I am beginning to realize something about the computer field that has not really occurred to me before. I am starting to realize that as I get older, I am losing my desire to stay on top of this field and stay cutting edge so to speak. Maybe this is why you see so many disgruntled older guys in this profession.
When you first get out of college, you are really on top of the industry. Well, maybe not right away, but soon thereafter. You have been studying it thoroughly and learning everything you can about it. For a young man, it is very interesting and exciting.
I am at a point in my life now where I want to settle down. My priorities are beginning to shift towards raising a family and building a life outside of my professional career. As a result, it seems that my interest in staying cutting edge with technology is beginning to wane.
In fact, I find myself starting to scoff at new gadgets when they are coming out instead of looking forward to them with a keen eye. I see this happening more and more as I get older. All of this technological gadgetry that I once thought was cool is starting to get under my skin and affect me in negative ways.
I guess a lot of it is because I have gotten pretty darn good at certain technologies over the last decade. Now that I have mastered them, I can produce high volumes of quality work in very little time. When the technology changes though, you have to relearn everything. You make mistakes and beat your head off the wall like you did when you were first learning the last technology. It seems that this is going to be a never ending cycle.
Maybe some people think that is fun, challenging and exciting. I will agree with the challenging part. But, fun and excitement for these new technologies are two characteristics that I would attach less and less. Maybe I was misguided in choosing this career path. I certainly didn’t think so at the time. At the time it was a natural fit for a curious kid who loved computers and anything with an LCD attached to it.
It seems inevitable that I am going to become one of those grouchy old men in this field that has allowed the technology of the day to surpass him. One day I will be stuck fighting hard to keep a job that no longer demands my outdated skills. Yay! What a bright future. I should have stuck with the electrical engineering program.