Company: SPSS Inc., a Chicago-based reporting, analysis and modeling software company.
Salary range: $50,000 to $100,000 at my company.
Time on the job: 3 years
Previous job: I worked as a software engineer for Riverside Publishing Co.
Age: 33
Education: B.S. in computer science from Arizona State University
How I got this job: I came to the U.S. from Poland in 1984 with the desire to enter the computer industry because of its growth potential. I started out at a small software company in Arizona, where I learned the key ingredients to be a software developer: the ability to learn quickly, think abstractedly, pay attention to detail and, most important, be persistent. I got the job at SPSS through a recruitment agency, which was able to match me with my wish to work for a mature and well-structured commercial software development company.
Why I took this job: The job gives me the opportunity to challenge myself to creatively write software, analytically solve problems and see the results shipped off to the consumer.
Main responsibilities: I write computer code for SPSS Data Entry for Windows, a survey design and data-collection product for businesses. I review computer designs and codes and correct defects and bugs in the system. My day usually begins by checking if a program has successfully built itself overnight through an automated system. If it has, I can continue with my projects; if not, I have to go back and solve the problem.
Best thing about the job: It’s fulfilling to create something from my own thoughts and have my creations expressed as computer-intelligent software. The biggest satisfaction is knowing the product is solving people’s business problems, making their jobs easier.
Worst thing about the job: Having to deal with problems all the time, such as bugs in the program and system failure. You have to work very long hours to write accurate programs to make sure a product is released to customers problem-free. It gets very frustrating and tedious.
My ideal next job: I’d like to eventually move into a management position, so I can use all my organizational, creative and technical skills to develop more quality business software products for consumers.
Advice to job seekers in this field: You have to continuously study on your own to keep up with current software and computers technologies. What you mastered last year may be obsolete today.
