a short intro

On my first day at work, the new boss asked me to write something up about myself. Sitting to my left, his eyes never leaving the flickering monitor, he said, "Be creative. Use pictures if you like. Just say what you want. Who is Dean?" Another developer, 2 seats to my right joined in, "Ayos lang yan, pinagawa rin niya yan sa akin (It's no big deal, he made me do it, too)." So I did, verbosely:

I guess the best way to start job introductions would be to say a little something about why I ended up here in the first place. So, I was exposed to computing at an early age. To put things in the proper perspective, this was a time when internet connections involved noisy modem beeps, Yahoo and Geocities ruled the scene, and floppies were a respectable means for data migration. I enjoyed it and so actively joined those random Computer clubs at school that really don't offer much education besides launching Carmen Sandiego and, if you're lucky, disassemble a pc.

My sister took up an IT course in college and I--getting my hands dirty in HTML, PC setup, and Diablo 2-- followed suit, taking up Computer Science in UP Manila. And I had a great time of it, working on little MP's that showed me how much is possible with the right algorithm. By then, I've also discovered how much I love to write, probably because I love to read as well. I think the programming knack is related to writing, since both attempt to communicate intangible concepts through words, though to entirely different audiences.

So there. I spend most of my time reading(current book is H.G. Wells' "Food of the Gods") and keeping tabs on multiple rss feeds clueing me in on emerging technologies. Currently, I think Android is a great bet since it's a lot more liberal in terms of what you can do with a mobile device. I feel that when I get better at it, I'll be able to create amazing things that are a lot more practical and wide-reaching. Instead of building applications that run in some random server in some dark corner of the world, I'll be building something that can improve, or even radically transform, the way people live.

And all this from finding the right words to tell the PC. That's why I'm a Software Engineer.

I thought it was a little too intense for introductions, a little too dramatic for your first hello. But I knew this was how I honestly felt. Just be honest; I remember how simple life could have been if I stayed true to myself in younger days. I'm going to follow my own advice this time.

I received a copy of my write-up later that day. He had sent it to the company-wide mailing list, with a brief messaging welcoming me to the fold. I feigned embarrassment. But the truth of the matter is, I was filled with pride. I hope everyone's first impression of the new kid on the block is: "The new guy's passionate, and literate, too."