6 answers
Alex
Student
Palo Alto, California
1
Question
Asked
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What are the things you like and dislike about being a software engineer ?
I am 16 years old and interested in a computer science career.
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6 answers
Omer Omer
Software Engineer
1
Answer
Charlotte, North Carolina
Updated
Omer’s Answer
Likes:
- Enjoy the challenge of solving complex problems
- Appreciate the many opportunities for career growth
- Value a healthy work-life balance
- Thrive on the constant learning and evolution of technology
Dislikes:
- the amount of time spent in front of a screen
- Occasionally have to work late to meet deadlines
- Enjoy the challenge of solving complex problems
- Appreciate the many opportunities for career growth
- Value a healthy work-life balance
- Thrive on the constant learning and evolution of technology
Dislikes:
- the amount of time spent in front of a screen
- Occasionally have to work late to meet deadlines
Stephen Liu
Senior Software Engineer
10
Answers
Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
Updated
Stephen’s Answer
Hi,
Being a software engineer certainly has its mix of positives and negatives. Here are some aspects that resonate with me:
Pros:
Problem-Solving: It's rewarding to work through challenging issues and see your solutions in action.
Innovation: The opportunity to design and create new software is quite fulfilling, as each project brings a chance to innovate.
Learning Curve: The industry's rapid evolution means there's always something new to learn, which keeps my work engaging.
Teamwork: Collaborating with talented colleagues brings diverse ideas and learning opportunities, which I greatly value.
Work Flexibility: Many roles offer the ability to work remotely or have flexible hours, which is a significant plus.
Compensation: The field often offers competitive salaries and benefits.
Impact: There's a sense of accomplishment in knowing that the software I help develop is useful and impacts people's lives.
Cons:
Sedentary Nature: This job involves a lot of time at a desk, which can be a challenge for physical health.
Keeping Pace: The rapid pace of technological change requires constant learning, which can sometimes feel overwhelming.
Pressure: Deadlines can lead to stress, especially when trying to deliver complex projects on time.
Debugging: It can be a tedious and time-consuming process to identify and fix issues, particularly elusive bugs.
Legacy Systems: Working with outdated code can limit the application of newer, more efficient solutions.
Meetings: While necessary, frequent meetings can disrupt the workflow and reduce productive coding time.
Burnout Potential: Due to the high demands and fast pace, there's a risk of burnout, which needs to be managed proactively.
I hope this gives you a nuanced view of what it's like to work in this field.
Being a software engineer certainly has its mix of positives and negatives. Here are some aspects that resonate with me:
Pros:
Problem-Solving: It's rewarding to work through challenging issues and see your solutions in action.
Innovation: The opportunity to design and create new software is quite fulfilling, as each project brings a chance to innovate.
Learning Curve: The industry's rapid evolution means there's always something new to learn, which keeps my work engaging.
Teamwork: Collaborating with talented colleagues brings diverse ideas and learning opportunities, which I greatly value.
Work Flexibility: Many roles offer the ability to work remotely or have flexible hours, which is a significant plus.
Compensation: The field often offers competitive salaries and benefits.
Impact: There's a sense of accomplishment in knowing that the software I help develop is useful and impacts people's lives.
Cons:
Sedentary Nature: This job involves a lot of time at a desk, which can be a challenge for physical health.
Keeping Pace: The rapid pace of technological change requires constant learning, which can sometimes feel overwhelming.
Pressure: Deadlines can lead to stress, especially when trying to deliver complex projects on time.
Debugging: It can be a tedious and time-consuming process to identify and fix issues, particularly elusive bugs.
Legacy Systems: Working with outdated code can limit the application of newer, more efficient solutions.
Meetings: While necessary, frequent meetings can disrupt the workflow and reduce productive coding time.
Burnout Potential: Due to the high demands and fast pace, there's a risk of burnout, which needs to be managed proactively.
I hope this gives you a nuanced view of what it's like to work in this field.
Rafael Diaz Montelongo
Consultant
235
Answers
Raleigh, North Carolina
Updated
Rafael’s Answer
Software engineers love the thrill of problem-solving and the chance to be creative in designing software solutions. They enjoy the continuous learning opportunities in a field that's always evolving. Collaboration and flexible work hours are also big pluses. On the flip side, long hours and high-pressure situations can be a downer. Keeping up with the rapid pace of technology can be challenging, and debugging can be a real headache. Plus, some projects can get repetitive and boring. Remember, everyone's experience is different, so it's good to explore and talk to professors and professionals to get a better feel for the job. Best of luck!
Thanks for the help.
Alex
James Constantine Frangos
Consultant Dietitian & Software Developer since 1972 => Nutrition Education => Health & Longevity => Self-Actualization.
6342
Answers
Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia
Updated
James Constantine’s Answer
Dear Alex,
Here's a bit about me: I've been a self-taught computer enthusiast since 1972, mastering ten different programming languages. My portfolio includes large-scale projects like medical report generation and nutrition education software. One of my long-term projects, Diet Wizard, has been a work-in-progress for 30 years, and I've chosen Microsoft Visual Studio Professional Version 2017 as my primary tool.
As for the challenges, there haven't been many aspects of being a software engineer that I dislike. However, there were times in the 90s when I was overworked, which led to the brink of burnout. Balancing my day job as a dietitian-nutritionist and developing software at night was demanding. It took the advice of a Queensland Health executive officer for me to take a break and ease my workload.
Now, for some advice for you at 16. The world is truly your oyster! Don't fret over AI potentially taking over programming jobs. Remember, AI will always need human input for programming to ensure it remains a tool for service, not for control or governance. It's crucial that we prevent AI from encroaching on areas like judgement, incarceration, parole decisions, governance, religion, military, and politics.
May God bless you!
James Constantine.
Here's a bit about me: I've been a self-taught computer enthusiast since 1972, mastering ten different programming languages. My portfolio includes large-scale projects like medical report generation and nutrition education software. One of my long-term projects, Diet Wizard, has been a work-in-progress for 30 years, and I've chosen Microsoft Visual Studio Professional Version 2017 as my primary tool.
As for the challenges, there haven't been many aspects of being a software engineer that I dislike. However, there were times in the 90s when I was overworked, which led to the brink of burnout. Balancing my day job as a dietitian-nutritionist and developing software at night was demanding. It took the advice of a Queensland Health executive officer for me to take a break and ease my workload.
Now, for some advice for you at 16. The world is truly your oyster! Don't fret over AI potentially taking over programming jobs. Remember, AI will always need human input for programming to ensure it remains a tool for service, not for control or governance. It's crucial that we prevent AI from encroaching on areas like judgement, incarceration, parole decisions, governance, religion, military, and politics.
May God bless you!
James Constantine.
Ekta Verma
Cloud Professional
5
Answers
Noida, Uttar Pradesh, India
Updated
Ekta’s Answer
Hello,
Greetings!
Being a software engineer is indeed a remarkable career choice. Your future shines brilliantly in this field, teeming with endless possibilities. This path offers you a plethora of avenues to explore and a vast array of new concepts to learn.
The potential for growth in this field is immense and the prospects for a lucrative salary are equally impressive.
Advantages:
- Excellent career progression opportunities
- Attractive salary increments
- Constant exposure to innovative technologies
- Diverse roles to choose from such as Developer, Tester, Programmer, Analyst, etc.
Challenges:
- Prolonged use of computers may strain your eyes
- Lack of field work as it primarily involves desk-based tasks.
Greetings!
Being a software engineer is indeed a remarkable career choice. Your future shines brilliantly in this field, teeming with endless possibilities. This path offers you a plethora of avenues to explore and a vast array of new concepts to learn.
The potential for growth in this field is immense and the prospects for a lucrative salary are equally impressive.
Advantages:
- Excellent career progression opportunities
- Attractive salary increments
- Constant exposure to innovative technologies
- Diverse roles to choose from such as Developer, Tester, Programmer, Analyst, etc.
Challenges:
- Prolonged use of computers may strain your eyes
- Lack of field work as it primarily involves desk-based tasks.
Katherine Griffin
Software Engineer
7
Answers
Raleigh, North Carolina
Updated
Katherine’s Answer
One thing that I really like is the ability to continually challenge myself and try out new problems and solutions. I'm never bored at work because I'm constantly thinking and experiencing new technologies. One thing that I didn't know before becoming a software engineer was that you can be oncall for your service, which may require you to be available to answer questions and solve incidents outside of work hours. It's an interesting part of the job.