What do you do?

Why is it that I dread that question so much?  Whenever someone asks, “so, what do you do?” I pause for a second thinking about what the chances are that the person I'm talking to might actually have enough technical background to have any clue what I'm about to say.  I usually conclude that there is about 0% chance that they will have even the slightest clue.  Could it be that the way I go about explaining what I do is just incomprehensible to all but those in the same profession?  When someone asks what you do, what do you say?  Do you tailor it to the audience or just give them the description you've come up with and hope for the best?  Share your “what do you do“ description in the comments of this post so I can give it a try on the next sorry soul who asks me. :-)

 

# re: What do you do?

Sunday, June 13, 2004 1:21 PM by Shannon J Hager    
I usually say "computers/it".

But I substitute an "h" for the slash.

# re: What do you do?

Sunday, June 13, 2004 1:47 PM by Jason Mauss    
I just say "computers" or "software" 99.9% of the time. Most people that ask me the question of "what do you do?" are smart enough to realize they probably don't know enough about computers and/or software for there to be a point in asking further questions and the conversation then switches topics.

# re: What do you do?

Sunday, June 13, 2004 2:38 PM by Blair    
It's pretty much impossible.
For written applications that ask position, I just put Programmer.

If people ask, I generally stick with programmer. And quickly follow with computer programmer. Sounds cornly but they get a good idea.

I actually do software infrastructure and design which obviously does a lot more, but is pretty much lost on 99.9% of the population. I’ve tried to explain what this is but it’s pretty much impossible IMHO :)


# re: What do you do?

Sunday, June 13, 2004 8:29 PM by Andrew Whitten    
'Software Architect' sounds good, although you run the risk of being seen as not being a 'Real' architect.

# re: What do you do?

Sunday, June 13, 2004 9:20 PM by DonXML Demsak    
I just tell them that I'm a consultant. If they asked again, I just tell them "whatever the client asks me to do". :)

# RE: What do you do?

Sunday, June 13, 2004 10:29 PM by ajunod@NOSPAMMEsnet.net (Aaron Junod)    
If asked in person, I say "I make software" to see if I should go futher. The empty nod usually means they have no clue. If asked on paper, its software developer.

# re: What do you do?

Sunday, June 13, 2004 10:41 PM by Steve    
Well it's good to hear everyone else is having the same experience (which I figured). I've tried most of what has been mentioned as well. The one thing which is frustrating is that by giving such a generic response and letting it go you could be missing an opportunity for networking or finding a client. How does your response change if you think the person your talking to, albeit not technical, could be a potential client?

# RE: What do you do?

Sunday, June 13, 2004 10:59 PM by Eric Wise    
I am a programmer, specializing in business logic. Basically I examine how people do their day-to-day work, and then create software that helps them be more efficient. It's a fun job because not only do I have to understand computers and programming, but I also have to understand everyone else's job and how their job relates to the company as a whole.

That usually impresses people without being too technical.

# re: What do you do?

Monday, June 14, 2004 12:00 AM by Darrell    
Like DonXML said, I'm a consultant. If people are more interested, I say "IT Consultant". And if they get that far and want to know more, I can dive into "software developer".

# re: What do you do?

Monday, June 14, 2004 6:37 AM by Mark C    
I tell people that I am a foot model. It saves me alot of time.

# re: What do you do?

Monday, June 14, 2004 12:49 PM by Thomas Williams    
Guys, I agree, I start with "I'm a computer geek" which helps me determine the people taht really want to know more, versus the people that were going to think I'm a computer geek anyway. Strange thing is I don't consider myself a computer geek - to me, I'm a "programmer" or "developer" internally (is that too limiting?)

# re: What do you do?

Monday, June 14, 2004 1:10 PM by Steve    
Mark, I'll have to try the foot model line :)


# re: What do you do?

Monday, June 14, 2004 1:59 PM by Steve Hebert    
"When people ask me what I do for a living, I tell them I'm paid to arrange 0s and 1s in new and creative ways that noone has thought of before." - Mike Blaszcak, Microsoft MFC Team 7 or 8 years ago.

# re: What do you do?

Monday, June 14, 2004 10:31 PM by Steve    
Nice! Would that lead to Thomas' "I'm a computer geek"? :-)

# re: What do you do?

Monday, June 14, 2004 10:32 PM by gid    
I always give the most dumb down answer I can.
I always say:
I work with computers.
Then if they dig deeper then I give more. Though, I find that my pat answer usually suffices.

# re: What do you do?

Tuesday, June 15, 2004 1:01 AM by Steve Hebert    
That's pretty much nails it on the head.

Then I followup by telling them how I "saved the people of Kazath-Tor with a level 18 Sorcerer".

I borrowed that last line from the causticTech blog. Funny stuff (unless you're offended by a little colorful language)... <a target="_new" href="http://caustictech.typepad.com/caustictech/2004/06/why_do_programm.html">http://caustictech.typepad.com/caustictech/2004/06/why_do_programm.html</a>

# re: What do you do?

Thursday, June 24, 2004 7:22 PM by William Huang    
Every time when I have my lunch, the first thing I do is to determine sth. I determine whether it is the lunch time. I determine whether the lunch for me is venenous. I determine whether the lunch is my liking, etc. And then, is to start up my eating mind. There are different ways to eat different food, functions of eating method will be called when I meet different food. The whole procedure of having my lunch, will be cut into part procedures. I also log errors, actions of every part procedures.

So what do I do? A lunch haver.

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