So, I was skimming (as I often do) through the insightful and well written posts on this forum, and noticed that a fair number of us are involved in the Technology Sector.

I am an information systems security professional.

Who else in the ADD Forums is involved in some way with the technology sector? I would love to know.

What counts as Technology Sector? I work with AutoCAD as a Civil Engineer Technician. I am also our network opperator aka, I take the backup tape home every night and I make sure the network is operating, I also co-ordinate any computer repairs. Is that Technical enough? ;)

I.T. Manager (glorified sys admin) @ Printing Company

Database Marketing Manager

Senior Software Engineer. I've worked on all kinds of stuff from embedded aerospace projects to hit video games.

As long as they keep deadlines tight and stay involved with my daily schedule, I'm okay with getting things done. When they give me a long project and leave me alone for weeks at a time I get myself into a hole and start looking on Dice/Monster.

I've been a computer technician for about four years now, but it's not my current profession.

My hobbies are about 50% computer related.

My daughter calls me a geek.

I'm currently working as a mainfraime technical analyst (the big computers banks use). I've been IT manager, Database Administrator; System Administrator; Project Manager; ran my own Database Marketing company, and have been in the industry for 18 years. Maybe it's time to get out.

I'm actually a better generalist than a specialist; tending to gravitate towards management roles and project management roles.

I am ready to try something new. Hoping to start a Sales business and a Building/Engineering business when I can get my act together.

Sleepz

Computer Programmer, Government Contractor
Want to work part-time but no such jobs!

I'm do tech-support and training at a major university. (and I was an English major :D )

I started messing with computers with an IBM RJE 360 when my sister was in highschool taking a computer class. (late 1960s?

When I was in high school we got an HP 80? and wrote code on cards filling in the dots with a number two pencil (the poor man's card punch!) and paper tape on a teletype.73-75

I started writing software for hire in Fortran with a RATFOR preporcessor on a TI minicomputer with core memory. 76?77?78?

I wrote software on the Atari 800 (6502 8 bit processor) in Assembler, macro assembler, basics, etc. 80-83?

Later I learned Dataflex DBMS (like dBase) and Progress (like Oracle).
Eventually I created some very versital datastructures and algorythms for a diverse variety of specialized markets. 87+

I currently work with people with disabilities to use computers. Blindness, visual impairment, learning disabilities, and motor impairments, as well as doctors and lawyers. : ) 95+

This involves seeing concepts differently than I was taught, to accomodate the understanding and experience of those I am training/ working with.

A strong theoretical bent is matched with a relentless demand for practical application. Is this IT any more? Teaching? Consulting? Smoke and mirrors? I don't know.

" currently work with people with disabilities to use computers. Blindness, visual impairment, learning disabilities, and motor impairments, as well as doctors and lawyers. : ) "

David, That is a really cool thing you are doing!! <applauding> I really admire people who do these kinds of things!! :)

Originally posted by Keppig
" currently work with people with disabilities to use computers. Blindness, visual impairment, learning disabilities, and motor impairments, as well as doctors and lawyers. : ) "

David, That is a really cool thing you are doing!! <applauding> I really admire people who do these kinds of things!! :)

Thanks, however, the challenge has changed. trying to fight for the right to do realistic and quality work is becoming increasingly hard as scammers make unfounded promises and recommendations for small amounts of money against which competence, integrity and additional resources as required, cannot compete.

when the money completely stops, i guess i'll have to say I'm no longer "working" in that area. Tic tic tic

I am currently doing some computer programming/electrical engineering for an automation firm. We build test equipment for various auto makers (Ford, Chrysler, GM, etc.) that tests components such as automatic transmissions, engines, steering gears, etc. It's not the best business to be in right now, but it's the only worth while area in my sector.

wow! I have done so much reading in the past day and I am so relieved to learn that those of us with ADD tend to do well with creative/technical jobs :)

I am the assistant to the Director of Distance Education and my job involves using videoconferncing equipment to connect different classrooms around Texas for our Masters Degree programs in Rural Public Health...

I am a computer programmer on the mainframe for a brokerage firm. I've been doing it for about 6 years and I really hate it. I was kind of pushed into the job by family but now I feel trapped because it pays a very nice salary which I wouldn't be able to get doing any thing else. I spend the majority of my day surfing the web, talking, causing general mayhem in the office, but I am actually very good at my job when I get around to it. Luckily I am able to complete my work much quicker than other people so my goofing off isn't that noticeable.

I am an IT manager for an Automotive Tooling Company.
Have been for 8 years.
Thank goodness I have a great crew working for me, or I would have been fired by now. ;)

I am sure that ADD helped my troubleshooting ability, so I was afraid to seek treatment when I first realized that I have ADD.

But, I mostly do planning and paper work now, so I think treatment will actually help in those areas.

I think the ever changing IT arena keeps my interest up, as I am rarely bored or have idle time.

Before that I was a mechanical engineer. (by trade, not degree)

I am a Telecom Analyst for a Pharmacy Benefit Management company. I work on the phones and PBX, and sometimes some servers, at a Call Center of about 150 to 200 Call Center Agents. The bigger the project, the more I like it. My role has diminished some due to a centralizing style of management in my company but I do my best to keep contributing the way I like.....I hope 2004 has some good work changes on the horizon....we are being bought by another company and I am looking forward to the challenges that lie ahead....I hope there is a big shake-up within the I.T. management structure of my company

IT director for a public school system. I've been in technology for 13 years, the longest of many varied proffesions. I am a better troubleshooter/firefighter than a manager so I'm hoping that coming to grips with ADD will help me work out the organizational and procrastination problems. But all in all it's been the best field for me so far.

Presales Engineer for large software company. Think I like the presales stuff, because every sales opp is different. Been recruited internally by last couple of firms' sales dept. to be a sales person. shyed away becuase of the mondane stuff (paperwork, etc.).

Used to be a DBA/programmer. Have also done tech support (hated dealing with "stupid people", but liked the fact that every call was something different).

I've received several "awards" from management over my career for ideas to improve processes, etc. Usually get my creative moments in the shower. Think I might post another thread on that....

Opus

after working as a programmer for two years after college I moved into the people manager thing. I was in that role for about 2.5 years but I found I never gave any of my bosses the metrics or other bs busy work they wanted. I was always way too busy being hands-on and playing with the down and dirty details with the guys on my team. It was 100 times more fun to be creative than to produce static excel spreadsheets and bulleted status reports. Luckily my teams kept producing awesome software so management let me slide by w/o their reports :)

Thankfully, about two months ago I think the execs at my company either got fed up or got smart and moved me into a product development/management role. No more direct reports and lots of time to be creative. Man this field is stressful......but I just don't think I'd be challenged by anything less :)

I'm a Technical Writer now who has been
Field Service Engineer on copiers, printers, computers, and just about everything else office electronics. Then I sold computer everything for 12 years. Then I went into Telecom and somehow got into training.

Since that fell apart at the end of 2002 I have been working on contract (when I get work) as a technical writer and training developer.
In case you are wondering:
My basement is storing all of the PC parts that I've ever had.
I have 2 servers and each of my kids, and wife have their own computer that is internet ready. Some wireless some wired.
I've been known to use test equipment and a soldering iron.

In fact, my latest (unemployed) hobby is to pull discarded electronics out of the trash in the more afluent neighborhoods and repair it. (Thing is: most of the stuff they throw out actually works! we are a disposable society!)