Job Reviews
 

Corel Corp - Paradox development (May 2001 - August 2001)

The good
This was my second real computer science related job and I had an overall good impression. I learnt all about C++ debugging in visual studio and got to see how a HUGE product comes together. I got to re-implement the printing algorithms for printing reports. My 'project lead' was a really nice guy and was always really impressed and appreciative (Pierre Chamune I think). He was the type of boss that made you want to impress him. They had free pop, coffee, espresso and mocha. I was always included in the meetings and was free to bring up whatever I felt needed to be impressed.

The bad
Most of the work was spent debugging. This would annoy me today, but at the time it was good experience.

Corel Corp - Research and development (January 2002 - April 2002)

The good
One of the best jobs I have ever had. We had weekly meetings and we all had to come up with 5 new ideas each meeting. I learnt a ton of .NET programming that term and was given a lot of responsibility. I developed a company wide web notifier. Which you would subscribe web sites to it. And you'd get emailed when the web pages were updated. You could set up how you wanted to be notified and how often. My boss was a great guy and purchased me some certificates for an idea I had relating to google and Corel (which they pursued)

The bad
I didn't like my supervisor (not boss) that much. I often got annoyed by him because he didn't know anything related to programming.  I didn't get the feel of a new workplace either since I had worked in another department at Corel.

Army Simulation Centre - Software development (September 2002 - December 2002)

The good
Linux programming, and lots of it. I gained a shit load of Qt programming experience and I learnt a ton more about Linux. I was given 3 large projects and was given complete control of the projects from the ground up. They told me ballpark what they wanted done and gave me the time to do it in.  I was free to do it without harassment. My boss was also a great guy (Dave and Doug). One of the projects I made they brought to the U.S. army and they liked it as well. I was paid to do part time work to port that project to the new version of their simulation software that they just got in. Overall I had a really good impression here.

The bad
A couple times I had to move a shitload of computers for one of the simulations they were running. This wasn't part of my job and I wasn't really asked to do it, I was instead given the task. You also had to pay for snacks and drinks... kinda cheap.  I think it's better if you pay the employee a dollar less an hour and allow him to have free pop.

ALT Software - Device driver development (May 2003 - August 2003)

The good
They had free drinks and snacks. I got to learn about device driver programming. Device driver programming had been a large interest of mine. I also got some COM experience and learnt a lot about DirectShow. There were a couple of nice people in the office.

The bad
Unfortunately my interest in device driver programming was crushed at this company. totally killed.  I had an incompetent boss and another boss who was a big ass. They rely on their team members to do most of the work and they don't give you proper documentation or books to do your job. They were trying to get Microsoft certification running on not enough hardware, shitty hardware and running off of a shitty code base. I hated this job so much that I tried to quit it after a month. Because of contractual obligations I couldn't.  I tried, but they wouldn't let me.  I was forced to work against my will and I hate anything or anyone who would force someone to do something they don't want to.  Often times I would email my boss and get no reply.  2 hours left on my last day my boss asked me to do a new task. I said I would look into it but obviously didn't have time to finish. They then asked me to stay longer but I refused. They told me to take it home instead. I complied, took it home and finished the requested task for them. I was quickly and slopily thanked a few days later. No one offered to pay me for the work I did at home. I was nice enough to do the task... at least pay me.  I was 100% unsatisfied with this job. If anyone is thinking about taking a job from this company, think again.

VisionWorks Solutions - Project management & Software development (June 2003 +)

The good

I can do what I want, when I want.  I get to do everything.  I get to manage projects and people, I get to decide the best way to do things.  I wouldn't gain this experience ANYWHERE else. 

The bad

How can  you say something bad about your own company?  The long long long hours suck, the pay sucks, but I learn a lot and the intrinsic rewards are outstanding.