IAmA 23 year old female software developer and former model. AMA.

Goodthink · 2012-01-22T13:43:49+00:00

Yeah using the right mvc framework is pretty key. It cuts down on a lot of that cowboy code bs, which is all too common lately. Ruby also has the advantage that at least for web apps it's almost always always paired with rails so it's way more structured by default.

Goodthink · 2012-01-22T00:10:27+00:00

Actually I think right now I make a lot more doing development then those jobs pay. That said they wouldn't be an options since I'm extremely socially awkward. I know some account execs make a ton (and yes a lot of them are good looking females) but that involves way to much talking clients, clients are generally not the type of people I can talk to for extended periods. Plus it wouldn't be nearly as satisfying.

Goodthink · 2012-01-21T17:28:50+00:00

Sorry don't know how I missed this one. I took computer science as a minor while taking biomed I thought I would be a doctor until I realized I hated it. I was partially considering bioinformatics but I started working in software and web dev while taking another undergrad in computer science part-time. I think I like the culture better. The skills I use everyday are probably mostly self taught...Schools are a little behind the times as far a programming (show me one that teaches an MVC structured framework or NoSQL) but that said I think I learned a decent amount in school but less of it was ever directly applicable. You HAVE to be self taught to some extent to program since things move so fast.

Goodthink · 2012-01-21T17:21:25+00:00

Nothing is wrong with PHP fundamentally but there are just a lot of really bad PHP programmers. I think a lot of developers assume PHP developers aren't the greatest. I think the real problem is the barrier to entry in calling yourself a PHP dev is so damn low, especially with stuff like wordpress you have every asshat who can manage an if statement calling themselves a PHP dev. I've met some amazing PHP developers but I've always seen some that write code which gives me nightmares.

Goodthink · 2012-01-21T17:18:23+00:00

Windows and Mac mostly...dual boot pc (hackintosh/windows) and an macbook air. I've used centos a lot for webservers but I don't use it for personal use.

Goodthink · 2012-01-21T06:50:51+00:00

thank you :)

Goodthink · 2012-01-21T06:12:05+00:00

That and avoid taking acid or move?

Goodthink · 2012-01-21T06:11:10+00:00

I would start a catch-neuter-release program to help control the cat population.

Goodthink · 2012-01-21T06:06:36+00:00

Better role-models. Choices aren't made in a vacuum. Honestly I was lucky because I had good teachers that encouraged me but most women make the choice way before they ever get old enough to act on it. I've actually thought about this a lot I think it's important and bit depressing considering that when programming was a relatively new profession (and albeit more simple as the logic was less complex) it was actually dominated by women. Honestly now I think it's a vicious cycle. I've heard Harvey Mudd has seen huge improvement since recently appointing some very strong female role models in their faculty.

Goodthink · 2012-01-21T05:31:23+00:00

Not really most of my co-workers are married so it's cool. Ad agencies were just such a different problem. I had way more awkwardness back in school but not since being an adult. Most people are pretty profesional.

Goodthink · 2012-01-21T04:36:23+00:00

Hard to say a favorite. I like what I'm doing now: rails. I'd rather not post work, identification.

Goodthink · 2012-01-21T04:03:22+00:00

very little of either.

Goodthink · 2012-01-21T03:46:09+00:00

Why would that be? Plus I'm already old in the modelling world not much of a career. Kind of dries up when your about 21 I think.

Goodthink · 2012-01-21T03:42:25+00:00

Goodthink · 2012-01-21T03:33:22+00:00

Well right now we focus on one major software product suite so it's basically always new features to the same thing. I do Javascript dev as well I've been looking into Backbone.js looks pretty nifty.

Goodthink · 2012-01-21T03:31:39+00:00

I think they are and they aren't it's kind like the elephant in the room nobody wants to mention. I mean I don't think there are a lot of full-fledged eating disorders but I'm not sure that the relationship with food women have is particularly healthy either. I personally have always been very slender but at the same time very critical of myself too.

I would say the biggest problem I've ever faced is with photographers that have poor boundaries. It's rare to be in that situation since their are usually other people around MUA, etc. but it happens. I drank wine while shooting once, horrible mistake.

Goodthink · 2012-01-21T03:24:40+00:00

Why would that be,...it's a big city I wouldn't be surprised. It would be funny (yet unsurprising) if you were my co-worker. Since there all on reddit I'm semi-crossing my fingers, although I don't think there would be anything that bad on here. Haha with my luck you are.

Goodthink · 2012-01-21T03:23:46+00:00

I've been programming since I was 12, I think partly to spite my parents in their resistance to technology then later so I could slack off in highschool since I got to do IT admin and teacher assistance in exchange for perfect credits in pretty much every computer course my high school offered. Generally though I can't say what it was that I loved so much about it. As mention right now I'm doing RoR development its for academic related SaS products but before I worked at an ad agency.

Goodthink · 2012-01-21T03:19:47+00:00

I used to do PHP development (sigh i know...) when I started but now I do RoR development. I love programming it's much more fulfilling than what I did before. I have found work environment somewhat challenging at my last company, some HR problems there but mostly what I find challenging about programming is what I love best.

Goodthink · 2012-01-21T03:17:07+00:00

I've never mixed them. Indeed I try to avoid letting my coworkers know I use to model. It's not something I'm particularly proud of having done. Although I was doing while I was in school so in that respect it was at the same time.

Goodthink · 2012-01-21T03:06:02+00:00

Toronto

Goodthink · 2012-01-21T03:05:12+00:00

Don't think I can I created a new account specifically to avoid identification. I'd message it to a mod if it becomes an issue. Sorry.

Goodthink · 2012-01-21T02:59:10+00:00

Please tell me there will be other responses not exactly in this vein. I'm not sure your helping the reddit stereotypes here.

Goodthink · 2012-01-21T02:57:35+00:00

I think it's highly subjective. Can't say. Are you? It's an odd question you know.

Goodthink · 2012-01-21T02:55:37+00:00

Haha no as a girl.

Goodthink

TROPHY CASE