Were you born to be a programmer?
Reading blog posts that highlight the career paths of programmers is of great interest to me. Although, I do find that most of these diatribes evolve (or decay — whichever you prefer) into rather grandiose descriptions of past computing exploits. You could easily be led to believe that most programmers leave the womb clamoring for a keyboard instead of mom and pop. The characteristics possessed by these individuals appear to be mystic and rather unattainable by others. If ever there were evidence for Midi-chlorians, I gather they would be it.
Understandably, this early weaning onto computers and programming can influence the behaviors and attitudes of children. Yet, this experience is quite foreign to me. It is rather miraculous that I have landed on my feet in this field considering the haphazard fashion with which I became a software engineer. It had crossed my mind to drag you through the ordeal, but for now I will just leave you with something more instantly fulfilling. Was I simply born to be a programmer? How about you? Are there personality traits that we are born with that predisposes us to programming?
Why not have some fun with it, and take a test to find out.
Posted by Brian
September 17th, 2007
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6 Comments
#01, Sep 17 2007
Mihai Campean
Nice test :).
#02, Sep 18 2007
Brian
Hey Mihai –
If I had to guess I would say there is an extremely-high probability you will be successful as a programmer :)
#03, Sep 18 2007
Mihai Campean
:)) thanks, but the test actually said there is a medium probability to that. I guess it is wrong then, because I am a programmer, I enjoy being a programmer and I am good at it also (at least I like to think that).
#04, Sep 18 2007
Jim Smith
I only hit medium. Yikes! I need a new career.
#05, Sep 18 2007
Brian
Wow, I may need to rewrite that algorithm — Jim, I’ll be a reference on LinkedIn if you need one ;)
That is why the test is so interesting. The personality traits that tend to “identify” programmers do not always signify guaranteed success.
A lesson for managers and programmers alike… or is it?
#06, Sep 19 2007
Mihai Campean
I believe it depends on what each manager wants for his/her programmers and on what programmers want from themselves. Here is an older article I wrote on my blog on what kinds of people I would like to work with as programmers.