Peter, Brent's kinda' got a point. Titles are just that - titles. It's what you actually do and your value to the organization that really matters. Everything else is just a lot of worrying about how your business card looks in the Free Lunch fishbowl at TGI Friday's. On the other side of your listed job responsibilities, Peter, you listed technical writing. Like you, I have played the part of PHP+MySQL developer, MySQL DBA, programmer, basic office geek PLUS senior consultant, HTML prototyper, and product development manager. When I was doing that stuff, I was a System Architect. Now? I'm a Senior Technical Writing Administrator (that's what MY business card says). At least I can write about how vastly underutilized I am. > -----Original Message----- > From: Brent Baisley [mailto:brent@landover.com] > Sent: Thursday, April 24, 2003 3:51 PM > To: Hutchins, Richard > Cc: php-db@lists.php.net > Subject: Re: PHP+MySQL Programmer/Geek -- Job Titles? > > > HEY!!! That's my title! I was going to say that. > Seriously, I wouldn't get caught up in titles too much. A "manager" > title may leave you out of certain opportunities, while a > "programmer" > title may do the same. I do most of the same stuff you do, > plus router > configurations, computer repair, Unix admin, research, training, > presentations, etc. Just the other day I was in the computer > room with > Windex and a roll of paper towels, cleaning. > > I work for a technical recruiting company and there are many > instances > where we work with the candidate to change or remove titles from a > resume so a they will be considered for a position. In many larger > companies, your given title has to do with your pay scale. Your > business card can say anything, but I would keep it generic so it is > applicable to many situations. > > For me, Systems Architect usually elicits a "So what do you do?" > response which leads to further conversation. > > On Thursday, April 24, 2003, at 03:22 PM, Hutchins, Richard wrote: > > > System Architect > > > > What do I win? > > > >> -----Original Message----- > >> From: Peter Beckman [mailto:beckman@purplecow.com] > >> Sent: Thursday, April 24, 2003 2:01 PM > >> To: php-db@lists.php.net > >> Subject: PHP+MySQL Programmer/Geek -- Job Titles? > >> > >> > >> Ok, this is sort of relevant. If not, feel free to ignore. > >> > >> I am a PHP+MySQL developer, MySQL DBA, programmer, IT systems > >> manager, and > >> basic office geek. As part of my new job, I am responsible > >> for reading > >> RFP's from the Federal Government and evaluating them for technical > >> content, and then recommending courses of action. I also > >> have to do a lot > >> of technical and non-technical writing, explaining the > >> processes to both > >> technical and non-technical folk. > >> > >> I'm really good at what I do. > >> > >> However, my boss just gave me business cards that say "Data > >> Processing/Programmer." I just don't think that that > title accurately > >> conveys what I do. > >> > >> The best I've come up with "Senior Application Developer," > >> but I worry that > >> is a little vague. > >> > >> Could the community offer some suggestions as to a title that more > >> accurately describes my position? Or maybe share their > >> titles or their > >> dream titles? Anything with Data Processing in the title > causes me to > >> think "Monkey with keyboard," which I surely am not. > >> > >> Thanks, > >> Peter > >> -------------------------------------------------------------- > >> ------------- > >> Peter Beckman > >> Internet Guy > >> beckman@purplecow.com > >> http://www.purplecow.com/ > >> -------------------------------------------------------------- > >> ------------- > >> > >> -- > >> PHP Database Mailing List (http://www.php.net/) > >> To unsubscribe, visit: http://www.php.net/unsub.php > >> > > > > -- > > PHP Database Mailing List (http://www.php.net/) > > To unsubscribe, visit: http://www.php.net/unsub.php > > > > > -- > Brent Baisley > Systems Architect > Landover Associates, Inc. > Search & Advisory Services for Advanced Technology Environments > p: 212.759.6400/800.759.0577 > -- PHP Database Mailing List (http://www.php.net/) To unsubscribe, visit: http://www.php.net/unsub.php
