My job is to make sure Hack Club is working on the right things, has the right mission, has money in the bank, and has the right team working on those things. My days include a lot of conversations with the team regarding our roadmap, planning, and future casting. I also spend a lot of time focused on hiring and building out our team.
CAREER
Computer Programmers
Overview
Salary Median (2020)
$93,000
Projected Job Growth (2019-2029)
-10.2% (decline)
Career
Roadtrip Nation Leaders in This Career
What Computer Programmers Do
Create, modify, and test the code and scripts that allow computer applications to run. Work from specifications drawn up by software and web developers or other individuals. May develop and write computer programs to store, locate, and retrieve specific documents, data, and information.
Other Job Titles Computer Programmers May Have
Analyst Programmer, Computer Programmer, Programmer, Programmer Analyst
How Leaders Describe a Typical Day at Work
I work from home full-time. I sit at my computer, and work on assigned projects. I have a wide variety of work. I communicate with my manager and co-workers primarily by email. Working on software allows me to use my brain to devise solutions to stated problems or to add function to existing programs.
Tasks & Responsibilities May Include
- Write, analyze, review, and rewrite programs, using workflow chart and diagram, and applying knowledge of computer capabilities, subject matter, and symbolic logic.
- Correct errors by making appropriate changes and rechecking the program to ensure that the desired results are produced.
- Perform or direct revision, repair, or expansion of existing programs to increase operating efficiency or adapt to new requirements.
- Write, update, and maintain computer programs or software packages to handle specific jobs such as tracking inventory, storing or retrieving data, or controlling other equipment.
- Consult with managerial, engineering, and technical personnel to clarify program intent, identify problems, and suggest changes.
Education
Level of Education Attained by Computer Programmers
Most common level of education among people in
this career: Bachelor's degree (88%)
Some college, no degree
Associate's degree
Bachelor's degree
Majors Related to Career
Educational Paths Suggested by Leaders
Suggested Path
High School
Bachelor
Molecular Biology
Suggested Path
Bachelor
Computer Science
Bachelor
Business/Commerce, General
Additional Skills & Experiences That Can Help You Excel
Good typing, good problem-solving skills, and in-depth knowledge of my computer platform and programming languages we use. I learned what I know on the job over the past 30 years. I love what I do!
The skill I would most recommended is analytical problem solving. Even though I do a lot of writing, I also do a lot of analysis. You need to know how to process a lot of information and boil it down to a few lines of data then convert that data into something plain and understandable. It’s also helpful to know how to present information graphically using charts.
Getting Started
Recommended First Step for:
High School Students
If you're just starting out as a young person in any field, one of the best things you can do is find people who are respected in that field, get close with them, and meet with them regularly. Those mentors can help you through sticky situations and also be a vouch of confidence for you to others in the field. I recommend cold emailing people. One benefit of being a young person interested in a field is that people want to help you.
Everyone
This page includes information from theO*NET 26.1 Databaseby the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under theCC BY 4.0license. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA.
