this post was submitted on 16 Feb 2025
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Asklemmy

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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.

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[–] Pooptimist 1 points 9 hours ago* (last edited 9 hours ago)

I studied German philology for far too long because of sunken cost phalacy, while I had a monotone student job localizing e-learning presentations until I got laid off. Then I took part in a programming bootcamp and have been a Frontend Web developer for the last 4 years.

Recently, I'm feeling a little unsatisfied because I'm very much a jack of all trades, master of none kinda person, and to get further in my field I would have to have a really deep understanding of how things works under the hood, and those abstract things are very hard for me to grasp. Even harder since I had covid two years ago with ensuing brain fog for more than half a year, which still makes it harder to learn new things and keep them in my memory, which is quite sad because I always learned pretty fast...

Now that I have been part of this hamster wheel of corporate bullshit for quite some time I feel that I want to do more creative stuff with programming, as I was always interested in art and making music (which sadly also has declined because of perfectionism and anxiety), and creating visual stuff brings me into the zone where the hours fly by, but adapting some configs or working with abstract data stuff does not.

Should my job get taken by AI I want to do something with my hands, like wood or metal working, or something where I can help people, but let's see.

On the other hand I should be glad that I have a stable job that pays well and the people there are really nice, but I feel something is missing in my life. I tried to buy happiness and materialism, but somehow I was happier when I had less

[–] [email protected] 1 points 1 day ago

Software/solutions consultant, and union actor.

I mean I was. I mean I am. I dunno. 20 years in I.T. starting from programming to a 'senior tech consultant'. But was then made redundant. Didn't get a job straight away. Started working at my girlfriend's bar as a bartender & server.

That was over a year ago. 60+ applications for jobs in I.T.; zero interviews. WTF.

I'm trying to work out why & what to fix, but for now? I'm a server & actor.

I'm reading and tinkering with technologies but not nearly enough. And will have to explain the gap in employment.

It's getting harder to resist the urge to panic and break down.

[–] [email protected] 5 points 1 day ago

I am a carpenter. Which is to say I'm a generalist. I am self-employed. Rural. Pickup truck etc.

[–] root 3 points 1 day ago

Everyone here is using Lemmy and is either in SWE, Sys Engi, Sys Admin or DevOps.

/s kinda

[–] PM_Your_Nudes_Please 5 points 1 day ago* (last edited 1 day ago) (1 children)

I give people hearing damage.
(I run audio for live events.)

[–] DrownedRats 2 points 1 day ago

Hearing specialist (evil)

[–] [email protected] 3 points 1 day ago

911 call taker

[–] [email protected] 6 points 2 days ago

I'm an office manager at a methadone clinic. I'm working toward becoming a Drug and Alcohol Counselor. It's a wonderfully rewarding job and I can't wait to continue in the field.

[–] [email protected] 2 points 1 day ago

I shoot birds at the airport.

[–] UrukGuy 4 points 2 days ago (1 children)
[–] [email protected] 2 points 1 day ago (2 children)
[–] UrukGuy 2 points 1 day ago
[–] UrukGuy 3 points 1 day ago
[–] [email protected] 5 points 2 days ago

Electrical contractor, I’m actually posting from an attic right now. If you’re in a blue state and young, I strongly recommend you look into the field.

[–] [email protected] 2 points 1 day ago

Chronically unemployed

[–] ceramicsky 2 points 1 day ago

mathematician

[–] [email protected] 5 points 2 days ago

sysadmin of sorts. My job description is different day by day.

[–] [email protected] 3 points 2 days ago (1 children)

Architectural lighting designer. I love it and hate it. Love the complexity and endless learning about science and tech, and how to apply it creatively. Hate the contractors who put forward alternates and mess up the entire design intent only to pocket the difference.

Currently studying to change careers to be a game dev as a generalist for indie games.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 1 day ago (1 children)

Well stop spec’ing $30k lights when it come from the same factory as the $500 light. πŸ™‚

[–] [email protected] 1 points 1 day ago

That's the thing though! I'm specifying well priced lighting that has good support from the supplier, warranties that last 10 years, good colour temperature and degradation rates etc. And the alternatives are nowhere near the same quality and have a dodgy warranty! I'll put the alternatives through it they're truly like for like, but it never is.

[–] dingus 14 points 2 days ago (4 children)

I get to cut up human organs for a living. Whenever something is removed during surgery, it comes to me. It can be mundane but there are fun and interesting things too. The job is very hands on.

No, I'm not a surgeon. You wouldn't want me to attempt to perform surgery on you. I'm not a physician of any kind.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 1 day ago

Gimme an M! Gimme an L! Gimme a T!

What's that spell?

[–] [email protected] 7 points 2 days ago

What’s your job title?

[–] [email protected] 3 points 2 days ago

Are you in pathology?

[–] billwashere 1 points 2 days ago

So… more like a butcher?

[–] angrystego 5 points 2 days ago* (last edited 2 days ago)

Botanist, no research now, though, mainy education. It's pure fun.

[–] [email protected] 18 points 3 days ago

I am a jack of all trades, master of none. I'm a nobody, who likes to have fun. I'm easily distracted and lose focus a ton.

I am an amateur scientist, a cook, an author of unwritten books, I can't solve your problems but I'll still take a look.

I've been a toy soldier, a quick thinker, a recycling inventer and a useless tinker, who was once known as a legendary drinker.

I'm naturally shy but occasionally I'm bolder and i see beauty beyond the eye of the beholder as a student or mentor to both younger and older.

A person "who" cares, doesn't matter about "what", "when" I'm needed, "where" ever that may be, and sometimes "why". z.

I've walked a mile in your shoes and I ran so far away just to be the man who walked a 1000 miles to fall down at your door.

I never give up, never surrender, never gonna let you down, never gonna turn around, bright eyes, every now and then i fall apart.

A party of one, a party of five, a party of me, oh, ah, ah, ah, ah, staying alive, staying alive. As long as I know how to love I know I'll be alive, I will survive.

I want it all or maybe just a little bit off more than I can chew on that it's a piece of cake and eat it too rich for my blood is thicker than water you talking about?

Chances are, the odds are even, shirts versus skins. don't stop believin' that as far as I'm concerned, everybody wins or was kung fu fighting, thunderbolts and lightning, please.

Online I go by Lattrommi, the first and foremost, last but not least, mostly a man, still part beast, from the state of ohio in the united states of north america on this planet earth within the sol system somewhere along an arm of the milky way galaxy.

If you read all this, I hope you have a nice day.

[–] [email protected] 19 points 3 days ago (2 children)

Well sir, I step in front of cars and sue the drivers.

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[–] [email protected] 40 points 3 days ago

I always enter β€œexotic dancer” when a form requires me to for some bullshit reason.

[–] [email protected] 2 points 2 days ago

Work in a jail as a co. It's alright but pretty shitty at times. Pays decent and I can live a good life outside of work.

[–] [email protected] 3 points 2 days ago (1 children)

I straighten below hairs for Japanese adult entertainment employees. Usually a Philips does the job, however for some folks I've had to whip out the ironing board. It's a tough job.

[–] Pooptimist 1 points 9 hours ago (1 children)
[–] [email protected] 1 points 9 hours ago

When they get too long, the industry sells the hairs to Hollywood, for various props like long beards.
I don't get to meet anyone famous, though Sir Ian McKellen said thanks once or three times.

[–] ThatWeirdGuy1001 21 points 3 days ago (1 children)

I'm a lifelong cook. Been working in kitchens since I was 15 and I'm currently training to be the sous chef at my current location.

People shit on food service workers but the amount of practical real life skills I've acquired over the years has actually come in handy quite a few times.

[–] [email protected] 3 points 2 days ago (1 children)

but the amount of practical real life skills I’ve acquired over the years

Are there any particularly unexpected ones?

[–] ThatWeirdGuy1001 4 points 2 days ago* (last edited 2 days ago)

There's a couple for me.

Prioritization of tasks. The flaming pot is more important than the smoking oven.

The ability to move through a dense group of people without disrupting anyone.

Sense of urgency. You need to move with intention and do it quickly.

Injury assessment. You're not going home because you got 1st degree burns. Grit your teeth and push through. If you cut yourself it's a different story but unless your skin is sloughing off your fine.

[–] [email protected] 15 points 3 days ago (1 children)

I'm a Microsoft 365 admin. It's the easiest job I've ever had and it pays 6 figures. I don't even have a bachelor's, but no techie person likes Microsoft 365 so they avoid it like the plague, which I saw as an opportunity.

[–] [email protected] 5 points 2 days ago* (last edited 2 days ago) (1 children)

Microsoft 365

6 figures

What

Where do I apply ???

[–] [email protected] 2 points 2 days ago

Just search for "Microsoft 365 Admin" jobs. Glassdoor lists the range as 88k-131k. I'm in a low cost of living area, so I assume bigger cities would pay even better.

[–] dantheclamman 9 points 2 days ago (2 children)

Environmental Scientist. As my username suggests, my passion is studying bivalves. My day job involves studying nutrient cycling in San Francisco Bay (where clams come up quite a bit)! Through my work, I have also grown fascinated by phytoplankton

[–] [email protected] 3 points 2 days ago

Ayo! Fellow environmental scientist ;D

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[–] [email protected] 7 points 2 days ago

Process chemist. Got my MSc, worked as a medicinal chemist for a bit and realized it wasn't for me. Decided to get my PhD, then found my current job and its been perfect

[–] WhatsHerBucket 25 points 3 days ago* (last edited 3 days ago) (5 children)

Long time IT/cybersecurity.

Cybersecurity is all about curiosity and learning. I got there via the military.

E: too soon.

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[–] Electric_Druid 13 points 3 days ago (1 children)

Musician. Graduated college expecting to go into STEM but the work made me miserable. A little less financially stable now but I would trade that for my mental well-being 10 times out of 10.

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[–] dwemthy 2 points 2 days ago

Android programmer. Picked it up back in 2011 when I was a couple years out of school.

[–] [email protected] 21 points 3 days ago

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.

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