[ohdannyboy]

I started programming in C when I was 12. Computers had always interested me so this was a natural progression. This predated regular internet access (if I was lucky I could get on once a day) so I was entirely dependent on books, all of which are outdated now. What got me hooked was the precision of specifying instructions to computers, controlling what went on behind the scenes. This interest has always been my hook to the subject so it's of little surprise I write firmware for small microcontrollers now.

    What is your experience with university? Did you get a degree, was it worth it, do you think it helped you find work, what did you love/hate about uni?

I went to UIUC for Computer Science and it definitely improved my prospects. My path through college was a bit weird so I was actually in my early 20s when I went in. I was one of the most experienced coders upon entry but that is a really small part of what you need to do well. Up until then my knowledge was entirely practical and I didn't know any of the mathematics or algorithms behind what we do. Those topics along with a rigorous dive into subjects like computer architecture have proven extremely useful since leaving the university. Simply having a top engineering school on my resume has also opened a lot of doors.

    How did you get your first paid work (family & friends, internship, freelance, full-time)?

When I was 16 I got fired from a summer job at a fast food joint and decided it was time to start making money coding. I began offering services writing small PHP applications online, starting at $16/hr and working my way up to $100/hr by the time I stopped in college. It was a great way to make money when I was younger, but the work itself was really boring and the way I structured the business would not support anything more than side gigs. My first "real" programming job was given to me at age 19 by an older friend/mentor who was the director of web development for a regional mortgage lender.

    What do you do now and what do you love/hate about your job?

I write embedded software for IoT power meters and love it -- I also really like that my company helps third world countries get reliable power for the first time. This company is pretty small and I have tended to like this environment more than giant corporations (I've worked for Intel and Qualcomm in the past). It wouldn't surprise me if I end up back at a big company at some point since they pay more, but I really like where I am at the moment.