May 3, 2018 at 9:04 pm
Comments posted to this topic are about the item Intrinsic or Extrinsic
May 4, 2018 at 12:44 am
I fell into my job by accident. I started off as an account manager, ended up doing my own client reporting in excel, learned VBA, moved to the Data Processing department and then learned SQL and realised that I had a set based brain and wasn't too bad at it! I enjoy all the little puzzles and problems to solve. I think my motivation was intrinsic... although there are now a lot of extrinsic pressures on me to stay in my job - or at least earn as much as possible to support my family.
May 4, 2018 at 1:26 am
I've always been fascinated by computers. I learned on a Commodore Pet prior to buying my first computer, a Commodore Vic20.
The fascination with data and databases comes from the ability to predict behaviours from data and measure the results of attempts to influence those behaviours. I am Aspergers so a vague clue as to the thoughts of neuro-typicals reduces the faux-pax count a bit.
You could say that I am intrinsically motivated. However, some data technologies I have to be extrinsically motivated, particularly those that allow or even encourage the sullying of data.
May 4, 2018 at 1:58 am
Spite.
After my first evening class course, on an Apple II my brother looked at my work and said "Is that all?".
I had initially taken the course because I wanted an idea of how the video arcade machines worked, that I was spending an inordinate amount of time playing.
After the 'challenge' from my brother I delved deeper and became a developer for a living. After many years I lost interest in writing interfaces and pretty front screens and worked my way further 'behind the scenes'.
I do it because I enjoy the intellectual challenge of it (usually) and it isn't the most dangerous profession I could have chosen.
I now work on large databases using a variety of techniques. I've worked on stock-control systems, medical, sales, housing and a plethora of others.
My brother worked as an animator on Lexx, the Wallace and Gromit games, some Zoo simulator (if I recall correctly) and is now lecturing and taking a Phd in running around with ping-pong balls glued to himself.
Death is too good for him.
May 4, 2018 at 2:13 am
My interest in computers (and technology) started when I was young so intrinsic motivators definitely played a part in my career choice.
Over the years extrinsic started played a bigger part (i.e. money, choice of company, choice of technology).
My career is also closely linked to the Microsoft technology stack which has paid off financially so far!
May 4, 2018 at 2:31 am
Like many I enjoyed tinkering with computers. Whilst I didn't set my mind on computers, a development role was what came up when I needed to find a job. So I had an intrinsic interest but extrinsic motivators. Much as I hate it sometimes, I probably hate it less than anything else I could get paid for.:Wow:
May 4, 2018 at 4:20 am
I fell into technology by accident really and by having a good IT manager who was very good at sharing. I started with MS Access and found relational database design something I could relate to. I then self taught SQL as wanted to get more involved in database technology. And I have worked myself up to a fairly proficient level and consequently and comfortable living wage. And I have on whole enjoyed my time in IT. I enjoy technology and things like machine learning and AI interest me a lot. Again I have experimented in this area.
All that being said I would happily change careers and do something completely opposite, such as open a bar in the Caribbean and just have a different style of life. As it currently stands needs must (mortgage etc.) so I need to earn at the same level.
So like the article said a hybrid of intrinsic and extrinsic.
May 4, 2018 at 6:18 am
The guy at Enterprise Rental was so excited, "OH! You're a Database Administrator! Do you like that!?"
"No. I hate it. But it's what I was made for. And I'm dm good at it."
Seriously, I dig what I do - it's ruined by mgmt, lack of time and resources, oh, and users - the databases work so well without users!
May 4, 2018 at 6:30 am
Intrinsic, pure and simple.
When I was 16 years old I walked into the computer room at my highschool for the very first time. Up to that point I had no idea what I would do with my life and was frankly starting to worry about it. But when I walked into that room, felt the chill in the air, the sounds, the blinking lights--I knew.
That was 42 years ago and I've never lost my love for the work, the sheer passion. I'm so very lucky to have found my calling.
I seriously can't imagine what I would have done if computers hadn't been invented. I've been a developer my whole career and still am. As a lone wolf developer SQL Server and the database is just as important a part of the application as the UI, the internals of the front-end program, or the documentation.
Most of my career has been in small companies, with one stretch at a Fortune 50. I have to say there's a tremendous satisfaction in creating every level of the application, from the DB to end user training.
The best part? They actually pay me for it! :Wow:
May 4, 2018 at 6:38 am
Intrinsic. When I retire, anyone looking at me won't be able to tell. I will still be working on my website and programming stuff.
May 4, 2018 at 6:49 am
I started messing with computers in high school when you had to connect to the local state university via modem, the kind where you dialed the number and put the handset in the coupler, and then you could run simple commands on the screen. Had my first home computer around 1986, but did not start working on computers until around 1996. I have done helpdesk, sys admin, network engineer, and now DBA. I have liked doing all of them, but today, I would not say that I do this because I like it, it is because I have to. There isn't another profession I could change to, and make the same money. I have been at my current employer long enough where changing jobs would mean giving up some benefits, and having to start over on a new company retirement plan. Being much closer to retirement now, keeping up the current plan seems to be better than starting over with a new one. So maybe 10 years ago, I would probably move on to another computer related job that is more appealing that my current position. But today, it feels like in the interests of hopefully being able to retire earlier, sticking with a department that I am not too fond of, seems like it is more beneficial down the road.
May 4, 2018 at 7:04 am
When I was in high school, the closest thing I had to a computer was a slide rule and my father's Curta calculator. (Operation manuals those days were written in cuneiform)
Wandered through all sorts of things from fork lift driver to draftsman (using pencils). Eventually wandered into computers by accident and became fascinated with structure and syntax of language (as a grade school kid I loved diagramming sentences... I think that's related). Went through a variety of languages (C++ being my favorite)
While I get on well with others, I prefer to work mostly alone, and I get that option in this field.. mostly just me and the machine.
...
-- FORTRAN manual for Xerox Computers --
May 4, 2018 at 7:18 am
jay-h - Friday, May 4, 2018 7:04 AMWhile I get on well with others, I prefer to work mostly alone, and I get that option in this field.. mostly just me and the machine.
I have noticed that about people who are drawn to DBA work. App developers tend to be more gregarious.
May 4, 2018 at 7:28 am
Definitely started intrinsically for me. I started playing with a programmable desktop calculator my grandfather bought for his medical lab practice, an HP9810. I took to it quickly and the next thing I knew my grandfather was paying me to write some programs for him. Looking back, he was also one of the best users I worked with, he gave me the algorithm to use, sample data, and the expected results. That is where I got interested in computers, that and high school. Been doing it my entire adult life. Really got into databases over 20 years ago and found that I enjoyed that more than trying to write front-end applications. That is also where I got into the MS stack, and it has paid the bills.
May 4, 2018 at 7:33 am
Definitely a mix of extrinsic and intrinsic motivators for me, but the moment when I found out I could make a computer do ANYTHING still stands out as one of my best memories and my biggest motivator for staying in the field. I love new challenges, and I love the feeling at the end of a successful debugging session; I love getting into the guts of things and finding out how they tick, and making them tick better :). If I didn't have to make money, I would still be doing computer work, although it would be as a part-time contractor so I could put my brain to work on purely fun projects in my off time.
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