New center will immerse students in software development
Paul Albee believes that if you want to grow good software developers, you must first wean them from fast food.
Or rather, fast food jobs.
Too often, Albee said, computer science students are distracted by menial part-time jobs to focus properly on professional development.
“If you’re flipping burgers, you’re not
immersed in your studies,” said Albee, an assistant professor of computer science. “The goal is to immerse them in the development of software, and this is a means to that end.”
Albee is leading the Center for Software Development at CMU, newly created with a three-year $154,000 CMU 2010 grant. The center, located in Pearce Hall, offers undergraduates a chance to apply and fine-tune their skills at crafting software in a real-world environment.
Initiatives expected to follow students through college career
In coming weeks, Albee expects six freshmen or sophomores will participate in the new effort. He said the goal is for these students to shepherd a software project throughout their entire course of study at CMU, perhaps even extending into their graduate studies.
Most computer science majors now have only one opportunity to develop software during a 16-week capstone course during their senior year. Albee said a longer training period is needed to properly educate students on planning projects and to prepare them for this demanding field.
“There is a high burnout rate among
software developers,” Albee said. “A lot of these demands can be reduced by doing things the right way.”
The center likely will begin by tackling university-centered software needs, such as developing a new computerized scheduling system for student employees, Albee said. Other projects such as those suggested by OIT or CMURC also will be considered in the near future.
Albee added that a board of advisors will be formed, composed of regional software development companies, to periodically review the center’s activities and the students’ work. Aside from the valuable input, he said, the interaction should provide excellent recruitment opportunities for students. •
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