Describing My Job to ‘Normal People’

I went to dinner with a group of guys on the weekend. (Yeah, I know, I am actually sort of normal sometimes). In one of those awkward moments, I had to describe what I did, I am wondering what you tell people that you do ?As is normal, we all do the “what-do-you-do” thing, which, if you are a doctor, or a journalist, management consultant is pretty much a nod of the head and some mumble of recognition. But when you are in computers there is enough savvy for people to ask - “what sort of computing ?”

I am a Plumber ?

My favourite is: I am computer plumber. If you think of every computer as a toilet, then when you flush, the contents go somewhere. Right ? So I am guy who makes all those connections between the toilets, I just for computers.If they still ask the question, or look like they comprehend that:I connect all the computers into suburbs, then into towns, then cities. Then I build the sewerage treatment plant, you might know it as a firewall, its a bit more complicated than that, but near enough. Then I push the contents all the way into the Ocean, which is the Internet.That’s how I am a plumber.

Highway worker

Sometimes, when I am looking for something really,really shortIf the Internet is the information super highway, then I am a guy who builds the highway.

Doctor versus Surgeon

If I get into a discussion about how I am different from the ‘guy who fixes your computer’, then I use a metaphor for Doctor vs Surgeon. A Doctor works in general practice and knows a little about a lot of things. A Surgeon is a specialist in specific medical area, and has some specific skills. Well, I am like a surgeon for technology, but I am not very good at repairing your home computer.

When I was much younger…

When I first started out in IT, it was distinctly uncool to ‘do computers’. It was so bad that I invented different jobs for myself to impress the ladies. These days however, people definitely see technology in a different light and are genuinely impressed, and even interested.

How do you do it ?

I am wondering how you describe your job to other people ? I would be interested to hear from you. Leave a comment if you don’t mind. I am looking for a new way to describe myself.