical degrees that are unique to those degrees, but it's
>>>>>>>> definitely
>>>>>>>> doable.
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> --
>>>>>>>> Joe
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> On 2/22/2017 12:13, Amanda Lacy via nfbcs wrote:
>>>>>>>>> I have a CS degree. I cannot in good conscience recommend it to
>>>>>>>>> other
>>>>>>>>> blind students unless they accept that they will experience a lot
>>>>>>>>> of
>>>>>>>>> hurt. I don't have satisfying answers to most of your questions.
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>> On 2/21/17, Michael via nfbcs <nfbcs at nfbnet.org> wrote:
>>>>>>>>>> Hello Andy,
>>>>>>>>>> Thank you for your response. Before answering your questions, I
>>>>>>>>>> will
>>>>>>>>>> preface
>>>>>>>>>> my response that this project is entirely predicated on ensuring
>>>>>>>>>> other
>>>>>>>>>> blind
>>>>>>>>>> students, who may be considering computer science, do not do what
>>>>>>>>>> I
>>>>>>>>>> did;
>>>>>>>>>> namely, believing that blind people cannot do computer science.
>>>>>>>>>> Now, your
>>>>>>>>>> questions:
>>>>>>>>>> (1) No University, community college, or vocational school is
>>>>>>>>>> funding
>>>>>>>>>> this;
>>>>>>>>>> this is an assignment that I have received on behalf of the
>>>>>>>>>> Louisiana
>>>>>>>>>> Center
>>>>>>>>>> for the Blind (LCB) for my technology class.
>>>>>>>>>> (2) I graduated from the University of Nevada, Reno, this past
>>>>>>>>>> December
>>>>>>>>>> with
>>>>>>>>>> an Honors B.A. in Philosophy with an emphasis in logic,
>>>>>>>>>> metaphysics, and
>>>>>>>>>> epistemology.
>>>>>>>>>> (3) This guide will serve to educate prospective computer science
>>>>>>>>>> students
>>>>>>>>>> who are blind. When I was in high school, I was extremely
>>>>>>>>>> interested in
>>>>>>>>>> doing computer science. I was told that blind people could not do
>>>>>>>>>> computer
>>>>>>>>>> science; mistakenly, I believed this to be true and thus proceeded
>>>>>>>>>> into
>>>>>>>>>> the
>>>>>>>>>> liberal arts. If I can provide clarity to other students thinking
>>>>>>>>>> about
>>>>>>>>>> computer science, or elucidate blind students when it comes to the
>>>>>>>>>> copasity
>>>>>>>>>> of blind people, I would be very happy. As it stands, the only
>>>>>>>>>> place
>>>>>>>>>> I
>>>>>>>>>> know
>>>>>>>>>> for sure this research will end up is the national Association of
>>>>>>>>>> Blind
>>>>>>>>>> Students website, as I sit on the board and can make that happen.
>>>>>>>>>> Otherwise,
>>>>>>>>>> I have no idea.
>>>>>>>>>> (4) This is true. I did not make this anonimis. If people are
>>>>>>>>>> willing to
>>>>>>>>>> answer, I would be very happy, and will of course cite you, or not
>>>>>>>>>> cite
>>>>>>>>>> you,
>>>>>>>>>> depending on your permission. If people are not willing to, I
>>>>>>>>>> totally
>>>>>>>>>> understand that as well.
>>>>>>>>>> I hope I was able to address your concerns.
>>>>>>>>>> For anyone else who wishes to help me out, you can email your
>>>>>>>>>> responses
>>>>>>>>>> to
>>>>>>>>>> my email (mausbun at nevada.unr.edu) or, if you feel confortible,
>>>>>>>>>> just
>>>>>>>>>> responding to this thread.
>>>>>>>>>> Thank you again for all your attention and time!
>>>>>>>>>> Respectfully,
>>>>>>>>>> Michael Ausbun
>>>>>>>>>> Vice President, National Federation of the Blind of Nevada.
>>>>>>>>>> Secretary, National Association of blind Students
>>>>>>>>>> Student, The Louisiana Center for the Blind
>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>> -----Original Message-----
>>>>>>>>>> From: nfbcs [mailto:nfbcs-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Andy B.
>>>>>>>>>> via
>>>>>>>>>> nfbcs
>>>>>>>>>> Sent: Tuesday, February 21, 2017 2:24 PM
>>>>>>>>>> To: 'NFB in Computer Science Mailing List' <nfbcs at nfbnet.org>
>>>>>>>>>> Cc: Andy B. <sonfire11 at gmail.com>
>>>>>>>>>> Subject: Re: [nfbcs] Research
>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>> I am interested in answering these questions. However, you never
>>>>>>>>>> displayed
>>>>>>>>>> your credentials or qualifications in the subject. What school is
>>>>>>>>>> funding
>>>>>>>>>> this study? Where did you graduate and with what degree? What do
>>>>>>>>>> you
>>>>>>>>>> intend
>>>>>>>>>> on doing with the guide when it is finished? The results of this
>>>>>>>>>> survey
>>>>>>>>>> are
>>>>>>>>>> not anonymous. Therefore, people might be hesitant.
>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>> -----Original Message-----
>>>>>>>>>> From: nfbcs [mailto:nfbcs-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Michael
>>>>>>>>>> via
>>>>>>>>>> nfbcs
>>>>>>>>>> Sent: Tuesday, February 21, 2017 2:45 PM
>>>>>>>>>> To: 'NFB in Computer Science Mailing List' <nfbcs at nfbnet.org>
>>>>>>>>>> Cc: Michael <mausbun at nevada.unr.edu>
>>>>>>>>>> Subject: [nfbcs] Research
>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>> Hello All:
>>>>>>>>>> My name is Michael Ausbun, and I am currently a student at the
>>>>>>>>>> Louisiana
>>>>>>>>>> Center for the Blind. I am conducting research, to develop a
>>>>>>>>>> comprehensive
>>>>>>>>>> guide for prospective computer science students. I would much
>>>>>>>>>> appreciate
>>>>>>>>>> it
>>>>>>>>>> if you would take some time and answer the following questions.
>>>>>>>>>> Thank you for your attention in this matter.
>>>>>>>>>> Respectfully,
>>>>>>>>>> Michael Ausbun
>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>> Research questions:
>>>>>>>>>> Advocacy:
>>>>>>>>>> (1) What accommodations do you believe were most beneficial to
>>>>>>>>>> you in
>>>>>>>>>> completing your degree?
>>>>>>>>>> (2) What accommodation(s) were necessary when completing visual
>>>>>>>>>> components
>>>>>>>>>> of one’s degree requirements?
>>>>>>>>>> (3) In what ways have you advocated for the modification of
>>>>>>>>>> materials to
>>>>>>>>>> ensure equal access for yourself or future computer science
>>>>>>>>>> students?
>>>>>>>>>> (4) What is the most important question(s) a computer science
>>>>>>>>>> student
>>>>>>>>>> should
>>>>>>>>>> ask their instructors before and during a selected course of
>>>>>>>>>> study?
>>>>>>>>>> (5) Are there any Universities, companies, or organizations who
>>>>>>>>>> have been
>>>>>>>>>> greater benefactors?
>>>>>>>>>> Academics:
>>>>>>>>>> (1) How much math and science is necessary for a person to be
>>>>>>>>>> successful
>>>>>>>>>> within the computer science field.
>>>>>>>>>> (2) In general, are materials accessible with access
>>>>>>>>>> technology?
>>>>>>>>>> (3) What are some effective, and somewhat universal, techniques
>>>>>>>>>> for
>>>>>>>>>> manipulating and writing computer languages?
>>>>>>>>>> (4) In what ways did your assignments get modified, to
>>>>>>>>>> establish
>>>>>>>>>> equal
>>>>>>>>>> access to all requirements?
>>>>>>>>>> (5) What are some effective ways for designing accessible
>>>>>>>>>> algorithms and
>>>>>>>>>> data structures?
>>>>>>>>>> (6) When developing a portfolio, did you find an accessible way
>>>>>>>>>> of
>>>>>>>>>> publicly
>>>>>>>>>> displaying your code, or for hosting your portfolio?
>>>>>>>>>> (7) After publishing your code, what methods do you use to
>>>>>>>>>> ensure the
>>>>>>>>>> visible code is visually appealing or readable?
>>>>>>>>>> (8) Are there any courses you might recommend to take in high
>>>>>>>>>> school to
>>>>>>>>>> prepare someone going into the computer science field?
>>>>>>>>>> (9) Besides the source work required to obtain your degree,
>>>>>>>>>> what
>>>>>>>>>> additional
>>>>>>>>>> course work might you recommend to enhance one’s employment
>>>>>>>>>> effectiveness?
>>>>>>>>>> Access technology:
>>>>>>>>>> (1) What access technology gave you the greatest degree of
>>>>>>>>>> opportunity to
>>>>>>>>>> compete on an equal playing field with your peers?
>>>>>>>>>> (2) What challenges did access technology present when
>>>>>>>>>> interacting with
>>>>>>>>>> the
>>>>>>>>>> technology required to complete tasks and assignments for your
>>>>>>>>>> computer
>>>>>>>>>> science degree or profession?
>>>>>>>>>> (3) What role does access technology play in the completion of
>>>>>>>>>> your daily
>>>>>>>>>> assignments or tasks?
>>>>>>>>>> (4) How might modifications to standard technology create more
>>>>>>>>>> opportunity
>>>>>>>>>> for usability with access technology?
>>>>>>>>>> General technology:
>>>>>>>>>> (1) In what ways is the general technology inaccessible when
>>>>>>>>>> paired with
>>>>>>>>>> access technology? Are there any work arounds for these issues?
>>>>>>>>>> (2) What sort of accommodations are necessary for the use of
>>>>>>>>>> most general
>>>>>>>>>> technology used in this field of study or profession?
>>>>>>>>>> (3) Can standard tasks be completed on a unit without extensive
>>>>>>>>>> modification
>>>>>>>>>> or accommodations?
>>>>>>>>>> Does most technology come ready to use? Are there ways to increase
>>>>>>>>>> one’s
>>>>>>>>>> productivity when using Python JavaScript C++ swift and racket,
>>>>>>>>>> and
>>>>>>>>>> integrated development environments (IDEs)—such as CodeLite,
>>>>>>>>>> Eclipse,
>>>>>>>>>> NetBeans, VisualWX, Xcode, and KDevelop?
>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>> _______________________________________________
>>>>>>>>>> nfbcs mailing list
>>>>>>>>>> nfbcs at nfbnet.org
>>>>>>>>>> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nfbcs_nfbnet.org
>>>>>>>>>> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info
>>>>>>>>>> for
>>>>>>>>>> nfbcs:
>>>>>>>>>> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/nfbcs_nfbnet.org/sonfire11%40gmail.com
>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>> _______________________________________________
>>>>>>>>>> nfbcs mailing list
>>>>>>>>>> nfbcs at nfbnet.org
>>>>>>>>>> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nfbcs_nfbnet.org
>>>>>>>>>> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info
>>>>>>>>>> for
>>>>>>>>>> nfbcs:
>>>>>>>>>> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/nfbcs_nfbnet.org/mausbun%40nevada.unr.edu
>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>> _______________________________________________
>>>>>>>>>> nfbcs mailing list
>>>>>>>>>> nfbcs at nfbnet.org
>>>>>>>>>> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nfbcs_nfbnet.org
>>>>>>>>>> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info
>>>>>>>>>> for
>>>>>>>>>> nfbcs:
>>>>>>>>>> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/nfbcs_nfbnet.org/lacy925%40gmail.com
>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>> _______________________________________________
>>>>>>>>> nfbcs mailing list
>>>>>>>>> nfbcs at nfbnet.org
>>>>>>>>> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nfbcs_nfbnet.org
>>>>>>>>> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info
>>>>>>>>> for
>>>>>>>>> nfbcs:
>>>>>>>>> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/nfbcs_nfbnet.org/devnull-nfbcs%40pcdesk.net
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> _______________________________________________
>>>>>>>> nfbcs mailing list
>>>>>>>> nfbcs at nfbnet.org
>>>>>>>> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nfbcs_nfbnet.org
>>>>>>>> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info
>>>>>>>> for
>>>>>>>> nfbcs:
>>>>>>>> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/nfbcs_nfbnet.org/lacy925%40gmail.com
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> _______________________________________________
>>>>>>> nfbcs mailing list
>>>>>>> nfbcs at nfbnet.org
>>>>>>> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nfbcs_nfbnet.org
>>>>>>> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for
>>>>>>> nfbcs:
>>>>>>> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/nfbcs_nfbnet.org/devnull-nfbcs%40pcdesk.net
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>> _______________________________________________
>>>>>> nfbcs mailing list
>>>>>> nfbcs at nfbnet.org
>>>>>> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nfbcs_nfbnet.org
>>>>>> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for
>>>>>> nfbcs:
>>>>>> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/nfbcs_nfbnet.org/john%40johnheim.com
>>>>>
>>>>> _______________________________________________
>>>>> nfbcs mailing list
>>>>> nfbcs at nfbnet.org
>>>>> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nfbcs_nfbnet.org
>>>>> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for
>>>>> nfbcs:
>>>>> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/nfbcs_nfbnet.org/lacy925%40gmail.com
>>>>>
>>>>
>>>> _______________________________________________
>>>> nfbcs mailing list
>>>> nfbcs at nfbnet.org
>>>> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nfbcs_nfbnet.org
>>>> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for
>>>> nfbcs:
>>>> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/nfbcs_nfbnet.org/john%40johnheim.com
>>>>
>>>
>>> _______________________________________________
>>> nfbcs mailing list
>>> nfbcs at nfbnet.org
>>> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nfbcs_nfbnet.org
>>> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for
>>> nfbcs:
>>> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/nfbcs_nfbnet.org/lacy925%40gmail.com
>>>
>>
>> _______________________________________________
>> nfbcs mailing list
>> nfbcs at nfbnet.org
>> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nfbcs_nfbnet.org
>> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for
>> nfbcs:
>> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/nfbcs_nfbnet.org/john%40johnheim.com
>>
>
> _______________________________________________
> nfbcs mailing list
> nfbcs at nfbnet.org
> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nfbcs_nfbnet.org
> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for nfbcs:
> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/nfbcs_nfbnet.org/lacy925%40gmail.com
>
More information about the NFBCS
mailing list