4 answers
Jennifer
Student
Lynn, Massachusetts
6
Questions
Updated
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How does a day look like for a computer programmer? Is it fun ?
Hi, Im a Junior in high school and I'm considering becoming a computer engineer. My dad is currently a computer programer, but he never goes into details of what he does with the computer. I would like to know how would it look like a regular day at work and how fun is it. #computer #computer-engineering #computer-programming #computer-hardware #computer-engineer
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4 answers
Aaron Westley
Massachusetts
15
Answers
Northborough, Massachusetts
Updated
Aaron’s Answer
Good question. Ultimately it will depend on what you consider fun. What I mean by that is you need to find out what type of programming you enjoy. Not specific to a language (that changes) but what you enjoy creating. If you don't know, find out. Programming can be fun if you are doing what you like. It is kind of like asking "Do you like sports?". The answer will change depending on the specific sport. You might like skiing but hate golf.
Next, I would ask "Where do you want to end up?". Do you have goals of ending up in a certain position or work environment? You need to find your fit. I know people that do QA work at a huge company and love it. I personally can't stand that.
Regardless you can expect to have a lot of work that isn't fun. I'm sure you already know that. Becoming good at something means a lot of work. A considerable amount of that won't be fun. Stick to it and you can make it to where you want to end up.
What does a day look like?
It will change as you progress in your field.
You can expect an average day to be filled with a few meetings to discuss the status of projects. Eventually gaining insight into the effort of sizing tasks you will be working on. As your skills increase you will get involved in more of the architectural discussions (the fun stuff, at least for me). The better you get the more strategic visibility you will get. In the meantime expect to be unit testing and debugging. They say the average programmer only writes about 10 lines of code a day. Honestly, this isn't a very helpful metric for many reasons. Regardless, some days will feel true. Other days you will spend deleting code ;).
To summarize. Find out specifically what you like to do. Focus on what you like to do and focus on creating. Creating something is what it is all about. That will always be fun.
Next, I would ask "Where do you want to end up?". Do you have goals of ending up in a certain position or work environment? You need to find your fit. I know people that do QA work at a huge company and love it. I personally can't stand that.
Regardless you can expect to have a lot of work that isn't fun. I'm sure you already know that. Becoming good at something means a lot of work. A considerable amount of that won't be fun. Stick to it and you can make it to where you want to end up.
What does a day look like?
It will change as you progress in your field.
You can expect an average day to be filled with a few meetings to discuss the status of projects. Eventually gaining insight into the effort of sizing tasks you will be working on. As your skills increase you will get involved in more of the architectural discussions (the fun stuff, at least for me). The better you get the more strategic visibility you will get. In the meantime expect to be unit testing and debugging. They say the average programmer only writes about 10 lines of code a day. Honestly, this isn't a very helpful metric for many reasons. Regardless, some days will feel true. Other days you will spend deleting code ;).
To summarize. Find out specifically what you like to do. Focus on what you like to do and focus on creating. Creating something is what it is all about. That will always be fun.
Thank you!
Joe LaFerriere
Product Technologist - Dell Solutions Excellence Center
60
Answers
Nashville, Tennessee
Updated
Joe’s Answer
Fun? I would have to say that it can be challenging, with long days of sometimes tedious work capped with some great moments. Sometimes you are given a task and you may spend days to complete a standard project. Then there are those projects where it may look impossible...but you solved the problems and produced a solid application.
So is it fun...yes.
So is it fun...yes.
david guimbellot
engineer
2
Answers
Orlando, Florida
Updated
david’s Answer
It's fun if you like to solve problems that have definite answers. Computers are know-able which means the work we do is more concrete than concrete! Software development changes quickly too. New languages, new technologies, and new opportunities come to this industry faster than most other working environments. Software eats everything really means that adding automation and smarts to a space is just imagination plus engineering.
good luck
good luck
Esther Carter
Software Engineering
22
Answers
Springville, Utah
Updated
Esther’s Answer
Is it fun? That depends on your personality. Think about these questions:
- Do you like working with computers? Maybe you enjoy adding mods to video games, designing websites, or customizing your laptop.
- Do you like logic puzzles, strategy games, or math?
- Do you enjoy spending time alone, getting lost in your own thoughts while you solve problems? Computer programmers tend to be (though aren’t always) introverted.
If you answer yes to these questions, then yes! Computer programming would definitely be fun! However, if these all sound miserable, then you probably wouldn’t enjoy computer programming.
- Do you like working with computers? Maybe you enjoy adding mods to video games, designing websites, or customizing your laptop.
- Do you like logic puzzles, strategy games, or math?
- Do you enjoy spending time alone, getting lost in your own thoughts while you solve problems? Computer programmers tend to be (though aren’t always) introverted.
If you answer yes to these questions, then yes! Computer programming would definitely be fun! However, if these all sound miserable, then you probably wouldn’t enjoy computer programming.