I’m wondering if I’m going to miss writing computer programs. Since I was 17 years old, I’ve been fascinated with creating algorithms in code.After my junior year of high school I attended a summer math camp at FSU, where I learned FORTRAN II. At that point in time we had to enter our programs on punch cards and wait for hours or even overnight for the results. I remember the excitement of completing a program successfully, especially if I got it right before my nerdy boyfriend Steve did.
My first real job was in the Computer Center of FSU where I was hired on at $2.35 an hour. What did I do? I gave tours of the Computer Center, maintained the library of magnetic tapes, and worked as an operator several shifts a week. And did I mention that I learned how to juggle? FSU had a circus and it turns out that everyone in the Computer Center could juggle. It was sort of a prerequisite for working there!
With an undergrad degree in math, computer programming was about the best job I could hope for. Along the way I wrote programs in FORTRAN, Autocoder, IBM Assembler, COBOL, and SAS. Each one was different, with SAS making me the most productive.
Often I have solved a programming problem in the middle of the night. That actually happened to me last night, landing me in the office at 6 AM this morning. The problem was solved by 9 AM as I drank my morning tea.
I have resolutely been telling people that I’ll never write another line of SAS code after I walk out of my office for the last time on May 3. As I was treated to lunch by a friend today, she asked “Will you miss programming?”
I began to wonder about what would take the place of this intriguing series of languages that have equipped me to solve the world’s data problems.
As I sat in a planning meeting for Temple Micah’s High Holy Days, I found myself volunteering my programming skills to help my husband with a change to the website.
I just may miss this thing that has tied my brain up in knots at times, but has also afforded me not only a good income but a feeling of great satisfaction over the years. I may well miss it.
You're so good with languages of all kinds. Won't it be nice to program for fun?
ReplyDeleteReya -- I had never considered programming for "fun". It's always been a means to an end -- a way to get the rat through the maze. Perhaps I could have fun teaching kids to program. But I will never again have a job as important as the one I have now. I'll have to see...
ReplyDeleteI don't know anything about it except to say you are a PERL!
ReplyDelete(I ghope thats a good thing)
It will be interesting to see how the programmer in you manifests in the retired you.
ReplyDeleteI am with Reya, if it is so in your blood, you can always program for fun.
ReplyDeletePersonally, I would suggest woodworking.
Maybe you'll miss it for a SHORT while, but as you ease into retirement mode, your days will fill up with so many other things, you won't think twice. You can always offer a program at the Library or go to people's houses to help them or even at a high school.
ReplyDelete