What to do when work bores you?

[Carlos]

Hi,
just wondering if you got through this: working all day long, doing your work professionally, just getting bored of it after some time...

I'm working at a software company, that's what I always dreamed of.
However, after 3 years I'm getting bored of error corrections, endless debuggging sessions, submitting documentation and code reviews, project meetings, deadline-rush, etc.

Even starting own projects - for fun - helped just for a while.

So, if you have any ideas how survive such situations, you're welcome.

[adrianxw]

Hi Carlos,

I'm afraid you've just pretty much summed up professional programming.

It often strikes me that the kids on the board here have great expectations of a professional programming career, and simply refuse to believe the old hands that it really is just a job.

When I get bored at work I look at the 'net, or e-mail my friends, wander around the building chatting to people, goodwill/support/whatever visits to customers/suppliers/anyone, preferably a long way away so full day out, etc.

I have a couple of "back burner" projects of my own, but I really need to be in the mood for them, and frankly, when I'm fed up with work, I'm fed up with computing.

I have frequently considered chucking programming altogether, but don't know what else I'd like to do.

>>> endless debuggging sessions,

Actually, the challenge of that particular activity is one of the few bright spots I still rather enjoy.

[Hammer]

>>> endless debuggging sessions,
>>>Actually, the challenge of that particular activity is one of the few bright spots I still rather enjoy.
I agree, fault finding is kinda fun.

Normally, when I'm bored of work, I come on here (like now ) Other times I just go talk to friends, play a few practicle jokes etc etc.

When I'm real bored of a particular job, I move departments and find a new challenge. I've done this 3 times in 6 years so far.

[FillYourBrain]

that's most of the reason I come to cboard. Hopefully it doesn't lead to the boss searching the proxy logs and deciding that my internet time is too high.

Actually, I'm REALLY wanting my vacation now. Vacation time is probably the best temporary fix for what you're talking about. We're in the middle of a crunch right now though. Can't really take the vacation now. Grrrrrrr..... maybe in a month or two.

[Carlos]

Originally posted by adrianxw
...
It often strikes me that the kids on the board here have great expectations of a professional programming career, and simply refuse to believe the old hands that it really is just a job.

The image about programming and programmers has nothing to do with the reality. Movies like Matrix are to blame

Originally posted by adrianxw

I have a couple of "back burner" projects of my own, but I really need to be in the mood for them, and frankly, when I'm fed up with work, I'm fed up with computing.

The same here... We spent a week at the Adriatic sea, and I felt recharged (oh, don't forget, we are just batteries) for about 1 month. Now, I'd like to go again, but I just can't - deadline approaches
Working even on weekends is not really relaxing.

Originally posted by adrianxw
>>> endless debuggging sessions,
Actually, the challenge of that particular activity is one of the few bright spots I still rather enjoy.

It's challenging, indeed, but not 8 hours a day. Fortunately I don't have to do that always, just when I'm the support responsible.

Anyway, I like programming. Just don't want to become bored of it, as I don't know either what else should I do.

Originally posted by Hammer

When I'm real bored of a particular job, I move departments and find a new challenge. I've done this 3 times in 6 years so far.

Oh, yes, job rotation is an alternative, but actually I would not like to change the team, as it is the best at our company .

[mart_man00]

The image about programming and programmers has nothing to do with the reality. Movies like Matrix are to blame

Its because no one likes there job unless their a photographer for playboy. We just think your lying .

But were starting to learn that Admins get more money, wait a couple years, there wont be as many new guys


Plus the high school CCNA sounds alot better the Jave AP now...

[confuted]

Mart_man, what's the CCNA?

[Govtcheez]

IIRC, Cisco Certified Network... Administrator?

When I get bored at work, I hit the boards, talk to someone around the office, or sometimes going for a walk for 10-15 minutes helps a lot.

[XSquared]

I hate you, govt. I can't go for walks at work, because I'm on the phones all day.

[Geolingo]

Cisco Certified Network Associate. Bastage highscrewlers are making more money than me. Thank god my employers still think experience is more important than a prety paper certificate.

[mart_man00]

DeepBlackMagic: haha

Ill be getting my 'prety paper certificates' cheaper

Experience should be all thats needed, but unless you have alot of it that you can some how prove(they have the spot open for a reason) those pretty things might help alittle. Plus will at the high school level its crap, theres always a admin around that will help out. Its worth it and a good idea.

CCNA is Cisco's high school program. They teach you basic networking and their brand of routers. The high school part doesnt get you anything, its just free training. Since most kids dont like it your school might pick up the bill for your test(which isnt that big, i heard).

I have no idea what it stands for....

Its something to get into if your in high school now.

[Geolingo]

I have been reading up on the books in my spare time, and while some chapters (this is an electron, this is a proton, bla bla bla) are overly simplistic, and other chapters are shameless marketing plugs on which cisco kit to buy to do XYZ, about 1 in 3 have useful tidbits here and there. Im skimming through so i can go out and take the CCNA test. I took an online one and got a 70 because i didnt remember the OSI ref model (never learned that in comp sci classes, heh). With 20 minutes of cramming theory and cisco approved terms, im sure most people with some experience could pass the test. I think its about 300$ to try and take one. Im still surviving in the business world by pointing to the list of companys and taking the "I have done this for them, and I can do it for you" approach. These days IT is just as cutthroat or more so as most business fields. I cant afford highsk00lers to have some reason to hire one of them over me. BTW Im that crooked old BOFH installing FreeBSD servers for all my clients. I love the look the kiddies get when a company tries to replace me. I swear them breaking my stuff makes me more money than it would hireing them and training a legion of them running around as my networking minions....although...i see several world domination possibilities here....ill get back to you after domination of southern asia. =P

[MrWizard]

Originally posted by Govtcheez
IIRC, Cisco Certified Network... Administrator?

When I get bored at work, I hit the boards, talk to someone around the office, or sometimes going for a walk for 10-15 minutes helps a lot.

Yes, I'll second that. I'll take a walk if I'm bored or stuck on a problem for too long. Most of the time when I am in the middle of my walk a solution will present itself.

[Perspective]

Originally posted by MrWizard
Yes, I'll second that. I'll take a walk if I'm bored or stuck on a problem for too long. Most of the time when I am in the middle of my walk a solution will present itself.

heh, that happend to me today. I couldent figure out where my program was going wrong as it functioned properly for 95% of trials. I knew there was a small bug somewhere but couldent find so i figured id just leave it and look at it tomarrow mourning. Sure enough, i get half way to the parking lot and BAM! , hits me like a ton of bricks, just a minor little mistake.

[Indian_fan]

I'm a bit late on this thread but Carlos, I totally agree with you. Currently, I'm really bored with my project. I'm considering switching companies as these guys here are not ready to release me for some other project.