Ask the Mormon
- Emwok
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Flamin' Hot Cheetos?
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- Deepfreeze32
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So I have a rather serious question...
The more I think about it, the more I think that Software Engineering is just not for me. I don't like dealing with red tape, with bureaucracy, and with businesses when it comes to programming. I just don't. I find it to be, excuse the slightly strong word, a bastardization of something I love. Programming is a form of expression for me. It's like writing. And being constrained in the way businesses want me to be kills my enthusiasm for side-projects. Last summer, when I interned in the financial and insurance industry, I didn't write a line of code on my own time. I hated programming at that point. It brought me none of the pleasure it used to. On some level, I would rather never code professionally again than have my passion drained like that....
My long-term career goal has for a long time been a CS research professor. But universities want experienced people. I don't want to go to graduate school yet because it's harder to get employed as a Graduate Degree-holding Computer Scientist. I'm a scientist, not an engineer. I want to push the boundaries of computation, not have more boundaries imposed on me for pathetic reasons (If I hear "Legacy code support" one more time, I might murder someone...). I want to explore the unknown for the sake of exploring the unknown, not because of some "bottom line" or "business reason".
And no, I'm not saying businesses don't have legitimate reasons for imposing those boundaries. I'm saying that I would rather not code at all than have boundaries kill my passion for programming.
If I want to be a professor, I need experience. If I want experience, I have to deal with this problem. And this problem just might kill my enthusiasm for good.
I guess my question is more of a "What advice do you have?" type than anything else. I'm wallowing in this because I start a new job Monday after next. And I don't want to do it. Sorry for the stream of consciousness writing, I'm rather emotionally drained from this whole ordeal...
The more I think about it, the more I think that Software Engineering is just not for me. I don't like dealing with red tape, with bureaucracy, and with businesses when it comes to programming. I just don't. I find it to be, excuse the slightly strong word, a bastardization of something I love. Programming is a form of expression for me. It's like writing. And being constrained in the way businesses want me to be kills my enthusiasm for side-projects. Last summer, when I interned in the financial and insurance industry, I didn't write a line of code on my own time. I hated programming at that point. It brought me none of the pleasure it used to. On some level, I would rather never code professionally again than have my passion drained like that....
My long-term career goal has for a long time been a CS research professor. But universities want experienced people. I don't want to go to graduate school yet because it's harder to get employed as a Graduate Degree-holding Computer Scientist. I'm a scientist, not an engineer. I want to push the boundaries of computation, not have more boundaries imposed on me for pathetic reasons (If I hear "Legacy code support" one more time, I might murder someone...). I want to explore the unknown for the sake of exploring the unknown, not because of some "bottom line" or "business reason".
And no, I'm not saying businesses don't have legitimate reasons for imposing those boundaries. I'm saying that I would rather not code at all than have boundaries kill my passion for programming.
If I want to be a professor, I need experience. If I want experience, I have to deal with this problem. And this problem just might kill my enthusiasm for good.
I guess my question is more of a "What advice do you have?" type than anything else. I'm wallowing in this because I start a new job Monday after next. And I don't want to do it. Sorry for the stream of consciousness writing, I'm rather emotionally drained from this whole ordeal...
- Sstavix
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You've popped up again! How are things going?
- ArcticFox
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Leveling off, it seems. Mom has passed on, so all the chaos is settling down. Just have to go through the probate phase now but that won't be super intensive.
"He who takes offense when no offense is intended is a fool, and he who takes offense when offense is intended is a greater fool."
—Brigham Young
"Don't take refuge in the false security of consensus."
—Christopher Hitchens
—Brigham Young
"Don't take refuge in the false security of consensus."
—Christopher Hitchens
- Chozon1
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How are you doing?

- ArcticFox
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Better. Getting life back to normal helps a lot. Now I just need to get back into gaming 

"He who takes offense when no offense is intended is a fool, and he who takes offense when offense is intended is a greater fool."
—Brigham Young
"Don't take refuge in the false security of consensus."
—Christopher Hitchens
—Brigham Young
"Don't take refuge in the false security of consensus."
—Christopher Hitchens
- Chozon1
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What would be your melee weapon of choice for facing some sort of ancient evil horde?

- ArcticFox
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If I could only choose a weapon and nothing more, then I'd go with the hand-and-a-half sword for pure versatility.
"He who takes offense when no offense is intended is a fool, and he who takes offense when offense is intended is a greater fool."
—Brigham Young
"Don't take refuge in the false security of consensus."
—Christopher Hitchens
—Brigham Young
"Don't take refuge in the false security of consensus."
—Christopher Hitchens
- Emwok
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Flamethrowers?
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- Chozon1
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What are your thoughts on Heroclix?

- ArcticFox
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Only for my Space Marines.Emwok wrote:Flamethrowers?
It's cool, especially if you're into clicky-base games. I never really got into it but I have a few Man of Steel minis for it in my collection from when I was trying to find a Superman.Chozon1 wrote:What are your thoughts on Heroclix?
"He who takes offense when no offense is intended is a fool, and he who takes offense when offense is intended is a greater fool."
—Brigham Young
"Don't take refuge in the false security of consensus."
—Christopher Hitchens
—Brigham Young
"Don't take refuge in the false security of consensus."
—Christopher Hitchens
- Chozon1
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- Joined: Sun Dec 10, 2006 12:00 am
- Location: In the shadows. Waiting for an oppurtune moment to create a dramatic entrance.
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My local comic shop is having Heroclix Wednesdays. I'm debating whether or not to get into it.
It's just way too hot outside?
It's just way too hot outside?

- ArcticFox
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Better than last year, but yes it is. And I'm a guy with a busted A/C in his car...
"He who takes offense when no offense is intended is a fool, and he who takes offense when offense is intended is a greater fool."
—Brigham Young
"Don't take refuge in the false security of consensus."
—Christopher Hitchens
—Brigham Young
"Don't take refuge in the false security of consensus."
—Christopher Hitchens
- Emwok
- CCGR addict
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- Contact:
Is it very humid where you live?
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- ArcticFox
- CCGR addict
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VERY. And disgusting.Emwok wrote:Is it very humid where you live?
"He who takes offense when no offense is intended is a fool, and he who takes offense when offense is intended is a greater fool."
—Brigham Young
"Don't take refuge in the false security of consensus."
—Christopher Hitchens
—Brigham Young
"Don't take refuge in the false security of consensus."
—Christopher Hitchens