I currently work as a software engineer and have around ~15 years of experience. My current job is not bad and the technologies I work are current and emerging ones. I do actively spend time keeping tab on changing trends, and to keep pace with them. But I feel that my learning is shallow. Though I get a hang of new things I am not able to devote enough time (job/family commitments, commute etc.) to focus and develop depth in some of the areas I am interested in.
With an intent of improving my tech chops I am thinking of a taking a break of around ~6 months (leave the current job and look for a new one after ~6 months).
During this period I plan to improve my tech skills with focus towards distributed systems. At the end of my break I look forward to work in
developing solutions that involve distributed systems or work in setup, management, and monitoring of complex distributed systems (dev OPS role).
Here is a list of things I intend to focus during my break:
-- refresh/study datastructures, algorithms
-- learn a new programming language (thinking of Go, Rust)
-- learn a functional programming language (thinking of Erlang, or Haskell)
-- contribute to an open source project (currently I don't have any list/idea about ones I can look at)
-- get familiar with *nix internals
-- get a basic understanding of web security
-- A few MOOCs here and there
-- Read SICP (and similar texts).
(I am skeptical about SICP goal as I don't have a reading group to discuss things I study. I am afraid that reading alone with no discussion/feedback I will fall into the trap thinking that I have understood the topic despite gaps in my understanding.)
Given my intent I am requesting suggestions from HNers about the best possible ways to make effective use of the break I am planning for. Any other related suggestions are most welcome.
PS: I am currently based out of Bangalore
Thanks in advance.
With an intent of improving my tech chops I am thinking of a taking a break of around ~6 months (leave the current job and look for a new one after ~6 months).
During this period I plan to improve my tech skills with focus towards distributed systems. At the end of my break I look forward to work in developing solutions that involve distributed systems or work in setup, management, and monitoring of complex distributed systems (dev OPS role).
Here is a list of things I intend to focus during my break:
(I am skeptical about SICP goal as I don't have a reading group to discuss things I study. I am afraid that reading alone with no discussion/feedback I will fall into the trap thinking that I have understood the topic despite gaps in my understanding.)Given my intent I am requesting suggestions from HNers about the best possible ways to make effective use of the break I am planning for. Any other related suggestions are most welcome.
PS: I am currently based out of Bangalore
Thanks in advance.