Hope this is within the rules. and a shot in the dark
I am a student in Georgia Tech OMSCS. I have 2 courses left before I will graduate. I am excited for Modular’s vision and want this pythonic system language to be world dominating.
Wondering what courses would best align with Modular’s work. I have done many years of Python professionally, have good exposure to deep learning already. So thinking more on https://omscs.gatech.edu/specialization-computing-systems classes. These ones are kind of what I am noodling on.
Although interesting and relevant, Compilers class seems a little too niche.
I am not sure I will really become a compiler engineer(given I have 0 experience in it), but I do think I can very much help build libraries and application on top to get the best performance of our hardware.
Welcome answers/advice from Modular staff and random strangers on the internet. Thanks!
I’m going to offer a couple of approaches as opposed to answers.
Follow your energy approach: Because the Modular platform has compiler, language, and infrastructure as well as entry points up and down the stack, choose classes that you are interested in. Attack problems you’re excited about and the Modular platform will likely and eventually get there.
Take a Tao/stoicism/Buddhism approach: Modular is something we’re all pumped for though what classes would you take if Modular didn’t exist?
Seek guidance approach: You can take your interests to each of the teachers and show them what going on. They know their class and they can tell you how much overlaps. You might even get a convert or someone who is already interested. Additionally, you can ask if the project(s) can be done in mojo at that time.
Dragons, edges, and user space approach: Pick the parts of the platform that match your threshold for pain then take those classes.
Bogosort approach: Not recommended though there is something refreshing about embracing the random. Takes a leap of faith to enjoy.
Follow the money approach: Often people seek employment after finishing college. Find the highest correlation between job you seek and the classes and then shoehorn mojo+MAX in.
Modular is hiring for a large number of positions at the moment: Modular: Careers
We do hire new college graduates, and while I can’t speak for every hiring manager, I personally look for a few things for engineering positions (beyond general smarts and coding abilities)
Evidence of passion beyond coursework. I look for contributions to open source projects, intern/coop experience, side projects, etc, which demonstrate a candidate has done more than “just take classes”.
Domain expertise - Most of our positions are specialized in some ways, has the candidate done something specific in that area? They aren’t going to be an expert, but having done something relevant is important and useful and allows interviews to explore that. This is also evidence of passion in the area.
Mission alignment with Modular - is there a good “why modular?” answer for the candidate, aligned with our cultural values, able to work in a team, etc?
The easiest way to rapidly check the boxes is if the candidate has contributed to Modular’s existing open source repositories of course. We’ve hired a number of folks from the community and will continue to do so!
Thank you Darin and Chris for your words of wisdom. You are right that that are multiple approaches and there are no right answers here.
My original question was “what courses would best align with Modular’s work”. While that is one and certainly logical way to pose that question, I realize that is not how I typically make decisions.
With only 2 semesters left, I am going to take what is most unknown to me and get the most out of having a structured learning environment. This is what I would’ve done if Modular didn’t exist, Money be damned.
My answer is actually going to be compiler and it is one of 2 dragons on the list(the other being distributed computing).
The reason it feels difficult to choose is because all the classes here are all good options. All of them overlaps somewhat to the work here already(there are many other choices that are not listed here).
Would love to contribute, and thanks for the encouragement. Though more than likely, it will have to take a backseat until I get through slaying this dragon on top of my day job. My analog life will only tolerate so much. I can’t figure out if i have passion in compilers if I never tried it. Now is the time to explore.
