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.

  • WhatsHerBucket@lemmy.world
    201·
    2 months ago

    Long time IT/cybersecurity.

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

    E: too soon.

    • Eagle0110@lemmy.worldEnglish
      6·
      2 months ago

      Wow it’s really cool someone from a military background went into the field of cybersecurity!

      Is this common at all in cybersecurity?

      • WhatsHerBucket@lemmy.world
        2·
        2 months ago

        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.

  • Jeena@piefed.jeena.netEnglish
    17·
    2 months 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.

  • boletus@sh.itjust.works
    11·
    2 months ago

    Game developer (software engineer) We get paid less than conventional software but it’s very rewarding work on its own.

  • ThatWeirdGuy1001@lemmy.world
    11·
    2 months ago

    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.

      • ocean@lemmy.selfhostcat.comEnglish
        2·
        2 months ago

        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

    • 2ugly2live@lemmy.world
      2·
      2 months ago

      Do you have a specific field of study? Do you work for a university? (just curious, please feel free to ignore)

      • ocean@lemmy.selfhostcat.comEnglish
        2·
        2 months ago

        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.

  • electric_nan@lemmy.ml
    9·
    2 months ago

    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.

    • Otherbarry@lemmy.frozeninferno.xyzEnglish
      7·
      2 months ago

      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.

    • whoisearth@lemmy.ca
      4·
      2 months ago

      LOL I mean I can probably say the same thing and I gotta tell you. It’s amazing the people out there that want to:

      1. Control the narrative of the data
      2. Suppress the data

      I’ll use just a simple example of tracking incidents in your organization. It’s so polarizing like people how do you expect to improve if you can’t acknowledge your faults?

      Extrapolate that to the current political climate.

  • DozensOfDonner@mander.xyz
    8·
    2 months ago

    Manager in the neuroscience lab where I did my PhD. Actually pretty nice because I know the lab and everyone so we’ll I can often do the management in a few hours and then just focus on my research (finishing my thesis because behavior plus in vivo neurophysiology takes more like 7 years instead of 4 lol). Although, there can be some very stressful moments, big grants or so (and my boss is one of those breathing-science profs that will msg on WhatsApp on the weekend or days off lol, but yeah fuck that). I learned that I’m not good enough/invested enough to actually become a PI or prof, so this management stuff is pretty nice on the edge. I don’t have the responsibilities but my opinion is often respected due to my research experience in the lab. Pay is shit tho.

    • runner_g@lemmy.blahaj.zoneEnglish
      1·
      2 months ago

      I manage an infectious disease monitoring lab in industry. Pay’s a whole lot better out here, and my team is amazing and self-driven so I can do minimal people managing.

  • Kit@lemmy.blahaj.zone
    7·
    2 months ago

    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.

  • Electric_Druid@lemmy.world
    7·
    2 months ago

    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.