So, What do you Do?

Everyone’s been asked the question ‘what do you do?’, I’ve been thinking about the right answer to it lately. I could say that I’m a computer or software engineer, but that’s not right because you can’t claim the term ‘engineer’ unless you’re a P.Eng. So, ’software developer’, or ’software designer’ seems to be what I can claim.

After I had thought that I had my conclusion, I began to think about it again. The terms above describe my job, but is that all I I do? I like to think that my job is only a small portion of ‘what I do’. I read (although I haven’t started a new book in over a month), watch movies, and watch TV (recorded, of course). I play poker, golf, and video games. I tinker with things, be it my computer or anything else that may be broken, I design/develop web sites. I try to stay reasonably active in the Linux/Open Source community (through developing software, or through education/advocacy).

So, the answer to the question doesn’t seem quite so simple. I know most people are expecting your job to be your answer, but I don’t think that it’s the real answer–unless your job is everything in your life, which I don’t think is healthy.

It’s something to think about the next time somebody asks you what you do.

One Response to “So, What do you Do?”

1. maff

   May 13, 2005 at 11:19 pm

   eh? dude, that question really does mean, “what’s your job?”
   unless they really are trying to start a ridiculously long conversation about your entire life.

   kinda how it rots me when people answer “how are you?” with “..hi.. how are YOU?”

   or not..

   anyway geoff holden i do wanna know what you do.
   be in touch.
   still havent sent any packages back to canada… sorry :\ i’ll try and make a website soon at least
   take care