(Part 3) Top products from r/WGU

tl;dr version:

1. yes
   
2. no, but that will be the case at any school
   
   Quick background to validate the above/below: I was a 30y/o banquet manager when I decided to change careers. I had no prior experience [unless you want to count a single programming class I took in high school] but did get a job in tech support at a medium size startup while I was in school and wrote a couple apps for our department. Just before I graduated I started working at a primarily Google & Mozilla funded non-profit as their sole software engineer. I moved on after a little over two years and am now a software engineer at VMware.
   
   
3. The degree is a huge boost in getting past HR and/or having [good] recruiters work with you. You'll also learn the skills/knowledge necessary to get hired as a developer, which is obviously the more important part - but for the most part this is all stuff you can learn on your own, but you'll greatly reduce the number places that will even give you a phone screen if you don't have a degree [I'm not saying this is how it should be, but this is how it is].
   
   
4. I typed out a lot before remembering New Relic had a great blog post a few months ago about all the stuff you don't learn in school [about software development], ha. So I would highly recommend you not only read it but also try to learn a little on your own (especially regarding SQL and version control) http://blog.newrelic.com/2014/06/03/10-secrets-learned-software-engineering-degree-probably-didnt/ Being a good developer (or good anything) takes time/experience - but knowing what they don't cover in school (and trying to learn it on your own) will help.
   
   Two books I'd suggest reading are The Pragmatic Programmer and Code: The Hidden Language of Computer Hardware and Software. Pragmatic Programmer is one of those classics that every good dev has read (and follows!). Code is great at giving you some insight into what's actually happening at a lower level - though it gets a bit repetitive/boring about halfway through so don't feel bad about putting it down once you reach that point.
   
   The best thing you can do to help you land a job is have some open-source side-projects (ideally on GitHub). Doesn't have to be anything major or unique - but it will help a lot for potential employers to see what your code looks like.
   
   

I've found that Schaum's Outlines are great for both understanding the material and providing practice problems, particularly in the beginning when nothing made sense. There are a number of YouTube channels that are helpful for accounting courses in general (such as Edspira and Farhat), but I don't think they're geared for the introductory accounting courses. You could give AccountingCoach a try; I've used the site for alternate explanations a few times. Investopedia has been useful for referencing terminology and putting it into context.

In addition to accounting resources, I'd suggest that you either obtain an accounting calculator (the BA II Plus is the recommended calculator) or if you've already got a TI-83/84, you learn to use the financial functions. You'll spend a fair amount of time on the time-value-of-money (TVM) functions in some of the courses, and it'll help you tremendously to understand how to use your calculator.


FWIW, I had no real accounting background, so debit/credit was kind of a weird thing to wrap my head around. It's not debit (as in subtract money) and credit (as in add money) but rather a notation (convention?) to signify what side of the t account to place the amount in. Each account (cash, accounts payable, expenses, etc.) has a normal balance on one side or the other. Cash, for example, is an asset and has a normal debit balance. Accounts Payable (a liability account) has a normal credit balance. In double entry accounting, each debit recorded will have a corresponding credit recorded, to ensure that the accounting equation (assets = liabilities + owner's equity) remains balanced. At the end of any particular period of time, you can prepare what's called a trial balance to ensure that all of the debits you've made equal all of the credits you've made, which keeps mathematical errors out of your books.


Good luck to you! I've really enjoyed all of the things I've learned about accounting so far, and I hope you enjoy them too!

• they want someone with an associates degree in IT or a certification or significant work experience. So I think you could finish the associates degree at CC and apply and have no issues in getting accepted or you can do an IT certification that is part of the SWD program and get accepted that way.
  
  
• learning how to learn is one of the best things you can do on your journey to becoming a good developer. Unfortunately almost no places teach you to learn how to learn, so taking initiative would be very wise to do. for me - I learn well reading a tech book as opposed to watching videos as I feel I get a deeper understanding of the subject matter although almost always reading tends to go deeper into concepts. So check out a book at your library something like this:
  
• http://www.amazon.com/How-We-Learn-Surprising-Happens/dp/0812984293/ref=pd_sim_14_4?ie=UTF8&dpID=51HJ9jVJxUL&dpSrc=sims&preST=_AC_UL160_SR105%2C160_&refRID=03SAKKNQZJXGAT81XTDZ
  
  
• I've only started web development this year and this program in September, but this is my 2 cents. I feel you more prepared than other programs for working as this program takes a very practical approach - learning very essential skills such as HTML/CSS, Java, SQL, etc. You should have a very good understanding of java because passing the java cert requires a very good understanding of java (tho I haven't taken yet)
  
• I did some interview mock trials and have a few interviews with recruiters, a company owner, and Charles Schwab (which I got to the second interview with IT manager). Most experienced engineers asked me a bit about the school (as I put on my resume that I've graduating in 1-2 years) and how do I plan on working and going to school. But the dealbreaker for me was that I did not have any work experience on my resume so this is what usually made them pass me up although I did then create 2 websites but the IT manager wanted me to have deep javascript experience and AngularJS. Which are things that NO school teaches.
  So my bottom line is: choosing this school is great because Whichever school I end up going to, there's so much learning I will have to do outside of school to become the person companies want badly. Good luck =]
  

I used 3 books in my readings:

https://www.amazon.com/Meyers-CompTIA-Security-Certification-SY0-501/dp/126002637X/ref=sr_1_9?keywords=security%2B&qid=1564790977&s=gateway&sr=8-9

https://www.amazon.com/CompTIA-Security-SY0-501-Exam-Cram/dp/0789759004/ref=sr_1_8?keywords=sy0-501&qid=1564791002&s=gateway&sr=8-8

https://www.amazon.com/CompTIA-Security-SY0-501-Guide-Certification/dp/0789758997/ref=sr_1_16?keywords=sy0-501&qid=1564791002&s=gateway&sr=8-16

I have an ACM membership so I was able to access them all from their learning library. Was able to read all three books in 27 days. Did the practice tests online (mostly got between 96% - 98%). No one author is able to cover all the material. But since this is something that I really need to learn, I try to source out materials from different sources.

I usually go with the For Dummies version first to break it into my brain in a form that's understandable before I cover it using the actual text. Yes, it takes time, and not really allow you to accelerate but it helps me to actually understand what I'm supposed to learn and not just pass the test.

Like with PowerShell right now, I'm on chapter 8 of Windows PowerShell Programming for the Absolute Beginner, 3rd which approaches PowerShell programming by building games. Almost have half of it done then I'd go for Learn PowerShell Scripting in a Month of Lunches. Again, I'm not saying this approach is best, but it works for me to understand things better. Plus work does reimbursement for stuff I buy for the class which really helps if I need a book (an actual printed book).

I bought a book on Amazon - it was actually for an older version of the test, but I found I was better able to concentrate with a book than with the uCertify stuff.

I plowed through the book in a few days, and also found this mnemonic in the top post here and passed with a respectable score. This after not touching any materials until a couple of weeks before my test date (I do not recommend procrastinating to this level though!!).

edit: The mnemonic in that link is for the formulas - I honestly think it made the difference in whether or not I passed!! CEA/SEP

If you're having a rough time with this course I suggest the following:

1-Ditch BlueJ and use IntelliJ IDEA.

2-Watch the updated Lynda.com Java course, "Java Essential Training".

3-Grab some extra resources like Java All-in-one for Dummies (http://www.amazon.com/Java-All-One-Dummies-Computer/dp/1118408039)

4-Listen to the Cohort videos (this is essential!)

5-Contact the Mentors for the course if you're having troubles with any concepts.

Udacity is frustrating, but they do communicate a fair amount of necessary information. Don't rely on this as your only resource though; do some googling and watch Lynda.com videos that are available.

I'm in the Software-Development program and have a little bit of scripting experience going into this course. I think you're just making it harder than it actually is. Do some reading on the fundementals of OOP and then try to tackle it again. Most of what I remember for the Objective exam is just terminology and syntax, don't stress about it. You can knock out the Project fairly easily if you take guidance from the Cohort videos and and read over the objectives.

Good luck!

I don’t have any practical suggestions; I’d say take a look at how long you’re studying and if you begin to “check out”, get up and do something else for a bit.

Also read A Mind for Numbers (A Mind for Numbers: How to Excel at Math and Science (Even If You Flunked Algebra) https://www.amazon.com/dp/039916524X/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_43L4Bb5DTHGTY)

Best book on studying habits ever. It’s helped me a ton.

Best wishes!

Thank you!! If you don't mind my asking, if you're working a full-time job, how much time have you been allocating for the program, and in how many months are you projected to finish?

Also, do you have any tips on how I can best prepare before entering the program? I'm considering reading the Elements of Statistics during commute instead of the usual ones I read and brush up on my linear algebra to prepare.

I'm not in the course, but I searched google and found this link
https://www.reddit.com/r/WGU/comments/9s3kjn/just_passed_the_c191_operating_systems_course/

and it recommends this book
https://www.amazon.com/Operating-Concepts-Essentials-Abraham-Silberschatz/dp/1118804929/


I know you siad you wanted a book, but this thread says the course book was really boring
https://www.reddit.com/r/WGU/comments/5nsl6n/c191_help/


and they found this free udacity course very helpful
https://www.udacity.com/course/ud923

other people recommend these vidoes
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLacuG5pysFbDQU8kKxbUh4K5c1iL5_k7k

The videos were not enough for me, but I had no experience in IT at all. I mean none.

This book: https://www.amazon.com/Microsoft-Windows-Networking-Essentials-Darril/dp/1118016858
was awesome.

I also found a free pdf of this: https://www.amazon.com/Exam-98-366-MTA-Networking-Fundamentals/dp/0470901837/ref=pd_lpo_sbs_14_t_1?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=P2AWDNSQRGY190FK14N5

When I signed up for the exam I payed for access to the practice tests and between those three resources and a lot of studying I passed with an 86.

I am in the middle of taking KET1 right now. I already completed BOV1 but still need CUV1. I actually wish I had taken CUV1 first. KET1 along with KFT1 are the two hardest programming classes you will take and should be left to the end. Consider it more of an intro into advanced programming where as the others are basic programming.

Also a bit of advice on Java, the supplied eBook is worthless. This one will help you much more..

http://www.amazon.com/Programmers-Edition-Deitel-Developer-Series/dp/0132821540/ref=dp_ob_title_bk

Also watch the lynda videos on Java essentials. You can get them from your WGU log in. Go to Resources>Library>Lynda.com Video Library>Software>Java

I was looking to take the Software Development Fundamentals MTA.. I purchased this book before i began at WGU.. I really believed it helped me. I started 7/1passed the class on 7/3..

https://www.amazon.com/Exam-98-361-Software-Development-Fundamentals/dp/047088911X

here is where you can find the syllabus for the exam. it lines up pretty well with the class

https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/learning/exam-98-361.aspx

Yup, I passed on my third attempt. What helped me was to do three things:

• Practiced the Boson NetSims until I could do all the labs very quickly and without looking at the answers.
  
  
• Printed out the ICND1 exam objectives and manually set up everything in Packet Tracer.
  
  
• Bought and read this book. This was hard for me since I am a cheap bastard, but I did it under the advice of my class mentor and did not regret it.
  
  If you have any more questions or concerns, feel free to ask away.

AWS Certified SysOps Administrator Official Study Guide: Associate Exam It's available free in the WGU library

A cloud guru
you can get a 30 day free trial and if you're fast you can get through the whole course.

I found the WGU provided material didn't really prepare me for this cert, hence why I failed it the first time. But watching the A Cloud Guru course and reading the book really helped and got me through it.

This is exactly the comment I was coming in to make. If you browse through r/CompTIA you'll see the same thing said over and over.

I'll also throw in the ExamCram book

books that have helped me( i keep them as reference)

https://www.amazon.com/Forgotten-Algebra-Barbara-Lee-Bleau/dp/0764120085/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1500377758&sr=8-2&keywords=forgotten+algebra

https://www.amazon.com/Forgotten-Calculus-Barbara-Bleau-Ph-D/dp/0764119982/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1500379330&sr=8-1&keywords=forgotten+calculus

https://www.amazon.com/Pre-calculus-Demystified-Second-Rhonda-Huettenmueller/dp/0071778497/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1500379354&sr=8-1&keywords=precalculus+demystified

https://www.amazon.com/Calculus-Intuitive-Physical-Approach-Mathematics-ebook/dp/B00CB2MK6C/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1500379374&sr=8-3&keywords=calculus


https://www.amazon.com/Calculus-Idiots-Guides-Michael-Kelley-ebook/dp/B01E6H5C5A/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1500379523&sr=8-2&keywords=calculus+idiots+guide

They sure are - but I totally hate them. I am not sure why, but I feel they are terrible. For Network+, I used the Lammle Network+ guide (http://smile.amazon.com/dp/1118137558) and Skillport (http://wgu.skillport.com). For Security+ (SY0-401 version)=, I almost exclusively used Mike Meyers' Passport Guide (http://smile.amazon.com/dp/0071832149) and cannot recommend it highly enough.

I did use the practice exams for both, and passed both exams on the first try.