Where does one begin?
I am 49, with a M.S in zoology and about 23 years of computing
experience beginning with an Apple 2+.
After several years of
teaching at the 4 year college level, I found myself involved
in a genetics research laboratory. Since I was one of the few who
was computer literate at the time, it fell to me to program
record keeping applications.
As this evolved into a large,
well-funded project, I was asked to set up a Unix network
and a relational database server to handle the increased data
that were flowing into our flat-file database. Years later I
am still with the same research group with enhanced responsibilities
and a comfortable salary.
Some factors that made all this possible:
- Money is far less important to me than where my 9-year-old
son lives and goes to school. Having said that, I never turn
down a raise... And my salary is quite adequate, thank-you.
- I have pushed the edges of my capabilities many times,
but the "Peter Principle" has not claimed me as a victim.
- I have grown in my abilities, and am able to provide support
to others in similar situations.
- I discovered Perl 5 in 1994, and have never
looked back.
- I gratefully accept advice, collaboration, and the sense
of community provided by such groups as Perl Monks
Bottom line: Pick a field you like and work you enjoy and make a career of it. Don't let
your job dominate your life. There IS a life outside of work. Soak up
all the knowledge you can. Pass it on to others.
-----
"Computeri non cogitant, ergo non sunt"
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