Ask HN: Advice for a final year Comp Sci student (Getting into Google,FB,MS)
I am in the final year of my Computer Science course in a reputable college. I have above average intelligence and am willing to work hard. The thing is, I haven't spent the last 3 years of college wisely. I do love computer science and programming, but simply slacked off these last 3 years. A couple of my direct seniors in college got hired by facebook and about 6 of them by Microsoft during campus interviews. I feel guilty for wasting all this time and for not utilising my potential. Many of my friends have been coding on TopCoder and similar websites while I have done nothing... Apart from this, I have quite a load in the upcoming year with my final year project for which my professor results in terms of publication in some top-journal.
Anyway,
What advise do you have for me? I have about 3-4 months from MS interview and about 8 months from Facebook. Google doesn't come to my campus, but I hope to make it through the online application. Is this sufficient time? What should my study plan be like? I know it's subjective, but how good do I need to be?
P.S - I have ordered the CLRS (Introduction to algorithms) & Algorithm Design Manual from Amazon yesterday.
Anyway,
What advise do you have for me? I have about 3-4 months from MS interview and about 8 months from Facebook. Google doesn't come to my campus, but I hope to make it through the online application. Is this sufficient time? What should my study plan be like? I know it's subjective, but how good do I need to be?
P.S - I have ordered the CLRS (Introduction to algorithms) & Algorithm Design Manual from Amazon yesterday.