Software Development Professionals?

[angelpalgt]

I'm a User Experience Developer, which means that I design and build the side of the software that people interact with. It is my job to make sure that the software is usable and attractive.

I'm just curious as to whether or not there are any others on this site working in any aspect of software development. I just figured it could be fun to chat about some of the things that we do, give each other some moral support, etc.

[amorey]

I work in user experience, too. I'm an information architect. I work at a financial institution, and I mostly design interfaces for consumer facing web apps.

I have a graphic design background, and I sometimes think that this side of things is a little too technical for me. Not as much room for creativity.

[angelpalgt]

Wow! It's great to meet someone else on here who does something similar. Have you ever done anything with the Interaction Design Group?

I design the user interfaces for both Windows Forms and some Web Applications for our software. Our software controls Emergency Alerting Equipment (radios, sirens, etc). I don't care as much for the back-end side of things, either, but our company is a little too small for me to be picky (there are only four of us, and three are Executives).

[jellybeany]

I'm an application developer. I work mainly in web development right now working with ASP.NET and C#. I have a Bachelor's of Science in Computer Science.

[VeekaSF]

Hi girls, I am a software QA engineer, hope you do not mind me posting here ;) I am basically test everything you girls create!
I am also working on my BS in computer science at this point...
But I do not think I want to move into development after I would get it, but will see…

[lmg159]

Hi there! My background is in Computer Science. I did application software and server testing for 5 years. I quit at the end of last year and now I am trying to start my own business, but my DH is still working at my old company doing Linux kernel development. We are a totally geeky household! :)

[Kristen78]

Hi. I have a degree in Business/MIS. I am working as a software developer though. Our company is small and we dont really have different types of developers, so I design my own UI for my software but its based on a windows look/feel. Anyways, I am still coding in VB 6.0 over here. Hopefully moving to .NET soon...

[Lydia]

I just built my first PC and am teaching myself Ubuntu. Just for fun.

[DaniML]

Maybe we can liven this thread up a little. I didn't even know it exsited.

I have an Associates degree in Computer Programming and have been doing this for about 6 or 7 years now.

I'm an application developer as well. I currently work for a huge insurance company (Life/Disability type insurance). I mainly use C# (new dev and maint) and VB Script (maintenance). I've been here almost a year. Before that I was a web developer and still do a lot of that on the side. One of my customers from my last job stayed with me and I love that I still get to be creative because my current job doesn't allow any of that. They tell me what to program and how to make it look and I do it.

Lydia, congrats on your accomplishment!

[lil_geek]

Wow! I never saw this thread before!

I have a degree in Computer Science and did post grad in Internet management. I mostly program web applications (php right now), though do some 'fun' sites on the side. But I TOTALLY lack the creative side!!

[scarlett]

I never knew this thread existed either. I have a BS in Computer Science and Engineering. I've worked developing front ends, back ends, and interfaces.

I'm currently a SAHM, but I'm trying to do some part time work to keep up on my skills. I've found that report development (and writing the SQL queries for them) have been a real need that I can tap into as a SAHM. I really think that there is no reason why software development couldn't be done as part time work (from home), but it's hard to make companies understand that and give it a try. I would love to create a network of SAHMs with software development experience to break into companies to do part time work. I think it could be greatly beneficial to both parties. Unfortunately, I don't know many women that fit that bill.

[DaniML]

I really think that there is no reason why software development couldn't be done as part time work (from home),
That is actually one of the things I really love about the type of work I do. If my son is sick or I'm expecting a delivery or I'm not feeling all that great, I can just work from home. I can do my job just as well (sometimes better because of the lack of distractions) as I can here.

I have actually thought about going freelance for a long time, but it's hard to break into when you depend on a steady income.

[lil_geek]

That would be my dream!!! Unfortunately I am not in/around a big city with a lot of those needs... and telecommuting or not, people don't want to hire you if you are hours away! (Though I DO know some people who have gotten lucky and work for places in Europe from home).

I would also love to do more freelance web developing... but people seem to fall into 2 categories.... they have TONS of money to spend on sites and go with larger firms, or they want to spend like $50 on a site for someone to do it 'on the side'!

[DaniML]

but people seem to fall into 2 categories.... they have TONS of money to spend on sites and go with larger firms, or they want to spend like $50 on a site for someone to do it 'on the side'!
You are so right about that! I've signed up for plenty of freelance type sites and the projects offered are all to often "Design/Develop a 30 page E-Commerce Web Site with custom shopping cart for $20"! It sucks!

[karlatta]

I have actually thought about going freelance for a long time, but it's hard to break into when you depend on a steady income.

My DH is a former Software Architect, and he does freelance work on the side through all of his former employers. The nice thing is that they value his experience and skills, so they pay him really well. And I like having the extra money in the bank!

I used to be a Systems Analyst for a company that developed software for the oil and gas industry. I quit that to teach, and then I quit that to be a SAHM, but reading your posts reminded me of the good ole days. It was some fun stuff!

[tonic]

Its great to see some other female software engineers on here!

I'm a compiler engineer currently, but I've done networking performance tools and java applications in the past. I program in C++ everyday. I do some php scripting and SQL work in my free time ;)

[DaniML]

My DH is a former Software Architect, and he does freelance work on the side through all of his former employers. The nice thing is that they value his experience and skills, so they pay him really well. And I like having the extra money in the bank!


I actually do work on the side as well. And you're right, the extra money in the bank is great. It has paid for vacations and new gadgets. I would really like to be able to do it full time though and that's just very hard to do.

[MSH]

I'm a computer programmer but do mostly web development and design tweaking. I wish I were more creative but I am seriously lacking in that area.

[lil_geek]

Looks like I sent out some good vibes, my best client has a TON of work for me right now, and even a possible referal site.

MSH - I am like you. DH jokes that he will always be able to tell a site I did becase they are all fairly similar layout/design elements!

[Bernie & Matt]

I apologize ahead of time if I'm intruding. If I am, just let me know, but I'm looking for help. I'm a teacher who has become the IT department (just me, myself, and I) for a private school. I need help with Coldfusion. Specifically, our web designer didn't include a photo gallery for our site and now wants a pretty penny to add it. I'm hoping to help my school save some money (we operate in the red) and figure out a way around it. Can anyone help or even point me in the right direction?

[alex67]

Ok, I have to join this thread. I am a web developer for a large health care organization. We are a two person shop (both females!) so we do it all. Majority of our apps are vb.net applications. We design our own databases (primarily SQL), write our own queries/stored procedures/packages, do our own testing (with the exception of the client right before we roll it out), and support everything we put into production! We have no support team. My coworker and I are oncall 50/50 to support everything so the more we do, the more we have to support. Good thing most of our stuff runs flawlessly. But even if hardware (ie:server) causes issues with our apps, we still have to troubleshoot and resolve the issue instead of a networking or hardware team. Good thing they pay us well. :)

I used to be strickly on the design side (client-side design and development and graphic design) so I have done it all. I enjoy the back-end more. I still do quite a bit of side work for local businesses and friends but am wanting to start slacking off on that.

[suiej]

Joining in, too! I'm an application developer and database administrator strictly in Geographic Information Systems. I majored in Geography in college and never thought I'd end up as a programmer! I worked extensively with computer hardware in college (as a help desk support person) and got invloved in relational databases and some programming in a language called Avenue for ESRI GIS products.

My company is small and needed someone to learn all about Oracle so they picked me and I become the database adminstrator. I started getting back into programming with Avenue and then moved into VB6, where I'm sort of stuck for right now until we move towards less desktop development and more web development, then I'll be entirely in VB.net.

I work full time and get to telecommute one day a week, which has been fantastic. It's nice to "meet" you all!

[alex67]

Hey Suiej! Nice to meet another techy gal. This thread doesn't appear to be very active but still nice to meet others who do similar work.

Isn't telecommuting wonderful?! I am able to telecommute up to 3 days a week if I wish. Usually I only do 2 and it is flexible which days I choose. This works out great with juggling my kids' schedules.

[DaniML]

I don't telecommute on a regular basis. But one of the things I love about my job is that I have that option if I need to. If my son is sick I can work from home without any problems!

[risa00]

I have a Bachelors in Computer Science as well however it's been over 5 years since I have written any code. I am a technical recruiter however for the largest software company in the Seattle area. If anyone is interested in possibly exploring opportunities, please PM me. :)