Coding Woes
During the first part of my internship, I was creating a tool in python. It was kinda cool, and I made some neat commands. I didn't know the language very well, but it was easy enough to learn that I caught on really quickly. Then I started coding back in C++, which was my first language in high school, and I thought I was pretty good. Then I starting editing some tools and realized how much i SUUuuuuuuckkk. The code base implemented reference counting so you didn't have to worry about memory management as much, but dealing with these weird reference pointers was just confusing as hell. I never seen anything like it. Garbage collection??? In C++??? YOUR CRAZY!! That is Java-talk!!
Also, coding on top of other people's code is a bittersweet thing. Most of the design decisions have been made for you, yet you have to figure out how everything works. Code reading is definitely not my strong point.
I think what I regret most about my internship was not interacting with my coworkers. I mean I say hi and everything. However, there are moments where a group of workers are chatting in the kitchen--perfect time to join in a conversation--and I chicken out the last second since I didn't want to feel awkward. I also feel like I should visit other people's offices a lot more just to say hi, since a few of the interns do that.
I also have this trait where I am scared to ask a question, thinking that it is a stupid question. Usually what ends up happening is that I try to figure out the problem for about 4 hours, then I give up and ask somebody. The answer ends up being really easy and I fix the problem right away. Then I just end up feeling like I am not being productive.
On a higher note, I went to a talk with the two sculptors from Pixar. They talked about how they got into the industry. One didn't even go to art school and learned how to sculpt on his own. He also got a taste of working various aspects of visual effects industry by working a--once a small--effects studio, which I will call Fippett Studios. They both invited us to visit them anytime in their working quarters, which I am totally going to do. One also said I can have some free clay if I come visit. Score!!
Anyway, I have to make a presentation at the end of my internship stating what work I have done. I don't want it to be super lame, so I am cooking up ideas now. Kevin thinks I should reenact Star Wars, cleverly interweaving my work into the story elements. It would go something like "My Uncle and Aunt--who were practically my parents-- just got killed from the rebel storm-troopers. Now I must use the force to fix these bugs and create an animation to fight Load Vader!!!" Yea I know, I thought it was totally lame too. But I am sure he would make it work. Its the same way with his AMVs. His pitch always sound lame, but the final product it high quality.
Also, coding on top of other people's code is a bittersweet thing. Most of the design decisions have been made for you, yet you have to figure out how everything works. Code reading is definitely not my strong point.
I think what I regret most about my internship was not interacting with my coworkers. I mean I say hi and everything. However, there are moments where a group of workers are chatting in the kitchen--perfect time to join in a conversation--and I chicken out the last second since I didn't want to feel awkward. I also feel like I should visit other people's offices a lot more just to say hi, since a few of the interns do that.
I also have this trait where I am scared to ask a question, thinking that it is a stupid question. Usually what ends up happening is that I try to figure out the problem for about 4 hours, then I give up and ask somebody. The answer ends up being really easy and I fix the problem right away. Then I just end up feeling like I am not being productive.
On a higher note, I went to a talk with the two sculptors from Pixar. They talked about how they got into the industry. One didn't even go to art school and learned how to sculpt on his own. He also got a taste of working various aspects of visual effects industry by working a--once a small--effects studio, which I will call Fippett Studios. They both invited us to visit them anytime in their working quarters, which I am totally going to do. One also said I can have some free clay if I come visit. Score!!
Anyway, I have to make a presentation at the end of my internship stating what work I have done. I don't want it to be super lame, so I am cooking up ideas now. Kevin thinks I should reenact Star Wars, cleverly interweaving my work into the story elements. It would go something like "My Uncle and Aunt--who were practically my parents-- just got killed from the rebel storm-troopers. Now I must use the force to fix these bugs and create an animation to fight Load Vader!!!" Yea I know, I thought it was totally lame too. But I am sure he would make it work. Its the same way with his AMVs. His pitch always sound lame, but the final product it high quality.