Don't be a Coder, Engineer, or Developer ...

Re:Don't be a Coder, Engineer, or Developer ... by axod on Monday October 05, 2009 @11:41AM (#861988)

>> "What is your job description? What do call yourself, or tell people you do?"

I tell people "I do computer stuff". Anything else sounds pretentious and stupid eg "Senior software architect", and is usually more information than they really wanted.

"Software Artisan" just sounds ridiculously pretentious.

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Re:Don't be a Coder, Engineer, or Developer ... by pavel_lishin on Monday October 05, 2009 @12:04PM (#862042)

If I suspect a person has problems with their Windows install or needs a website built "for this great business idea, you'll see, we can split the profits, you just have to design the website!", I tell people I'm a database administrator. This discourages questions.

Otherwise, I generally tell people I'm a code monkey or a web designer.

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Re:Don't be a Coder, Engineer, or Developer ... by axod on Monday October 05, 2009 @12:13PM (#862054)

Good strategy.

The worst thing is being known in the family/extended family as "A computer guy" - someone to ask when your crappy Windows XP machine won't boot.

When faced with this tricky situation I usually explain that I last used Windows about 10 years ago and have no clue how to make their Vista/XP thing bearable, and they back down.

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Re:Don't be a Coder, Engineer, or Developer ... by julsonl on Monday October 05, 2009 @12:48PM (#862119)

Not only this, they often ask you to hunt them a brand-new laptop with 6 gigs of ram, 17" screen, a high-speed quad core cpu (basically the works) for all around $400. I'm exaggerating a bit, but this happens a lot often than I would like.

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Re:Don't be a Coder, Engineer, or Developer ... by billswift on Monday October 05, 2009 @05:21PM (#862821)

Goody, I want one of those too, when can you get it to me?

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Re:Don't be a Coder, Engineer, or Developer ... by bad_user on Monday October 05, 2009 @01:37PM (#862225)

I also type quite fast too, and I get that amazed glance from my peers or just strangers close-by ... next thing I know I get the typical ... "You know, I have a Windows PC, and I think I caught a virus".

I just answer them "Sorry, that's not my expertise" ... but one of these days I'll just get one of those "I WON'T FIX YOUR COMPUTER" teeshirts, because nothing can suck the life out of you faster.

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Re:Don't be a Coder, Engineer, or Developer ... by gaius on Monday October 05, 2009 @12:59PM (#862138)

I saw a CV the other day from someone claiming 10 and half years experience in a senior role.

His work history went back 11 years.

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Re:Don't be a Coder, Engineer, or Developer ... by dgabriel on Monday October 05, 2009 @01:59PM (#862299)

Hey, don't scoff too hard. When working for a startup, one can quickly go from zero work history to being the most senior person on the team. Nothing wrong with recognizing talent and hard work, even if it's only in name.

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Re:Don't be a Coder, Engineer, or Developer ... by gaius on Monday October 05, 2009 @02:46PM (#862439)

But if your peers are in the same category, how are you "senior" to them?

10 years good experience + a boatload of talent + rock-solid theoretical knowledge is my minimum bar to call yourself "senior".

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Re:Don't be a Coder, Engineer, or Developer ... by adelle on Monday October 05, 2009 @11:50PM (#863473)

I laugh when I see positions advertised with "senior" in the title that are only asking for 3 years experience. Around here, that's normal. Does this happen in other industries?

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