Subj : Re: advice
To   : comp.programming
From : gds
Date : Thu Sep 01 2005 10:46 pm

secret.type@gmail.com wrote:
>Hi all
>
>i feel very awkward writing this mail, that's why i kept this post
>pending for a year...
>
>i am an undergrad in my junior year & i _think_ i like programming
>
>i like to write short/trivial scripts etc to do small jobs
>
>but, when it comes to writing decent sized programs, i start postponing
>it & when i really get started on it, i get bogged down by some trivial
>thing/bug
>& that is the end of the project
>
>I feel really bad about this, especially because I hope to build a
>career in the IT field
>
>I keep asking myself whether I like programming or not
>& whether it was meant for me...
>
>thank you

Some people who get bored working on large programs go into system
administration or operations.  You might look into that.  In that
career, it's more important to quickly diagnose a problem and provide
a quick fix, possibly by modifying a script (e.g. shell, perl, python)
or figuring out an alternate configuration.

Keep in mind, however, that you may have to work on large programs
occasionally.  Also, regardless of the size of the program, people are
going to be relying on you to do the right thing.  So if you find
yourself getting bogged down too often, think about how people may be
anxiously awaiting your fix.

There is lots of information on the web about sysadmin/ops careers.
Try the SAGE website (www.sage.org).  Also read comp.unix.admin.

Good luck,
--gregbo
gds at best dot com

.