Does anybody actually enjoy the place they work?
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What is it that makes it enjoyable? Do you have a good manager or a poor one but good co-workers? Is the work exciting or is there some other perk to the job that helps you forget how boring the work is? There are a lot of great programmers on this site, I'm curious if you were able to find jobs you enjoyed. If so, how long did it take you to find it?
I worked at Infragistics for a while. That was a great job (not that my current one isn't). I liked it because the code was top notch, the products were cool, the co-workers were smart and dedicated (and nice people), and I had a cube-with-a-view. I'm a consultant now, so my job definition is much more fluid. It's hard to define because it might change in a month or three. I like that aspect of my job, too.
:josh: My WPF Blog[^]
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What is it that makes it enjoyable? Do you have a good manager or a poor one but good co-workers? Is the work exciting or is there some other perk to the job that helps you forget how boring the work is? There are a lot of great programmers on this site, I'm curious if you were able to find jobs you enjoyed. If so, how long did it take you to find it?
Yes. 1. I work at home 2. I am my own manager 3. I usually work solo rather than on a team 4. Job perks include going on bike rides in the middle of the day, having a cat to pet (for cat lovers only), being able to take a nap when I want, being able to surf whatever website I want, being able to play a game whenever I want, and blowing off work whenever I want. As to how long did it take to find this job? Ages. Quite frankly, being self-employed is very difficult and tons of work and lots of luck. Being self-employed is very similar to being self-unemployed--the line is there, all the time. But the benefits is that I work first for me. [edit]One more thing--being able to do something during the day and make up the time in the evening or weekend is really, really, nice.[/edit] Marc
Some people believe what the bible says. Literally. At least [with Wikipedia] you have the chance to correct the wiki -- Jörgen Sigvardsson
People are just notoriously impossible. --DavidCrow
-- modified at 14:23 Friday 21st July, 2006
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Yes. 1. I work at home 2. I am my own manager 3. I usually work solo rather than on a team 4. Job perks include going on bike rides in the middle of the day, having a cat to pet (for cat lovers only), being able to take a nap when I want, being able to surf whatever website I want, being able to play a game whenever I want, and blowing off work whenever I want. As to how long did it take to find this job? Ages. Quite frankly, being self-employed is very difficult and tons of work and lots of luck. Being self-employed is very similar to being self-unemployed--the line is there, all the time. But the benefits is that I work first for me. [edit]One more thing--being able to do something during the day and make up the time in the evening or weekend is really, really, nice.[/edit] Marc
Some people believe what the bible says. Literally. At least [with Wikipedia] you have the chance to correct the wiki -- Jörgen Sigvardsson
People are just notoriously impossible. --DavidCrow
-- modified at 14:23 Friday 21st July, 2006
That must be wonderful. Good for you!
:josh: My WPF Blog[^]
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Yes. 1. I work at home 2. I am my own manager 3. I usually work solo rather than on a team 4. Job perks include going on bike rides in the middle of the day, having a cat to pet (for cat lovers only), being able to take a nap when I want, being able to surf whatever website I want, being able to play a game whenever I want, and blowing off work whenever I want. As to how long did it take to find this job? Ages. Quite frankly, being self-employed is very difficult and tons of work and lots of luck. Being self-employed is very similar to being self-unemployed--the line is there, all the time. But the benefits is that I work first for me. [edit]One more thing--being able to do something during the day and make up the time in the evening or weekend is really, really, nice.[/edit] Marc
Some people believe what the bible says. Literally. At least [with Wikipedia] you have the chance to correct the wiki -- Jörgen Sigvardsson
People are just notoriously impossible. --DavidCrow
-- modified at 14:23 Friday 21st July, 2006
Marc Clifton wrote:
the benefits is that I work first for me.
Amen to that :)
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Yes. 1. I work at home 2. I am my own manager 3. I usually work solo rather than on a team 4. Job perks include going on bike rides in the middle of the day, having a cat to pet (for cat lovers only), being able to take a nap when I want, being able to surf whatever website I want, being able to play a game whenever I want, and blowing off work whenever I want. As to how long did it take to find this job? Ages. Quite frankly, being self-employed is very difficult and tons of work and lots of luck. Being self-employed is very similar to being self-unemployed--the line is there, all the time. But the benefits is that I work first for me. [edit]One more thing--being able to do something during the day and make up the time in the evening or weekend is really, really, nice.[/edit] Marc
Some people believe what the bible says. Literally. At least [with Wikipedia] you have the chance to correct the wiki -- Jörgen Sigvardsson
People are just notoriously impossible. --DavidCrow
-- modified at 14:23 Friday 21st July, 2006
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I also operate from home, but the biggest problem is distractions. Either from my partner or my kids, sometimes they really get in the way, especially when trying to think through a problem. And now UK School holidays have started.
Richard A. Abbott wrote:
the biggest problem is distractions. Either from my partner or my kids, sometimes they really get in the way, especially when trying to think through a problem
Same here, you're not the only one. Trying to get my house addition done so I can turn one of the old bedrooms into a study/office.
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Yes. 1. I work at home 2. I am my own manager 3. I usually work solo rather than on a team 4. Job perks include going on bike rides in the middle of the day, having a cat to pet (for cat lovers only), being able to take a nap when I want, being able to surf whatever website I want, being able to play a game whenever I want, and blowing off work whenever I want. As to how long did it take to find this job? Ages. Quite frankly, being self-employed is very difficult and tons of work and lots of luck. Being self-employed is very similar to being self-unemployed--the line is there, all the time. But the benefits is that I work first for me. [edit]One more thing--being able to do something during the day and make up the time in the evening or weekend is really, really, nice.[/edit] Marc
Some people believe what the bible says. Literally. At least [with Wikipedia] you have the chance to correct the wiki -- Jörgen Sigvardsson
People are just notoriously impossible. --DavidCrow
-- modified at 14:23 Friday 21st July, 2006
I did work at home for a while and enjoyed it immensely. I missed the connection to people though. Maybe if I could do half and half? :-D
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I also operate from home, but the biggest problem is distractions. Either from my partner or my kids, sometimes they really get in the way, especially when trying to think through a problem. And now UK School holidays have started.
Richard A. Abbott wrote:
And now UK School holidays have started.
I really enjoy summer vacation. I shift my work schedule so that I can spend the mornings with my son, biking, etc., and make up the time in the evenings after dinner, when my girlfriend is usually prepping for the next day at her daycare. But then again, my son is 15, and he can entertain himself. Actually, he's been able to do that since he was little, mainly because I "forced" him to learn how to occupy himself at an early age, like 4, and without TV or video games. Marc
Some people believe what the bible says. Literally. At least [with Wikipedia] you have the chance to correct the wiki -- Jörgen Sigvardsson
People are just notoriously impossible. --DavidCrow
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I worked at Infragistics for a while. That was a great job (not that my current one isn't). I liked it because the code was top notch, the products were cool, the co-workers were smart and dedicated (and nice people), and I had a cube-with-a-view. I'm a consultant now, so my job definition is much more fluid. It's hard to define because it might change in a month or three. I like that aspect of my job, too.
:josh: My WPF Blog[^]
Sounds nice. A tools company like Infragistics would definitely be interesting. Most of my work has been in businesses that specialize in something besides IT. But a tools company you specialize in a particular IT area. Maybe I should give that a shot. Consulting's fun too. You don't stay anywhere for too long, but it can be stressful and demanding as well.
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What is it that makes it enjoyable? Do you have a good manager or a poor one but good co-workers? Is the work exciting or is there some other perk to the job that helps you forget how boring the work is? There are a lot of great programmers on this site, I'm curious if you were able to find jobs you enjoyed. If so, how long did it take you to find it?
Mine is the lack of interesting and challenging work, the equipment, the IT security restrictions, and the lack of flexible hours. I could go on, but you get the idea...
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I did work at home for a while and enjoyed it immensely. I missed the connection to people though. Maybe if I could do half and half? :-D
Dustin Metzgar wrote:
Maybe if I could do half and half?
That would rock!
Dustin Metzgar wrote:
I missed the connection to people though
CodeProject Lounge seems pretty alright to me :)
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Sounds nice. A tools company like Infragistics would definitely be interesting. Most of my work has been in businesses that specialize in something besides IT. But a tools company you specialize in a particular IT area. Maybe I should give that a shot. Consulting's fun too. You don't stay anywhere for too long, but it can be stressful and demanding as well.
Dustin Metzgar wrote:
A tools company like Infragistics would definitely be interesting.
I highly recommend it.
Dustin Metzgar wrote:
Consulting's fun too. You don't stay anywhere for too long, but it can be stressful and demanding as well.
Yeah, but it pays really well. ;) I'm currently in a very low-stress environment, but I'm sure it can get hairy. Did I mention that it pays well? :-D
:josh: My WPF Blog[^]
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Richard A. Abbott wrote:
And now UK School holidays have started.
I really enjoy summer vacation. I shift my work schedule so that I can spend the mornings with my son, biking, etc., and make up the time in the evenings after dinner, when my girlfriend is usually prepping for the next day at her daycare. But then again, my son is 15, and he can entertain himself. Actually, he's been able to do that since he was little, mainly because I "forced" him to learn how to occupy himself at an early age, like 4, and without TV or video games. Marc
Some people believe what the bible says. Literally. At least [with Wikipedia] you have the chance to correct the wiki -- Jörgen Sigvardsson
People are just notoriously impossible. --DavidCrow
On school holidays, my work usually gets shifted to "the midnight hours" thus no disturbances until the following morning. Assuming I am not woken too early through arguments and shouting matches.
Marc Clifton wrote:
without TV or video games
Now that is most unusual in this day and age, and is some achievement. How often were the tantrums?
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What is it that makes it enjoyable? Do you have a good manager or a poor one but good co-workers? Is the work exciting or is there some other perk to the job that helps you forget how boring the work is? There are a lot of great programmers on this site, I'm curious if you were able to find jobs you enjoyed. If so, how long did it take you to find it?
I enjoy where I work most of the time. I have, for the most part, a great boss. My co-workers are mostly great. But, the work is terrrrrrrribly boring at times and I truly dislike coding in JavaScript these days. But, the perks are good and the work hours are mostly to my choosing. So, even though the pay is a bit below market, I can't complain and I am treated well. That being said, I am leaving in two weeks to take FMLA to spend time with my baby boy and in all honesty, I probably won’t be coming back. I plan on focusing on my side contracts and turning them into 20 - 30 hours a week business. With the rest of my time I will be focusing on the boy and my real estate investments that I've been doing for several years now.
Hey don't worry, I can handle it. I took something. I can see things no one else can see. Why are you dressed like that? - Jack Burton
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Dustin Metzgar wrote:
Maybe if I could do half and half?
That would rock!
Dustin Metzgar wrote:
I missed the connection to people though
CodeProject Lounge seems pretty alright to me :)
PaulC1972 wrote:
CodeProject Lounge seems pretty alright to me :)
Well, that's a given. :)
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I enjoy where I work most of the time. I have, for the most part, a great boss. My co-workers are mostly great. But, the work is terrrrrrrribly boring at times and I truly dislike coding in JavaScript these days. But, the perks are good and the work hours are mostly to my choosing. So, even though the pay is a bit below market, I can't complain and I am treated well. That being said, I am leaving in two weeks to take FMLA to spend time with my baby boy and in all honesty, I probably won’t be coming back. I plan on focusing on my side contracts and turning them into 20 - 30 hours a week business. With the rest of my time I will be focusing on the boy and my real estate investments that I've been doing for several years now.
Hey don't worry, I can handle it. I took something. I can see things no one else can see. Why are you dressed like that? - Jack Burton
Chris Austin wrote:
pend time with my baby boy
Congrats :-D
Chris Austin wrote:
I plan on focusing on my side contracts and turning them into 20 - 30 hours a week business
Best of luck to you :)
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PaulC1972 wrote:
CodeProject Lounge seems pretty alright to me :)
Well, that's a given. :)
Dustin Metzgar wrote:
CodeProject Lounge seems pretty alright to me :) Well, that's a given. :)
Yep. Thanks a million to Chris for starting this site :-D
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Chris Austin wrote:
pend time with my baby boy
Congrats :-D
Chris Austin wrote:
I plan on focusing on my side contracts and turning them into 20 - 30 hours a week business
Best of luck to you :)
Thanks I've been trying to build the pipeline for about a year and half now. It looks like it's almost ready :)
Hey don't worry, I can handle it. I took something. I can see things no one else can see. Why are you dressed like that? - Jack Burton
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Thanks I've been trying to build the pipeline for about a year and half now. It looks like it's almost ready :)
Hey don't worry, I can handle it. I took something. I can see things no one else can see. Why are you dressed like that? - Jack Burton
Chris Austin wrote:
I've been trying to build the pipeline for about a year and half now.
That is really sweet. Trying to do that myself right now :)
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I enjoy where I work most of the time. I have, for the most part, a great boss. My co-workers are mostly great. But, the work is terrrrrrrribly boring at times and I truly dislike coding in JavaScript these days. But, the perks are good and the work hours are mostly to my choosing. So, even though the pay is a bit below market, I can't complain and I am treated well. That being said, I am leaving in two weeks to take FMLA to spend time with my baby boy and in all honesty, I probably won’t be coming back. I plan on focusing on my side contracts and turning them into 20 - 30 hours a week business. With the rest of my time I will be focusing on the boy and my real estate investments that I've been doing for several years now.
Hey don't worry, I can handle it. I took something. I can see things no one else can see. Why are you dressed like that? - Jack Burton
Sounds a lot like my job. Good people but really boring work. Good luck with your side contracts. I get the feeling that most people that work for themselves enjoy it. (Well, at least enjoy it more than working for "the man").