Re^2: Software engineering: a useless profession?

[neniro]

Is it just me or do some of the rest of you also attempt avoid letting people find out you work with computers?

No, thats a common behavior. If you tell someone that you're a programmer or something similar, some of them want you to fix their IT-problems, the other ones think that you're somehow a strange person. So it is sometimes the best idea to give only vague answers to questions about your job.

[merlyn]

I sometimes say "I write books about computers, and teach computer classes". But more often, I just say "I'm a professional standup comedian". It's simpler, and about the same craziness, and people can relate to it a bit better.

[digiryde]

I just tell people I am an entrepreneur. Then they think I have no job skills at all (outside of making money off other people's work).

[poqui]

I don't *avoid* telling people that I work with computers, but I don't get into the details of what I do, unless they are persistent.
I am a Data Warehouse designer, ETL programmer, and SQL expert; none of which are easy to explain to non-techies, so usually I will tell people that I am a professional Computer Nerd. That usually gets enough across.