Taking Pride in Your Work

i find myself more often than not indulging in mediocrity. I could work harder than I do, I could make a better job of my endeavours but I dont have to. Its one of the perks of being a student, no-one really cares like they would if my work affected others.

But while the bitchball is firmly in my court I would like to share an (unrelated) pet whinge of my own. People who constantly attempt to have 'intellectual' conversations and wax wankical in a pretentious and needless to say exclusive manner. Or do you all think I need to find a better cause to champion?

Last Monday I met one of my heroes, political activist/socialist/comedian Mark Thomas - as soon as I told him I was an immigration lawyer he launched into a tirade about the number of disreputable solicitors there are in the profession. So yes, it pisses me off immensely, because ultimately the disreputable professionals among us lower everyone else's standing as well. I work very hard for my clients and I'd feel ashamed if I didn't give them the best possible service, and there's plenty out there who ought to be ashamed and quite clearly aren't.

I take a lot of pride in my work. I also get very annoyed when people who know zero about layout or graphic design try to give me suggestions about what they think might look good. I'm going through something like that right now, actually. I just feel like screaming "Shut up!! I won't tell you how to do your job, please stay the hell out of mine!!"

Trevor I briefly considered being a lawyer. I heard lawyers from many different fields speak about their jobs. The only one who not only sounded happy with their profession but who actually described work I felt I would be proud to do was the immigration lawyer.

sloppiness is a virtue in my world

I take pride in the things I make...Never had a trade to take pride in. If I did, perhaps I would.

Yes, and Yes, but it only makes me look that much better. I am, however, painfully average in a lot of areas of my work, but I do take pride in everything I do and create and I think people see and appreciate that. It is very rare, from what I have seen.

Heh heh, I went into the video game industry knowing how much I hated video games. I only hope I can maximize my being a part of games that don't suck.

I think I do more than almost everyone else (I draw even with some people in terms of effort but have either very good or very extensive results), but I'm not actually proud of it. Sometimes I tell myself I'm learning for my own good but I think it's really because I'm too lazy to drop out and work. If I was really learning for the love of it I'd do more reading on my own and not worry about grades or classes because they would get in my way.

Too much, I have a big ego which I'm sure none of you noticed : ) Friends say they like my stuff and more recently people in my course see that I have alot of passion and direction and assume I have the ability. I need perspective.

Brian: Heh heh, I went into the video game industry knowing how much I hated video games.

In what way? Sorry, I'm threatening to drag this off-topic, but I'm curious because I used to love computer games and want to work on them and I'm a bit disillusioned with the rest of computing, but really I don't care much for 3D games, I'm sick of Quake clones, and when I sneaked into the ECTS trade fair a year ago hoping to rekindle my excitement for video games I really didn't see anything I wanted to play in all the demos and stalls. Then again the real games programmers I went with felt the same way and said they couldn't get excited about the current games market either. But one of them also said that he hadn't bought a game for five years because whenever he saw anything he thought might be good he could just program it himself, which is SO far from my talent/skill level...

Rebecca: Sorry, I'm threatening to drag this off-topic, but I'm curious because I used to love computer games and want to work on them and I'm a bit disillusioned with the rest of computing, but really I don't care much for 3D games, I'm sick of Quake clones,

It really depends on the company. I've been really lucky to work with folks who feel the same way as I do, and actually try and work on fun games. I fall into one of two video game playing states at any single time... A) brainless colorful noisy puzzly hand candy games... like the classics you can play usuing MAME, Chu Chu Rocket, Tetris, etc. or B) the more abstract impressive conquest games... Black and White being my current one on rotation.. done by Lionhead over in England

What's sad is that the generation of video game makers who grew up playing board games is disappearing. That's where my game playing heart truly is... Settlers of Catan, Scrabble, Boggle, Illuminati, even Pass The Pigs... The human interaction, bonding, etc. is something that is unmatched.

The video game industry is really difficult to get into, especially now. And there are a lot of despicable, poorly run developers out there too. One particular large company who's first initial is "E" and last initial is "A" comes in mind. The upper management is one big frat gang bang. Sad.

BUT... don't let that dissuade you, Rebecca. I don't know what your skills are, so I can't give you more specific help, but if you're willing to accept an intern style position initially, you have a better bet that way.

And the sad truth is: the male-to-female ratio at video game companies is like 99,572 to 1, so I think you have a better chance of being hired based purely on having two X chromosomes.. of course, if you're single and into computer geeks, then this may be really exciting for you. :)

(For the record, I try as hard as possible to not be a computer geek outside work... please don't prejudge me on my job.. that's all I ask!)

Could never get to grips with Black & White for the life of me. And I'm just fazed by Chu Chu Rocket. But then I can't stand Monopoly.

Oh, and I am ashamed of my career choice. It brings nothing but misery to all.