I was recently let go and plan to take a few months between jobs because I can. I am a senior software engineer and comfortable with my programming skills (Java/Oracle/Web Services) but was wondering what would be a good way to maintain them during my time off?
Thanks for the advice.
This happened to me several years ago, and I actually went to the trouble of getting the MCAD certification. This was 2003 timeline, so it was very current at the time.
The added benefit, besides keeping your programming skills up to date, is that it is measurable to a potential new employer, and it gives you a "good story" to tell the interviewer about what you did, besides sat at home and searched for a job.
Also, I would say that contributing here on SO is a great way to maintain your skills. Plus your reputation is useful when combined with careers.stackoverflow.com
Code every day. Learn new languages, frameworks, etc. Offer your services for free to non-profits, schools etc.
Ever thought something a long the lines of "I wish there was something to do this"? If you've got the time, why not scratch that itch and write an app that satisfies this "requirement"?
Personally, I'm trying to use my time off to dabble in programming languages and techniques I wouldn't normally use during my day job(s) in order to ensure that I keep getting exposed to new ideas. But I don't like just playing about, so I tend to keep note of mini-projects for small tools or web apps that I write using those languages. They can also double as your portfolio without infringing anybody's copyright or stepping on anybody's toes so that's a bonus.
I would say that you should come up with some itch that you want to solve for yourself. Pick some new technology that you don't yet know such as Ruby on Rails or WPF or something, and learn that technology while trying to solve your personal problem. Make the goal something that you don't actually know how to do yet, or something that is outside of your area of expertise.
I would also concur with other answers that contributing to non-profits and open source projects would are also good ideas. But having some personal code that is just yours makes it easier to show code to potential employers and says "Yes, I coded this entire thing. Judge me based on this code." This is harder with a project that has multiple contributors.
Contribute more solutions/comments to stackoverflow.
It's like contributing to open source in short finite bursts.
Definitely involved yourself with a project that will really fire up your enthusiasm and be a pleasure to work on.
I'd also take the opportunity to learn any new skills that you think might be relevant in the upcoming jobs market. You might think, I don't know much C# at the moment, now's the time to get involved, or maybe you're a C++ person but don't know much BOOST; now's a good time to read up and experiment.
If you can combine the above two, all the better.
I'd also make sure you're well up to speed on your data structures and algorithms and can take those 'reverse a linked list' type interview questions and be able to code them up with little effort. It's good preparation and will increase your confidence for interviews too, especially as keeping the basics on the boil is always a good thing.
I installed a blog, learned wordpress and wrote about programming and linux. Good writing is as difficult as coding, escpecially if you write about coding ;-).
Find something in your day-to-day life you'd like to make more efficient by writing a program for it.