Make a final blog post describing the three most important things you learned this semester and offer one piece of advice to students taking the class next semester.

Looking back, it’s difficult to claim that any single piece of knowledge was more valuable than the other because all knowledge has purpose. However, if I really must choose only three tidbits from the entire semesters worth of classes, I would say:

1. Software Patenting/Ethical Use of Software: Prior to this class, I had basically zero knowledge of software copyrights, when to use which type, why you would go about using one over the other, etc. Both the intellectual property lecture and the HiveTracks case study provided unique insight into the difficulties that can arise from conflict of ownership on code, reusing someones’ code where it’s not appropriate to do so, and other situations that can arise from copyrighted software. It taught me to be mindful about releasing anything and to pretty much always consult a lawyer if I want to make money distributing anything without being sued by some patent troll or another.
2. Public Speaking/Improving Communication Skills: This semester, we got a LOT of practice speaking in front of large groups – both formally and informally. Public speaking is a skill that’s not particularly stressed in other Computer Science classes and I think that’s not very conductive to the departments goal of producing knowledgeable and capable graduates because, any professional in any field is bound to encounter team-wide meetings and other social events in which they MUST be comfortable speaking confidently and clearly to the room. It is an essential skill for any field and I’m glad that we cultivated it throughout the semester as I certainly feel like my public speaking has improved and with it, my confidence in those situations.
3. Business Practices/Business Mindset: Seminar helped me to consider the various things that can help or hurt in an interview setting, to consider how to market myself effectively, to consider what information I put online and how it may affect my professional reputation, and a number of other things that affect employment opportunities in the long-term. While many of these topics contained some common sense tips, there were an equal number of things that I’d just never considered beforehand and all of them proved to be useful as time went on. Particularly, the lecture from the CareerGear representative about how to sell yourself effectively in a professional setting.

Lastly, if I had to offer one singular piece of advice to a student taking the class next semester? GO TO CLASS.
People seem to think that just because there is no explicit punishment for absences listed in the syllabus, that missed classes have no effect on their grade or their ability to succeed. I disagree. Many of the class lectures have been useful, including networking opportunities, expression of student knowledge, etc. It’s incredible to see what some of our peers are capable of and broaden our own professional horizons accordingly – just go to class!