Why is it...

[jarandhel]

... that some people in the IT field seem to take one look at me and think "programmer"? This has happened to me twice now: when I started my classes in Computer Networking and Security, on the first day my teacher took one look at me and announced to the class that here we have a programmer. Now, today, I'm in a job interview and I get told that I remind the interviewer very strongly of a friend of his who is a progammer, both physically and in general manner.

Don't get me wrong, I am very interested in programming... I'm planning on focusing more of my efforts in that direction over time. I just don't understand this programmer "aura" I already seem to give off, considering that right now my programming skills are not particularly advanced. I would have thought such a thing would be developed with time and experience, and it's a bit disconcerting to give off that vibe as a newbie.

Comments

[rhiannasilel.livejournal.com]

Hey, don't knock it, use it to your advantage. I wouldn't BS what you do and don't know, but you don't have to volunteer a lack of knowledge either. I guess if I've learned one thing working at SR it's that. You wouldn't believe the complete and total amount of BS that floats around this place, it's frightening.

[jarandhel.livejournal.com]

I'd believe it. It's been my observation that BS is the norm in many fields. In fact, some fields appear to be entirely powered by it.

[technobushi.livejournal.com]

Happy birthday, Jarin.

[jarandhel.livejournal.com]

Thank you. :)

[dogemperor.livejournal.com]

Yeah, seriously, don't knock it and all--use it to your advantage :D

And happy birthday wishes :D

[jarandhel.livejournal.com]

Thank you. :)

[hummingwolf.livejournal.com]

If there is a programmer "aura" it probably has less to do with whatever skills a person has developed than it has to do with personality factors or styles of thinking that would go well with programming.

It's your birthday? Happy Birthday!

[jarandhel.livejournal.com]

That may be it. And with purely procedural programming (mainly BASIC), I am pretty good. It's more been object oriented/event driven stuff that's given me problems, and much of that stems from having gotten too used to procedural programming at a young age. I've gotten a lot better at that too, in recent years, I just don't consider myself up to snuff yet. Though, to be fair, I haven't exactly had the time to really focus on it yet and get super-comfortable with the languages and concepts. Maybe I'm just not giving myself enough credit...

And yes, it was. :) I'm 26 now. :) Thank you! :)

[helen99.livejournal.com]

I always thought you have more of a "master craftsman" or "alchemist" feel... I could see you making precision watches and clocks, or mixing intricate potions, both healing and poisonous.

Maybe such things translate to "Progammer" in many people's perceptions. Programmers are analogous to craftsmen and alchemists in that they start with one thing, run it through a process of their own devising, and the result is something more refined.

[jarandhel.livejournal.com]

Heh... interesting. That's definitely not the way I see myself, though I'm flattered by the description. The closest I come to alchemy is really just puttering around in the kitchen these days. ;-)

Also, the idea that maybe they're seeing something analogous to programmer and thinking programmer is intriguing. My own mind somewhat correlates programmer with "chaos mage" in some respects, which is something I used to call myself and have not for some time, though I've considered (and for the moment at least decided against) a return to that descriptor. I'm presently leaning towards "syncretic technoshaman" as the best descriptor for my present path. Not sure what that translates to in more mundane terms... I'm still working out exactly what it means for me.

[kalwein.livejournal.com]

Easy. Network and security engineers tend to fill roles in large organizations often requiring them to be the final/most knowledgeable arbiter of a given dispute. This is part and parcel of their "expert" role. Over time, most of them develop a certain aura that is a combination of authority/ arrogance/ know it all and tend towards a certain level of active dominance, at least for the first 7-10 years of their careers. If they survive that long they tend to become technical managers... You don't quite have that attitude. Consider it a strength. Seriously consider whether or not you want to work in a field that cultivates it.

Just my 2 cents worth...

Ben -- Professional Network Engineer, Project Manager and Adventurer

[jarandhel.livejournal.com]

Hmm... that's an interesting perspective. Thank you.

[draerendi.livejournal.com]

You are geeky?
serious though you are a thinker. You project thinker and programers do a lot of it. I am an analyst type personality. I think logicaly and in the abstract. You go deeper in your thought processes to disect and reassemble. It is not a bad thing. You do a lot of self training and it shows. Take it as a complement. You just need to have faith in your abilities. It does not matter how new you are because you work hard at it.

[jarandhel.livejournal.com]

Thank you. I will try to have more faith in myself. :)

[animelily.livejournal.com]

Happy Birthday!

*shrugs* At least it's good to be able to give a good first impression.

[jarandhel.livejournal.com]

Thank you! :)

And yeah, it is, just weird that the impression is specifically "programmer" and not more generic "IT Guy" or something.

from a user's perspective...

[kitten-goddess.livejournal.com]

You have long hair, are balding, and can speak enough computerese to intimidate most typical users. You have big-time geek aura.

Of course people are going to go "programmer" because that's the only IT position they understand. A programmer writes the instructions for the computer to make it do stuff. Simple. A SysOp? Computer Ops? What's that??

Re: from a user's perspective...

[jarandhel.livejournal.com]

I'd agree with that, except both times it was people who were themselves in the IT field who have said it. My Computer Networking and Security teacher definitely knew what a sysadmin was. The gentleman I was interviewing for an IT position with also did. If it was regular users saying it, I'd dismiss it much more easily.