Ask HN: Explain to non-techies what you do: Programmer? Developer? Engineer?

If its someone at college (say, at a party), I say that I play with my iPhone all day. If they ask for clarification, that I make iPhone applications. Usually at this point, whoever I'm talking to will say something like "So you write stuff on the computer for the iPhone?" and I nod.

The alternative is usually "Software Engineer" or "iPhone Developer", depending on where I am and how specific I need to be -- general description of what I do vs what my current job entails.

Or, if I really don't feel like talking, "student" shuts most people up pretty quickly.

Re: Ask HN: Explain to non-techies what you do: Programmer? Developer? Engineer?

#5

Post by novum » Sun, Oct 03, 2010, 9:59 PM UTC

sahillavingia wrote: post #3

"I build things people like to use."

I build things that people click on.

Re: Ask HN: Explain to non-techies what you do: Programmer? Developer? Engineer?

#6

Post by [deleted] » Sun, Oct 03, 2010, 9:59 PM UTC

[deleted]

Re: Ask HN: Explain to non-techies what you do: Programmer? Developer? Engineer?

#7

Post by ciupicri » Sun, Oct 03, 2010, 10:00 PM UTC

Programmer. Works every time. No one has ever asked me to explain what it means.

Re: Ask HN: Explain to non-techies what you do: Programmer? Developer? Engineer?

#8

Post by endtime » Sun, Oct 03, 2010, 10:02 PM UTC

CTO: I talk to my CEO and work out how technology can improve our business. Then I design what we're going to build, build it, and set it up to run on our servers.

Re: Ask HN: Explain to non-techies what you do: Programmer? Developer? Engineer?

#9

Post by PaulJoslin » Sun, Oct 03, 2010, 10:03 PM UTC

I always say 'Software Developer'.

If you say, 'Computer Programmer' then they picture someone tinkering with computers, if you say 'Developer' or 'Engineer' they don't know it's anything to do with computers or software.

What really annoys me, is when people respond with 'Oh right, I.T.' or 'I have a friend who does I.T. too, yeah he fixes computers at... '

- I personally see being a 'Software Developer' as a far higher position than someone doing 1st line support in I.T.

Re: Ask HN: Explain to non-techies what you do: Programmer? Developer? Engineer?

#10

Post by kevinburke » Sun, Oct 03, 2010, 10:04 PM UTC

A related question I struggle with - how to explain to other people how qualified you are? You and I could both say we "know" Java but there's probably a big difference there. It's really hard without showing them your work.