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Engineers are typically more interested in things than in people. That’s why they become engineers.

I think more specifically, software engineers are more interested in ideas.

I got into software engineering because I was obsessed with the experience of a customer’s eyes dilating and then silently going “ooooh,” when they encounter a product that’s going to change their lives for the first time. I remember my first iPad, and when Steve Jobs presented it. He described it as “magical.” A better word could not have been used. I didn’t need to have explained to me why this was going to change the world, or how I did things. I instinctively knew. To me, this is the highest pursuit of software engineering - software that needs no explanation or justification.

I find this often puts me at odds with other developers both IRL at my job, and online. I roll my eyes as a 1028th way of doing something backend is created for a task that works well enough, and brings no user-facing improvement to the table.

I will never stop finding joy in the products that are magical though, nor will I stop trying to be a wizard.

What experience got you into your field? What made you passionate about it? And what do you think sets you apart from your peers? What is the flavor you bring?

#coding #programming #devrants
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Jeremiah Baker 2y ago

My second career in life is mechanical engineering. I graduated right before the age of forty. I made the decision because I have always been a mechanically minded person. My first career took me from contracting decorative painting, building furniture, and finally carving and gold gilding art frames.

My path in engineering has led me to military aviation overhaul of jet engines. What concerns me the most happens to be a modest strength of mine. The repair workforce is lacking in the basic skills to accomplish the task of repairing and rebuilding aging military equipment. And on top of that they don’t have a base layer of skills to rely on so they are very timid.

I grew up building things so I am not afraid to try something new. However, it is very hard to fight against the crowd/management. It is a constant source of struggle and one I’m not sure is going to go away.

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nobody 2y ago

Bad management seems to be an almost universal struggle, as does the lack of skilled workers.

Thanks for sharing your story! I think it’s very inspiring when someone changes direction later than most people. Proves that there’s no excuse to not do what you want to do!