1.
Lifelong Learning

2. Why do we need lifelong learning. What do we need to learn about
Why do we need lifelong learning? What do we need to learn about? How do we learn about it?

3. Because the SE Code of Ethics says so!
Principle 8: SELF
Software engineers shall participate in lifelong learning regarding the practice of their profession…

4. But why does the code say so?
Benefit society, clients, and employers
Make better software at lower cost
Enhance reputation of profession
Be trusted to do effective job
Grow body of knowledge
Solve hard problems
Make all SEs better

5. Beyond the code’s reasons, what others?
Be effective at your job
Technology advances quickly
Get raises, promotions
Be able to get/keep jobs
Tech industry has reputation for being ageist
Would you hire someone with skills from 20 years ago?
Your professional success may depend on it!

6. Why do we need lifelong learning. What do we need to learn about
Why do we need lifelong learning? What do we need to learn about? How do we learn about it?
Where can we find answers to this question?

7. Excerpts from the SE Code
8.01. Further their knowledge of developments in the analysis, specification, design, development, maintenance and testing of software and related documents, together with the management of the development process.
8.02. Improve their ability to create safe, reliable, and useful quality software at reasonable cost and within a reasonable time.

8. More excerpts from the Code
8.03. Improve their ability to produce accurate, informative, and well-written documentation.
8.04. Improve their understanding of the software and related documents on which they work and of the environment in which they will be used.

9. More excerpts from the Code
8.05. Improve their knowledge of relevant standards and the law governing the software and related documents on which they work.
8.06 Improve their knowledge of this Code, its interpretation, and its application to their work.

10. Can you think of any other things to learn?

11. Why do we need lifelong learning. What do we need to learn about
Why do we need lifelong learning? What do we need to learn about? How do we learn about it?
Alas, the Code is little help on this one…

12. How to get lifelong learning?
Advanced college degrees
Online courses
Workshops and conferences
Tech certifications
Read books, articles, papers
Sabbaticals (if you can get them)
Industry/academia collaborations

13. Regarding advanced degrees
Masters
Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.)
2 years
2-3 classes per semester
Maybe project or thesis
Like bachelor++
Can be done part-time
Good for
Additional study of CS
Getting raise/promotion
Getting more job offers
4-6 (more?) years
Who cares about classes!
Emphasis on research
Publishing, presenting
Very different from bachelors and masters
Hard to do part-time
Good for
Getting professor jobs
Getting research jobs
Employers will often support you!

14. Regarding online courses
Lots of free courses and course materials online
MIT OpenCourseWare
Stanford Online
Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs)
The hot new thing
Low success rates so far

15. Regarding workshops and conferences
Vary widely
Some by industry, some by professional societies
Some for profit, some not
Some big (thousands of people), some small (<100 people)
Good for
Keeping up on new developments
Learning from experts
Professional networking
Employers will often send you!

16. Regarding tech certifications
“There are hundreds of tech certification programs and exams out there, some sponsored by software vendors, some by vendor-neutral organizations, and some by educational institutions. A number of them are easy to obtain -- as evidenced by the many IT pros who list a three-line string of acronyms after their names. You pay your money and you take a multiple-choice test; if you pass, you're in.
Others are excruciatingly difficult: Cost is high; eligibility to even take the exam is dependent on having years of experience, formal education, and/or sponsorship from others who already hold the title; and the exams are grueling, multi-day affairs that require hands-on performance of relevant tasks. Most are somewhere in between.
But which certifications really provide a measure of your knowledge and skills in a particular area? And which will really help you get a job or promotion?”
See the rest of this techrepublic article (2007) for an answer

17. Regarding industry/academia collaborations
If you’re in industry
Academics often eager to collaborate
Do research at your company
Involve you in capstone course ;-)
Academics often find industry closed off
You can help!
If you’re in academia
Need industry collaborations to stay connected to practice
Help your work have impact

18. Closing thoughts Lifelong learning is important!
You can get it in a variety of ways
Don’t limit yourself to just one!