My profession is in programming. Initially, my dad tried to teach me Javascript. It was a struggle and couldn’t get it.

A few years later, I took up computer science in college and that’s where it all clicked: I can imagine the end result. It’s a matter of being curious and finding (or I daresay… hacking) my way to that conclusion. Programming languages have a very funny way of allowing you to do just that. In studying computer science, I discovered the art of engineering all kinds of software-based solutions.

Because my way of solving problems is more deductive than inductive, I have to consciously build foundational knowledge and routines. Constant learning and insatiable curiosity is required for me to identify when my hunches are wrong and discard them accordingly.

  • diskmaster23@lemmy.oneEnglish
    1·
    4 days ago

    I do IT category management, sourcing/procurement for F500 companies. Been doing it for like 15 years and I don’t know what else I would be doing. I like the work. It’s challenging, changes enough, and there is a mix of strategic and tactical work. Notably, I don’t get burned out with it.

  • Pooptimist@lemmy.world
    1·
    5 days ago

    I studied German philology for far too long because of sunken cost phalacy, while I had a monotone student job localizing e-learning presentations until I got laid off. Then I took part in a programming bootcamp and have been a Frontend Web developer for the last 4 years.

    Recently, I’m feeling a little unsatisfied because I’m very much a jack of all trades, master of none kinda person, and to get further in my field I would have to have a really deep understanding of how things works under the hood, and those abstract things are very hard for me to grasp. Even harder since I had covid two years ago with ensuing brain fog for more than half a year, which still makes it harder to learn new things and keep them in my memory, which is quite sad because I always learned pretty fast…

    Now that I have been part of this hamster wheel of corporate bullshit for quite some time I feel that I want to do more creative stuff with programming, as I was always interested in art and making music (which sadly also has declined because of perfectionism and anxiety), and creating visual stuff brings me into the zone where the hours fly by, but adapting some configs or working with abstract data stuff does not.

    Should my job get taken by AI I want to do something with my hands, like wood or metal working, or something where I can help people, but let’s see.

    On the other hand I should be glad that I have a stable job that pays well and the people there are really nice, but I feel something is missing in my life. I tried to buy happiness and materialism, but somehow I was happier when I had less

  • root@lemmy.world
    3·
    7 days ago

    Everyone here is using Lemmy and is either in SWE, Sys Engi, Sys Admin or DevOps.

    /s kinda

  • GeekMan@sh.itjust.works
    1·
    6 days ago

    Software/solutions consultant, and union actor.

    I mean I was. I mean I am. I dunno. 20 years in I.T. starting from programming to a ‘senior tech consultant’. But was then made redundant. Didn’t get a job straight away. Started working at my girlfriend’s bar as a bartender & server.

    That was over a year ago. 60+ applications for jobs in I.T.; zero interviews. WTF.

    I’m trying to work out why & what to fix, but for now? I’m a server & actor.

    I’m reading and tinkering with technologies but not nearly enough. And will have to explain the gap in employment.

    It’s getting harder to resist the urge to panic and break down.

  • WhatsHerBucket@lemmy.world
    251·
    9 days ago

    Long time IT/cybersecurity.

    Cybersecurity is all about curiosity and learning. I got there via the military.

    E: too soon.

    • Eagle0110@lemmy.worldEnglish
      8·
      9 days ago

      Wow it’s really cool someone from a military background went into the field of cybersecurity!

      Is this common at all in cybersecurity?

      • WhatsHerBucket@lemmy.world
        6·
        8 days ago

        It is now. When I got into it, I was doing communications, mainly radio and satellite. I had no idea what I was going to do, and as it turned out, computers and learning really struck a chord with me.

        I used military grade cryptography in the Navy, but I learned a lot about cybersecurity on my own. All the “puzzles”, and learning new things everyday like new technology, new vulnerabilities, etc.

        Now they have specialists in the military and other government agencies that teach it. Although, given the current political climate, I wouldn’t want to be part of that with that.

        As much as people learn it in school and the military now, I feel to be really good at it, you have to know at least a little of everything. I like to look at it like a technical jack of all trades.

        You’d be surprised how many people there are from all sorts of backgrounds and interests, that had no idea they would be making a living out of hacking.

  • Jeena@piefed.jeena.netEnglish
    22·
    9 days ago

    Central heating and ventilation technician, that was my first one, it was awesome, learned welding and stuu like that. But during the winter I couldn’t do it, every time so freaking cold.

    Then I was a Rubber mixer for the aufomobile industry, which destroyed my sense of smell to a high degree so I switched again.

    Next was frontend developer, then iPhona app developer and then finally I also studied computer science.

    After that I I went back to the automobile industry, but with the CS background I’m in software development now. My profession is very broad. I’m Integrator, Software Factory Subject Matter Expert (basically architecture around devops), Configuration Manager. Not programming at all anymore.

  • ThatWeirdGuy1001@lemmy.world
    22·
    8 days ago

    I’m a lifelong cook. Been working in kitchens since I was 15 and I’m currently training to be the sous chef at my current location.

    People shit on food service workers but the amount of practical real life skills I’ve acquired over the years has actually come in handy quite a few times.

    • comfy@lemmy.ml
      3·
      7 days ago

      but the amount of practical real life skills I’ve acquired over the years

      Are there any particularly unexpected ones?

      • ThatWeirdGuy1001@lemmy.world
        4·
        7 days ago

        There’s a couple for me.

        Prioritization of tasks. The flaming pot is more important than the smoking oven.

        The ability to move through a dense group of people without disrupting anyone.

        Sense of urgency. You need to move with intention and do it quickly.

        Injury assessment. You’re not going home because you got 1st degree burns. Grit your teeth and push through. If you cut yourself it’s a different story but unless your skin is sloughing off your fine.