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.
sysadmin of sorts. My job description is different day by day.
Android programmer. Picked it up back in 2011 when I was a couple years out of school.
I’m currently a Site/Processing manager that dabbles in data, got there through beekeeping. I got a summer job working for a beekeeper (over 30 years. ago now) while doing a BSc in organic chemistry and never went back to uni - I was planning to go into lab work/food science in the dairy industry.
Researcher/academic. Been an interesting path from high school :)
I hope I wasn’t misleading but I am currently a PhD candidate, so on the final step towards getting my PhD.
My day is mostly writing, reading, then editing while playing with my cats, child, and partner on breaks :) and of course applying for money lol
Do you have a specific field of study? Do you work for a university? (just curious, please feel free to ignore)
I hope I wasn’t misleading but I am currently a PhD candidate, so on the final step towards getting my PhD. Since I am in academia and do conduct research I think it applies but I am not a professor yet. My field is Buddhist studies (Buddhologist). I work and am supported by my home university luckily.
Thank you for the answer 🙏🏾
Data engineering. Quite a change from my undergrad path.
Long time IT/cybersecurity.
Cybersecurity is all about curiosity and learning. I got there via the military.
E: too soon.
Wow it’s really cool someone from a military background went into the field of cybersecurity!
Is this common at all in cybersecurity?
There’s a lot of IT jobs in the military, and that includes cybersecurity.
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.
Any tips on how to break into the field as a SWE?
Learn everything you can, about everything you can,
and check out places you can practice your learning like Hack the Box or one of the other platforms.And go from there!
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.
Virtualization Engineer. Finally doing what I am passionate about. I was a stock broker 10 years ago. It was a crazy ride.
As a virtualization engineer, I work with VMware products (Now owned by Broadcom) to design and implement virtual infrastructure. This allows organizations to run multiple virtual machines on fewer physical servers, which enhances scalability and simplifies backup and recovery processes. Think of it as creating a digital version of a computer that can be easily adjusted and moved around.
Okay, I’m going to sound like a drooling moron here. When I see you say “virtual infrastructure” I’m imagining you make video game buildings in virtual reality. When you say “virtual machine” I think of a calculator, but in minecraft or something. So are you some kind of programming engineer? Or am I just too stupid to understand what your job is? Thanks for being patient with this troglodyte.
You aren’t a moron at all. If you haven’t been exposed to it I wouldn’t expect you to know what it is.
So virtualization is kind of like taking multiple computer operating systems and running them on one physical server. So instead of needing a physical server for each system, you can run dozens. Then you can have clusters of physical machines that are running hundreds of virtual machines (computers) per cluster.
Someone who understands Hyper-V
It’s very similar, but much worse.
I’m in IT. Wish I could have gotten into programming, but I’m just not suited to it for whatever reasons. I love tinkering on Linux boxes and figuring out networking issues. Interested in infosec, but discouraged by how many of those jobs involve working for the war machine.
I’m kind of in the same boat, thought I’d be programming but figured out early on that sitting at a desk coding for 8+ hours a day just wasn’t my thing. Turns out I’m happier doing all the other IT grunt work e.g. setting up servers, backups, dealing with the network/wireless/firewalls, even provisioning and supporting user desktops gets interesting.
counselor/mental health
I work Logisitcs Management and manage 200+ drivers for last-mile deliveries for a large company. I don’t like the company but I take pride in my work and the projects that I manage, but I’m using it as a stepping-stone for something better in the future
Dropship Door Nerf Gunner
HAAAWOOO!
HAAAWOOO!
HAAAWOOO!
Had to scroll way too far for this.
You work as a fog horn?
Werewolf? London by any chance?
“You see old friend. I brought more soldiers than you did” Lol my first thought as well
PROFESSIONAL HOG CRANKER? WOW BROTHER, YOU’RE LIVING MY DREAM! AROOOOO
