8th graders don't think you're cool
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Isn't it too soon for them to find out whether they are really interested in programming. What was the hot career? When I was in 8th grade, I wanted to be an Air Force Pilot.
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I participated in a Career Day today for 8th graders. A group of businesspeople rotate through classrooms, talk about what they do and field questions. While I focused on my copywriting & speaking business, I touched on my previous lifetimes, including programming. In each of half a dozen classrooms, I asked how many people were interested in getting into programming / software development as a career. The grand total for all classes? Zero. The wild and wooly geek was once an object of fear, awe and admiration, a creature so bold and exciting that large masses of people wanted to become one. However, as best I can determine from limited empirical evidence, you are no longer cool. Certainly not in the eyes of the up and coming generation. Just thought you'd want to know. :)
Christopher Duncan
www.PracticalUSA.com
Author of The Career Programmer and Unite the Tribes
Copywriting ServicesI'd be curious to know: what did they express interest in? Besides winning American Idol or being the new flavor-of-the-week-reality-TV-star :)
¡El diablo está en mis pantalones! ¡Mire, mire! SELECT * FROM User WHERE Clue > 0 0 rows returned Save an Orange - Use the VCF! Personal 3D projects Just Say No to Web 2 Point Blow
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I participated in a Career Day today for 8th graders. A group of businesspeople rotate through classrooms, talk about what they do and field questions. While I focused on my copywriting & speaking business, I touched on my previous lifetimes, including programming. In each of half a dozen classrooms, I asked how many people were interested in getting into programming / software development as a career. The grand total for all classes? Zero. The wild and wooly geek was once an object of fear, awe and admiration, a creature so bold and exciting that large masses of people wanted to become one. However, as best I can determine from limited empirical evidence, you are no longer cool. Certainly not in the eyes of the up and coming generation. Just thought you'd want to know. :)
Christopher Duncan
www.PracticalUSA.com
Author of The Career Programmer and Unite the Tribes
Copywriting ServicesDoes this mean I won't be able to retire since no whipper snapper wants to take my job. Guess I'll have to turn on Wally mode in another year or two. :)
Chris Meech I am Canadian. [heard in a local bar] In theory there is no difference between theory and practice. In practice there is. [Yogi Berra]
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Dunno. I was mucking around with basic on my trash 80 color in 2nd grade. I wouldn't even pretend to consider myself a template for normal though. :laugh:
3x12=36 2x12=24 1x12=12 0x12=18
But was it cool to be a software developer that time. My guess is, it was never cool compared to say: being a pilot, being Jack Bauer, being a rocket scientist.
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I participated in a Career Day today for 8th graders. A group of businesspeople rotate through classrooms, talk about what they do and field questions. While I focused on my copywriting & speaking business, I touched on my previous lifetimes, including programming. In each of half a dozen classrooms, I asked how many people were interested in getting into programming / software development as a career. The grand total for all classes? Zero. The wild and wooly geek was once an object of fear, awe and admiration, a creature so bold and exciting that large masses of people wanted to become one. However, as best I can determine from limited empirical evidence, you are no longer cool. Certainly not in the eyes of the up and coming generation. Just thought you'd want to know. :)
Christopher Duncan
www.PracticalUSA.com
Author of The Career Programmer and Unite the Tribes
Copywriting ServicesBring to the class a paper bag with bread, a jar of jelly, a jar of peanut butter, and a pre-approved plastic knife then ask the class to instruct you in making the sandwich. Follow instructions literally. If that fails to gain their attention, try this: "You know that game Call of Duty? Yeah, I made that" (Change name of the game for the times) Realistically, I think if I ever do a career day I will just lie. I will say I am an overpaid consultant that travels the country telling other people how to do their jobs. I spend my free-time on boats, flying airplanes, and playing video games. I will then show photographs of super models and claim to be their friends. I will then emphatically state that their teacher is a moron whose only goal is for them to pass the State mandated testing with a high enough score to ensure tenure. I will then point outside to the parking lot at the rented Ferrari claiming it as my own and ask if there are any questions.
Need custom software developed? I do custom programming based primarily on MS tools with an emphasis on C# development and consulting. A man said to the universe: "Sir I exist!" "However," replied the universe, "The fact has not created in me A sense of obligation." --Stephen Crane
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Bring to the class a paper bag with bread, a jar of jelly, a jar of peanut butter, and a pre-approved plastic knife then ask the class to instruct you in making the sandwich. Follow instructions literally. If that fails to gain their attention, try this: "You know that game Call of Duty? Yeah, I made that" (Change name of the game for the times) Realistically, I think if I ever do a career day I will just lie. I will say I am an overpaid consultant that travels the country telling other people how to do their jobs. I spend my free-time on boats, flying airplanes, and playing video games. I will then show photographs of super models and claim to be their friends. I will then emphatically state that their teacher is a moron whose only goal is for them to pass the State mandated testing with a high enough score to ensure tenure. I will then point outside to the parking lot at the rented Ferrari claiming it as my own and ask if there are any questions.
Need custom software developed? I do custom programming based primarily on MS tools with an emphasis on C# development and consulting. A man said to the universe: "Sir I exist!" "However," replied the universe, "The fact has not created in me A sense of obligation." --Stephen Crane
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Isn't it too soon for them to find out whether they are really interested in programming. What was the hot career? When I was in 8th grade, I wanted to be an Air Force Pilot.
I knew I wanted to program since I was in 5th or 6th grade.
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I knew I wanted to program since I was in 5th or 6th grade.
Sure! But how many more wolfbinaries where there in your class or in the entire school?
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I participated in a Career Day today for 8th graders. A group of businesspeople rotate through classrooms, talk about what they do and field questions. While I focused on my copywriting & speaking business, I touched on my previous lifetimes, including programming. In each of half a dozen classrooms, I asked how many people were interested in getting into programming / software development as a career. The grand total for all classes? Zero. The wild and wooly geek was once an object of fear, awe and admiration, a creature so bold and exciting that large masses of people wanted to become one. However, as best I can determine from limited empirical evidence, you are no longer cool. Certainly not in the eyes of the up and coming generation. Just thought you'd want to know. :)
Christopher Duncan
www.PracticalUSA.com
Author of The Career Programmer and Unite the Tribes
Copywriting ServicesTo quote Shoggoth: Meh. Todays kids mantra seems to be "don't care about anyhting" - at least, noone should notice.
Christopher Duncan wrote:
The wild and wooly geek was once an object of fear, awe and admiration, a creature so bold and exciting that large masses of people wanted to become one
Uhuh. Yes, please continue....
Agh! Reality! My Archnemesis![^]
| FoldWithUs! | sighist | µLaunch - program launcher for server core and hyper-v server. -
You will have to lie for that?? what happened??? ;P :laugh:
I want to die like my grandfather- asleep, not like the passengers in his car, screaming!
Well, I don't actually own a Ferrari. Not enough trunk space :p
Need custom software developed? I do custom programming based primarily on MS tools with an emphasis on C# development and consulting. A man said to the universe: "Sir I exist!" "However," replied the universe, "The fact has not created in me A sense of obligation." --Stephen Crane
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To quote Shoggoth: Meh. Todays kids mantra seems to be "don't care about anyhting" - at least, noone should notice.
Christopher Duncan wrote:
The wild and wooly geek was once an object of fear, awe and admiration, a creature so bold and exciting that large masses of people wanted to become one
Uhuh. Yes, please continue....
Agh! Reality! My Archnemesis![^]
| FoldWithUs! | sighist | µLaunch - program launcher for server core and hyper-v server. -
I knew I wanted to program since I was in 5th or 6th grade.
Be sure to let us know, if you ever succeed. :-D
Henry Minute Do not read medical books! You could die of a misprint. - Mark Twain Girl: (staring) "Why do you need an icy cucumber?" “I want to report a fraud. The government is lying to us all.”
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peterchen wrote:
Todays kids mantra seems to be "don't care about anyhting" - at least, noone should notice.
I got a feeling that our folks said the exact same thing. And so did their folks.......
Oh no I didn't!!
Henry Minute Do not read medical books! You could die of a misprint. - Mark Twain Girl: (staring) "Why do you need an icy cucumber?" “I want to report a fraud. The government is lying to us all.”
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I participated in a Career Day today for 8th graders. A group of businesspeople rotate through classrooms, talk about what they do and field questions. While I focused on my copywriting & speaking business, I touched on my previous lifetimes, including programming. In each of half a dozen classrooms, I asked how many people were interested in getting into programming / software development as a career. The grand total for all classes? Zero. The wild and wooly geek was once an object of fear, awe and admiration, a creature so bold and exciting that large masses of people wanted to become one. However, as best I can determine from limited empirical evidence, you are no longer cool. Certainly not in the eyes of the up and coming generation. Just thought you'd want to know. :)
Christopher Duncan
www.PracticalUSA.com
Author of The Career Programmer and Unite the Tribes
Copywriting Services -
Oh no I didn't!!
Henry Minute Do not read medical books! You could die of a misprint. - Mark Twain Girl: (staring) "Why do you need an icy cucumber?" “I want to report a fraud. The government is lying to us all.”
-
Bring to the class a paper bag with bread, a jar of jelly, a jar of peanut butter, and a pre-approved plastic knife then ask the class to instruct you in making the sandwich. Follow instructions literally. If that fails to gain their attention, try this: "You know that game Call of Duty? Yeah, I made that" (Change name of the game for the times) Realistically, I think if I ever do a career day I will just lie. I will say I am an overpaid consultant that travels the country telling other people how to do their jobs. I spend my free-time on boats, flying airplanes, and playing video games. I will then show photographs of super models and claim to be their friends. I will then emphatically state that their teacher is a moron whose only goal is for them to pass the State mandated testing with a high enough score to ensure tenure. I will then point outside to the parking lot at the rented Ferrari claiming it as my own and ask if there are any questions.
Need custom software developed? I do custom programming based primarily on MS tools with an emphasis on C# development and consulting. A man said to the universe: "Sir I exist!" "However," replied the universe, "The fact has not created in me A sense of obligation." --Stephen Crane
You know, if you really do that can you please record it for posterity? I'd love to watch the video of that :)
¡El diablo está en mis pantalones! ¡Mire, mire! SELECT * FROM User WHERE Clue > 0 0 rows returned Save an Orange - Use the VCF! Personal 3D projects Just Say No to Web 2 Point Blow
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Isn't it too soon for them to find out whether they are really interested in programming. What was the hot career? When I was in 8th grade, I wanted to be an Air Force Pilot.
Well, I had to fail out at accounting before I decided to go into CS. I had the idea in my head that I didn't want to actually go into something I saw as a hobby because then it wouldn't be any fun for me once it was my job. To a point that's happened but not like I thought it would. Interestingly enough all the people who couldn't cut it in the CS department ended up as business majors which lead them to project management/business analyst positions... :-D
------------------------------------- Do not do what has already been done. Absolute power corrupts absolutely.. but it ROCKS absolutely, too.
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I participated in a Career Day today for 8th graders. A group of businesspeople rotate through classrooms, talk about what they do and field questions. While I focused on my copywriting & speaking business, I touched on my previous lifetimes, including programming. In each of half a dozen classrooms, I asked how many people were interested in getting into programming / software development as a career. The grand total for all classes? Zero. The wild and wooly geek was once an object of fear, awe and admiration, a creature so bold and exciting that large masses of people wanted to become one. However, as best I can determine from limited empirical evidence, you are no longer cool. Certainly not in the eyes of the up and coming generation. Just thought you'd want to know. :)
Christopher Duncan
www.PracticalUSA.com
Author of The Career Programmer and Unite the Tribes
Copywriting ServicesChristopher Duncan wrote:
The wild and wooly geek was once an object of fear, awe and admiration, a creature so bold and exciting that large masses of people wanted to become one
Since when? I've never met anyone who wanted to be a geek - met plenty who wanted to punch one though :)
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You know, if you really do that can you please record it for posterity? I'd love to watch the video of that :)
¡El diablo está en mis pantalones! ¡Mire, mire! SELECT * FROM User WHERE Clue > 0 0 rows returned Save an Orange - Use the VCF! Personal 3D projects Just Say No to Web 2 Point Blow
Which one, the PBJ? Or the funnier one?
Need custom software developed? I do custom programming based primarily on MS tools with an emphasis on C# development and consulting. A man said to the universe: "Sir I exist!" "However," replied the universe, "The fact has not created in me A sense of obligation." --Stephen Crane
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Christopher Duncan wrote:
The wild and wooly geek was once an object of fear, awe and admiration, a creature so bold and exciting that large masses of people wanted to become one
Since when? I've never met anyone who wanted to be a geek - met plenty who wanted to punch one though :)
5! That's the best reply so far!