Where do I Want to Work? (Spring)
Thu, Feb 23
The focus of this lecture is the job landscape for computer science. Many workers are seeking meaning and purpose in their professional lives, but struggle with what is actually offered in the contemporary workplace: jobs that are often unfulfilling, even though they pay well. We'll spend some time discussing this tension today.
We have three main in-class learning goals. By the end of the lecture today you will:
- Gain familiarity with what tech workers are looking for in their careers, which may not always align with what is available on the market.
- Know about the kinds of jobs computer scientists are getting out of college, and the various pros and cons of each.
- Develop skills to ask good questions about a workplace and its potential fit for your career.
The slides for today's lecture.
Read This:
Renelle Darr writing in Forbes on The New Workplace: Where Meaning and Purpose are More Important Than Ever.
An excerpt from David Graeber's landmark book on contemporary work: Bullshit Jobs.
Lizzie Widdicombe reviews the WeWork documentary in the New Yorker.
Do This:
Writing Reflection 05
Instructions for Writing Reflection 05.
This writing reflection is due on 2/24 at 12pm.
Instructions for Project 02 Released
The project for this next unit on "Ethics in the Workplace" will be the production of a podcast that summarizes your group's dialogues over the course of the next several weeks. Instructions for Project 02
This project is due Saturday 04/01 at 12pm.
This Week's Dialogue Group Meeting
Find at least one hour to meet with your group to discuss the prompt of the week: How have you approached the meritocracy in your own education?