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From: noemi@moscom.UUCP (Noemi Berry)
Newsgroups: net.singles
Subject: Title Inflation
Message-ID: <634@moscom.UUCP>
Date: Wed, 22-Jan-86 09:08:19 EST
Article-I.D.: moscom.634
Posted: Wed Jan 22 09:08:19 1986
Date-Received: Sun, 26-Jan-86 05:30:10 EST
References: <705@leadsv.UUCP> <130400004@hpfcls.UUCP> <723@leadsv.UUCP> <1572@lumiere.UUCP> <430@ur-helheim.UUCP>
Reply-To: noemi@moscom.UUCP (Noemi Berry)
Organization: MOSCOM Corp, E Rochester, NY, USA
Lines: 33


   [bzzz.... bzzz.... bzzz....] ["Honey, pass the bug spray ..."]

>There's this woman who I know [and I know others,] that MUST be ashamed of
>what they do-- they can not bear the title programmer.
>"Software Engineer", PLEASE!!!

	No, it is not a matter of shame.

	I thought the perception in the computer world for "programmer"
is someone who works in Data Processing, writing general ledger applications
in COBOL and generally for less money.
	"Software Engineers" might also hack applications, but perhaps on
a lower level, with more input on the design and with more room for job growth.
	There is a real fine line there.

>I liken this title inflation to calling a garbage man a "Sanitation
>engineer."  

	I leave it to popular perception.  Perhaps my "Software Engineer"
title can't be justified by Theory of Design or Quantum physics courses, but
I don't think I have sealed my destiny forever from a "genuine" engineering
title. I (as a Cognitive Sci. undergrad) wouldn't sneer at someone with
engineering training from calling him/herself an AI person.

>					yours
>					dave, programmer

	Maybe the ones DOING the sneering are the ones who are ashamed... :-)

-----------------
Noemi Berry
{allegra|decvax|seismo}!rochester [!ritcv]!moscom!noemi