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  3. How do you deal with being forced to work with something you don't like?

How do you deal with being forced to work with something you don't like?

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  • L Lost User

    Hi again people ;) I have a question. You who are software engineers with many years of experience. If you don't like to work with a certain programming language or a field that you are not intrested in, for example you are intrested in embedded systems but you have to work with web development. Do you change your job/ wait for another job oppotunity or do you force yourself to work in that environment anyway? Or maybe you love programming that much that you don't mind, as long as you can program? I'm curious :^)

    Mike HankeyM Offline
    Mike HankeyM Offline
    Mike Hankey
    wrote on last edited by
    #2

    You do what you can to put food on the table until you're able to do what you want.

    I'm not sure how many cookies it makes to be happy, but so far it's not 27. JaxCoder.com

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    • L Lost User

      Hi again people ;) I have a question. You who are software engineers with many years of experience. If you don't like to work with a certain programming language or a field that you are not intrested in, for example you are intrested in embedded systems but you have to work with web development. Do you change your job/ wait for another job oppotunity or do you force yourself to work in that environment anyway? Or maybe you love programming that much that you don't mind, as long as you can program? I'm curious :^)

      M Offline
      M Offline
      MarkTJohnson
      wrote on last edited by
      #3

      Depends, you like eating? You keep the job you have until you find the job you want. Try to do your best at whatever job you have and look for opportunities both inside and outside. I worked for a Gov't contracting company on a project that was still using Delphi 6 in 2013. The Army decided they didn't need our system anymore and the boss gave us free rein to look for other work while we finished out the contract time (30 days). I was looking everywhere for anything and got a call about a job using Delphi 6, I REALLY didn't want to keep using that outdated tool but went on the interview anyway. Was offered the job on the spot and am still at the same job, but the Delphi 6 work has vanished. I was moved to a Java project and am thriving.

      I’ve given up trying to be calm. However, I am open to feeling slightly less agitated.

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      • L Lost User

        Hi again people ;) I have a question. You who are software engineers with many years of experience. If you don't like to work with a certain programming language or a field that you are not intrested in, for example you are intrested in embedded systems but you have to work with web development. Do you change your job/ wait for another job oppotunity or do you force yourself to work in that environment anyway? Or maybe you love programming that much that you don't mind, as long as you can program? I'm curious :^)

        Sander RosselS Offline
        Sander RosselS Offline
        Sander Rossel
        wrote on last edited by
        #4

        We all have our off days, sometimes something we don't like comes along at work. I usually shrug it off and wait for better things to come my way. However, when it's structural, and it may take weeks or even months to realize this, I'm off for a new job. I also take my resume into account. When I get offered a job as a WinForms developer now , I'll decline. WinForms is not really what most employers are looking for today and taking such a job may hurt your chances for future jobs (even though I still love WinForms). On the other hand, if I get offered a job that doesn't seem particularly appealing, but I know I'll get to work with some hot new technologies, I may just take the job. All that's in the past of course, as I'm now my own boss and I'm not planning on going back into employment :D Disclaimer: Don't quit your job before you got a new one! Try to find something you like "on the side". I once quit before I got something new, but I was in a very luxurious position that allowed me to do that (and I REALLY hated my job, even took unpaid leave so I could get away sooner), wouldn't recommend otherwise :laugh:

        Best, Sander Azure DevOps Succinctly (free eBook) Azure Serverless Succinctly (free eBook) Migrating Apps to the Cloud with Azure arrgh.js - Bringing LINQ to JavaScript

        S 1 Reply Last reply
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        • Sander RosselS Sander Rossel

          We all have our off days, sometimes something we don't like comes along at work. I usually shrug it off and wait for better things to come my way. However, when it's structural, and it may take weeks or even months to realize this, I'm off for a new job. I also take my resume into account. When I get offered a job as a WinForms developer now , I'll decline. WinForms is not really what most employers are looking for today and taking such a job may hurt your chances for future jobs (even though I still love WinForms). On the other hand, if I get offered a job that doesn't seem particularly appealing, but I know I'll get to work with some hot new technologies, I may just take the job. All that's in the past of course, as I'm now my own boss and I'm not planning on going back into employment :D Disclaimer: Don't quit your job before you got a new one! Try to find something you like "on the side". I once quit before I got something new, but I was in a very luxurious position that allowed me to do that (and I REALLY hated my job, even took unpaid leave so I could get away sooner), wouldn't recommend otherwise :laugh:

          Best, Sander Azure DevOps Succinctly (free eBook) Azure Serverless Succinctly (free eBook) Migrating Apps to the Cloud with Azure arrgh.js - Bringing LINQ to JavaScript

          S Offline
          S Offline
          Slacker007
          wrote on last edited by
          #5

          Sander Rossel wrote:

          Try to find something you like "on the side".

          Exactly.

          OriginalGriffO 1 Reply Last reply
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          • S Slacker007

            Sander Rossel wrote:

            Try to find something you like "on the side".

            Exactly.

            OriginalGriffO Offline
            OriginalGriffO Offline
            OriginalGriff
            wrote on last edited by
            #6

            Just don't let the wife / girlfriend find out. :~

            "I have no idea what I did, but I'm taking full credit for it." - ThisOldTony "Common sense is so rare these days, it should be classified as a super power" - Random T-shirt AntiTwitter: @DalekDave is now a follower!

            "I have no idea what I did, but I'm taking full credit for it." - ThisOldTony
            "Common sense is so rare these days, it should be classified as a super power" - Random T-shirt

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            • L Lost User

              Hi again people ;) I have a question. You who are software engineers with many years of experience. If you don't like to work with a certain programming language or a field that you are not intrested in, for example you are intrested in embedded systems but you have to work with web development. Do you change your job/ wait for another job oppotunity or do you force yourself to work in that environment anyway? Or maybe you love programming that much that you don't mind, as long as you can program? I'm curious :^)

              Greg UtasG Offline
              Greg UtasG Offline
              Greg Utas
              wrote on last edited by
              #7

              I can suggest two solutions: 1. 🍷🍷🍷🍷🍷 2. 🍺🍺🍺🍺🍺

              Robust Services Core | Software Techniques for Lemmings | Articles
              The fox knows many things, but the hedgehog knows one big thing.

              <p><a href="https://github.com/GregUtas/robust-services-core/blob/master/README.md">Robust Services Core</a>
              <em>The fox knows many things, but the hedgehog knows one big thing.</em></p>

              D 1 Reply Last reply
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              • L Lost User

                Hi again people ;) I have a question. You who are software engineers with many years of experience. If you don't like to work with a certain programming language or a field that you are not intrested in, for example you are intrested in embedded systems but you have to work with web development. Do you change your job/ wait for another job oppotunity or do you force yourself to work in that environment anyway? Or maybe you love programming that much that you don't mind, as long as you can program? I'm curious :^)

                raddevusR Offline
                raddevusR Offline
                raddevus
                wrote on last edited by
                #8

                When the game you are playing is boring, take an extremely close look at what you can do to alter the game in subtle ways. Look Very Closely I've found that if I look very closely at a specific technology and the more I understand it the more I can find things I am interested in. Many things become more beautiful when you really understand what is behind them and how they are made. Put all of your focus on the thing you don't like so much and you'll probably begin to like it more. And for the boring repetitive parts you can begin to automate those things using a tool (alternate programming language) that may help you enjoy the work better also.

                1 Reply Last reply
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                • L Lost User

                  Hi again people ;) I have a question. You who are software engineers with many years of experience. If you don't like to work with a certain programming language or a field that you are not intrested in, for example you are intrested in embedded systems but you have to work with web development. Do you change your job/ wait for another job oppotunity or do you force yourself to work in that environment anyway? Or maybe you love programming that much that you don't mind, as long as you can program? I'm curious :^)

                  realJSOPR Offline
                  realJSOPR Offline
                  realJSOP
                  wrote on last edited by
                  #9

                  Find another job, but while you're at your current position, do the best job you can with the tools at hand.

                  ".45 ACP - because shooting twice is just silly" - JSOP, 2010
                  -----
                  You can never have too much ammo - unless you're swimming, or on fire. - JSOP, 2010
                  -----
                  When you pry the gun from my cold dead hands, be careful - the barrel will be very hot. - JSOP, 2013

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                  • L Lost User

                    Hi again people ;) I have a question. You who are software engineers with many years of experience. If you don't like to work with a certain programming language or a field that you are not intrested in, for example you are intrested in embedded systems but you have to work with web development. Do you change your job/ wait for another job oppotunity or do you force yourself to work in that environment anyway? Or maybe you love programming that much that you don't mind, as long as you can program? I'm curious :^)

                    P Offline
                    P Offline
                    PIEBALDconsult
                    wrote on last edited by
                    #10

                    Refuse -- politely -- when possible. As long as I have enough work which I _do_ enjoy, I see no point in taking on work which I would not. Let them hire someone who wants to do it.

                    1 Reply Last reply
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                    • L Lost User

                      Hi again people ;) I have a question. You who are software engineers with many years of experience. If you don't like to work with a certain programming language or a field that you are not intrested in, for example you are intrested in embedded systems but you have to work with web development. Do you change your job/ wait for another job oppotunity or do you force yourself to work in that environment anyway? Or maybe you love programming that much that you don't mind, as long as you can program? I'm curious :^)

                      honey the codewitchH Offline
                      honey the codewitchH Offline
                      honey the codewitch
                      wrote on last edited by
                      #11

                      I take jobs that interest me, so I'd not take a web development position. I would take work that involved a little of it, but not where I was the primary. I've done my time working on jobs I disliked when I was younger. I earned my way out of that mess - at least that's how I see it. I mean, not that I only do things I like for work. Work is work, otherwise it would be play. But the job itself has to catch my interest.

                      Real programmers use butterflies

                      W 1 Reply Last reply
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                      • L Lost User

                        Hi again people ;) I have a question. You who are software engineers with many years of experience. If you don't like to work with a certain programming language or a field that you are not intrested in, for example you are intrested in embedded systems but you have to work with web development. Do you change your job/ wait for another job oppotunity or do you force yourself to work in that environment anyway? Or maybe you love programming that much that you don't mind, as long as you can program? I'm curious :^)

                        W Offline
                        W Offline
                        W Balboos GHB
                        wrote on last edited by
                        #12

                        My suggestion is to be born rich - then do what you want. I, unfortunately, had no one to give me such advice and so, well, here I am. Endowed abundanly with the Three C's: Β  Charming, Clever, and Cute will only get you so far without that forth C: Β  Cash. So, as you decide your best route to rage against the machine, remember where and when your problem started out.

                        Ravings en masse^

                        "The difference between genius and stupidity is that genius has its limits." - Albert Einstein

                        "If you are searching for perfection in others, then you seek disappointment. If you seek perfection in yourself, then you will find failure." - Balboos HaGadol Mar 2010

                        1 Reply Last reply
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                        • L Lost User

                          Hi again people ;) I have a question. You who are software engineers with many years of experience. If you don't like to work with a certain programming language or a field that you are not intrested in, for example you are intrested in embedded systems but you have to work with web development. Do you change your job/ wait for another job oppotunity or do you force yourself to work in that environment anyway? Or maybe you love programming that much that you don't mind, as long as you can program? I'm curious :^)

                          L Offline
                          L Offline
                          Lost User
                          wrote on last edited by
                          #13

                          Depends. Are you independently wealthy? Do you like macaroni?

                          It was only in wine that he laid down no limit for himself, but he did not allow himself to be confused by it. ― Confucian Analects: Rules of Confucius about his food

                          L 1 Reply Last reply
                          0
                          • L Lost User

                            Hi again people ;) I have a question. You who are software engineers with many years of experience. If you don't like to work with a certain programming language or a field that you are not intrested in, for example you are intrested in embedded systems but you have to work with web development. Do you change your job/ wait for another job oppotunity or do you force yourself to work in that environment anyway? Or maybe you love programming that much that you don't mind, as long as you can program? I'm curious :^)

                            L Offline
                            L Offline
                            Lost User
                            wrote on last edited by
                            #14

                            Just quit. You're not a slave.

                            1 Reply Last reply
                            0
                            • L Lost User

                              Hi again people ;) I have a question. You who are software engineers with many years of experience. If you don't like to work with a certain programming language or a field that you are not intrested in, for example you are intrested in embedded systems but you have to work with web development. Do you change your job/ wait for another job oppotunity or do you force yourself to work in that environment anyway? Or maybe you love programming that much that you don't mind, as long as you can program? I'm curious :^)

                              R Offline
                              R Offline
                              RedDk
                              wrote on last edited by
                              #15

                              Hunt grouse.

                              1 Reply Last reply
                              0
                              • Mike HankeyM Mike Hankey

                                You do what you can to put food on the table until you're able to do what you want.

                                I'm not sure how many cookies it makes to be happy, but so far it's not 27. JaxCoder.com

                                P Offline
                                P Offline
                                peterkmx
                                wrote on last edited by
                                #16

                                :-) upvoted ...

                                1 Reply Last reply
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                                • L Lost User

                                  Hi again people ;) I have a question. You who are software engineers with many years of experience. If you don't like to work with a certain programming language or a field that you are not intrested in, for example you are intrested in embedded systems but you have to work with web development. Do you change your job/ wait for another job oppotunity or do you force yourself to work in that environment anyway? Or maybe you love programming that much that you don't mind, as long as you can program? I'm curious :^)

                                  M Offline
                                  M Offline
                                  Mycroft Holmes
                                  wrote on last edited by
                                  #17

                                  I flatly refused to get involved in ML, python and web development in my final contract. I was too productive doing what I was proficient at for them to sack me, lucky I guess. It will depend on your financial/family position, a developer with a young family does not have the flexibility of and old fart with decades of experience.

                                  Never underestimate the power of human stupidity - RAH I'm old. I know stuff - JSOP

                                  1 Reply Last reply
                                  0
                                  • L Lost User

                                    Hi again people ;) I have a question. You who are software engineers with many years of experience. If you don't like to work with a certain programming language or a field that you are not intrested in, for example you are intrested in embedded systems but you have to work with web development. Do you change your job/ wait for another job oppotunity or do you force yourself to work in that environment anyway? Or maybe you love programming that much that you don't mind, as long as you can program? I'm curious :^)

                                    U Offline
                                    U Offline
                                    User 14060113
                                    wrote on last edited by
                                    #18

                                    I have programmed for 23 years in the domains desktop, server and web. In the desktop domain, I feel at home, especially when working with WPF, whereas I consider server and web interesting challenges, but nothing more. In my last 2 jobs, I was working as an ASP.NET web developer, trying to get used to the thought that desktop programming is out of fashion and I will not find a job where I can do it anyway. But that didn't work out. I was so discontent that I had to find a new job both of the times. Now I found a job as a WPF desktop developer, and I feel much better now. So my recommendation: Go find a new job. That's not as big a deal as you might think, even if you're already older. The software developer market is currently very employee-friendly.

                                    1 Reply Last reply
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                                    • L Lost User

                                      Hi again people ;) I have a question. You who are software engineers with many years of experience. If you don't like to work with a certain programming language or a field that you are not intrested in, for example you are intrested in embedded systems but you have to work with web development. Do you change your job/ wait for another job oppotunity or do you force yourself to work in that environment anyway? Or maybe you love programming that much that you don't mind, as long as you can program? I'm curious :^)

                                      M Offline
                                      M Offline
                                      Martin ISDN
                                      wrote on last edited by
                                      #19

                                      > Do you change your job/ wait for another job oppotunity or do you force yourself to work in that environment anyway? i would try to switch the job immediately and will work for minimal wage it the case were my job is what i do in my spare time. in case where i cannot find a job that also suits me as a hobby, i have no problem in doing a dull mechanical job for an average salary especially if it has some spare time to wonder your thoughts. anything is better that programming what you don't like in an environment where you have opposite philosophies and culture.

                                      1 Reply Last reply
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                                      • L Lost User

                                        Hi again people ;) I have a question. You who are software engineers with many years of experience. If you don't like to work with a certain programming language or a field that you are not intrested in, for example you are intrested in embedded systems but you have to work with web development. Do you change your job/ wait for another job oppotunity or do you force yourself to work in that environment anyway? Or maybe you love programming that much that you don't mind, as long as you can program? I'm curious :^)

                                        S Offline
                                        S Offline
                                        Simon Capewell
                                        wrote on last edited by
                                        #20

                                        You can try to bend the current job to your preferences: I once took a VB.NET job because I was working in C++ with no prospect of getting any real hands on experience of .NET. Within 18 months, my new employer switched to C#, partly because of relentless promotion of C# on my part :) I've always found that the key thing isn't to say how awful you think the work you're doing right now is, but to just get on and find a way to make it better. Build test tools using your preferred tech. Demonstrate to other people on the team how much less tedious their jobs are with your funky new tools. This also breaks up the grind a bit too. Bored with that dull or tricky problem? Go and hack your tooling for half an hour to break things up a bit. Or, you just wait it out until the right job comes along: I moved from the job above to my current employer after being touted as an ecommerce expert (no, just no) and railroaded into using a product called Actinic, which at the time was a dinosaur and a train wreck of a product. I hated that 3 month project so much that I left at the first opportunity when a contact from a previous job got in touch. Generally though, if it's programming with a decent toolset, in a C like language, then it's all good. Apart from when there's a toxic office environment, but that's another dimension entirely!

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                                        • L Lost User

                                          Hi again people ;) I have a question. You who are software engineers with many years of experience. If you don't like to work with a certain programming language or a field that you are not intrested in, for example you are intrested in embedded systems but you have to work with web development. Do you change your job/ wait for another job oppotunity or do you force yourself to work in that environment anyway? Or maybe you love programming that much that you don't mind, as long as you can program? I'm curious :^)

                                          M Offline
                                          M Offline
                                          MKJCP
                                          wrote on last edited by
                                          #21

                                          Find the fun in what you're doing or lower your expectations.

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