When you’re at parties or out socializing in the real world outside of work and people casually ask what you do for a living, what do you tell them? Especially if they aren’t familiar with tech (“oh— I know über!”), how do you keep your explanations of software engineering concise for regular people asking? TC: 112K
“I’m a software engineer. No, not a real engineer like those that build buildings and planes. More so someone that sits in front of a computer and sling code for 10 hours a day. Probably over paid”
Most people think that we're electricians. And one lady thought I drove trains as in train "engineer", but that lady is literally mentally ret. arded so she gets A Pass.
Listen Ye train conductor re. tard
Ask them to watch : https://youtu.be/ecIWPzGEbFc Programming is not limited to server side applications it’s everywhere
“Here.. just watch this 1:18:00 YouTube video. That’s a decent introduction to what I do.”
😺
The hardest part is not about explaining what I do. It's explaining what I actually don't do that makes it tricky: - no, I don't install Windows on a daily basis. - no, I have no idea why those freaking Windows updates just start whenever they want. In fact, it freaks me out too. - no, recent password leaks is not something I can fix for you - no, it really won't load the page faster if you click more on the link - no, I can't just install internet on your machine. And after answering any of those I usually have to explain what they actually pay me for if I really can't do any of the above.
I’ve had this same dialog verbatim so many times before. I feel like the easiest terms to throw around are “code” and “programming”. But even then, it always gets roped back to IT and how can I help someone fix their broken Facebook. They don’t know any of their passwords and can I help.
Lol have been at Ms and have gotten asked all those questions except last one as I usually don't discuss TC in real life
OP : Do you live in Appalachia or something? What sort of socials do you go to where people don’t k ow what software engineering is ? Even a 3 year old kid knows what an App is .. !
@Apple where's your manners? Your English isn't much better than ops and your social life probably isn't too exciting either ;-)
I’m in a blue collar city in SoCal. SWE’s are extremely rare here, same with tech in general. When AMZ opened a warehouse nearby, everyone in my family kept saying “go get a job w/ amz!” Thinking they had real computers and desks there and not just bottles of piss.
I do stuff with computers
To computers ?
Near computers
I design the internet.
I only go to parties with other software engineers. I don’t like wasting my precious time with idiots and paupers.
Spoken like a software engineer, lmao
Parties with only software engineers are boring af
Who cares what you are, get paid, have a family and enjoy life
I just say software developer, I write software, or simply I work at amazon. The reality is they don’t actually care, they’re just making small talk to find some subject to have a conversation with you about.
“I work at Amazon”. And then they ask me if I really need to piss in a bottle because the breaks between moving boxes are too short.
Jeff, everyone knows the rules don't apply to *you*
Just tell them your TC and they will get it