Software and Life Choices
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runjorel from our live community sent me a very thought-provoking email. He is currently attending Grad school, studying Business Information Technology. Unfortunately, however, he’s finding himself not as satisfied as he thought he would, and asked my opinion on a very good question. Here is his email:
Here’s the situation. I am a 27 year old student in grad school studying Business Information Technology. I was really excited about going to grad school because I thought I would be surrounded by intelligent people trying to solve problems through innovation. Unfortunately, what I am realizing is that the classes just teach you how to be a better corporate employee and all of my classmates are concerned about retiring rich at the age of 35 through easy money. That’s just not my cup of tea. I want to DO SOMETHING!!!
Despite my passion for technology and writing code, I have always felt that I don’t have anything that I can contribute back to society. I mean some people have the skills to build houses for victims of natural disasters all the way to people who have the science know-how to engineer innovative products that help people in Africa prevent starvation, etc. And then, here I am…a software developer for a 10 person company that’s going to school at night. The last thing I want to do when I graduate is get some ‘cush’ job at a big corporation.
I was starting to feel hopeless with that same old nagging question, “What the heck am I going to do with my life?!” until I saw Hans Rosling’s presentation at TED. I know this sounds weird, but the software he used in that presentation kind of uplifted me/inspired me.
So having said all that, (whew), a friend of mine and I were shooting ideas back and forth about how software can help people. And I dont just mean some iPhone app that helps someone find which Peet’s Coffee shop is closest to them ;), but something that really benefits society. I wont get into any of ideas here because that’s a completely different email, but I was wondering if you had any ideas. OR I was wondering if you knew of any organizations that need help?I know its a pretty ‘far-out-there’ question, but if you have any perspective in that matter I would love to know what you think.
First of all, yes it was a long email. But, you caught my attention. My degree is in English Education. The only reason I’m doing what I do today is because the Internet and the way it works fits me, and my personality. I’m able to help people and teach, so to speak, without a blackboard and reaching a much larger “classroom”. That’s where you want to be. If you create something that you’re proud of. If you create something that other people appreciate… that’s where you want to be.
You have to connect within yourself. I think it’s absolutely admirable, what you’re trying to do. I think you’re going down the right path. I’m not saying that people who choose the corporate path are wrong, but I think that largely… they won’t be happy in the long run.
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33 Comments
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at 6:52pm
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March 11th, 2008
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11.Software and Life Choiceschris.pirillo.com6 commentsSocialRank Add to iTunes | Add to YouTube | Add to Google | RSS Feedrunjorel from our live community sent me a very thought-provoking email. He is currently attending Grad school, studying Business Information Technology.
NJ Tech Geek
March 7th, 2008
at 9:26pm
Top Five Tips when Buying an Office Chair How OEM’s Respond to Customer CallsSoftware and Life ChoicesWireless Carrier Wish List Teleport
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March 7th, 2008
at 11:10am
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EuRoRoXXX19
March 6th, 2008
at 1:34pm
hi wacplayer32
tidusquall10x
March 6th, 2008
at 1:34pm
Chris is a master
MiLoMac06
March 6th, 2008
at 1:47pm
Your videos are disappearing. Teleport and Timecapsule are gone.
easybuckets
March 6th, 2008
at 1:53pm
runjorel, awesome email! more people should have this outlook on life and strive to do something meaningful with the talents they have. respect!
easybuckets
March 6th, 2008
at 1:54pm
runjorel.. awesome email!
PresidentJFJ
March 6th, 2008
at 2:55pm
has anyone else noticed how much of douche Chris is for using the second half of EVERY one of his videos for advertising and self obsession.
NahanTrebuh
March 6th, 2008
at 3:19pm
You must feel like Jim Carrey in Bruce Almighty. When he has to answer all his emails, I personally hate having to remove multiple emails of no specific origin.
Thanks for the vids Chris
CharlesACarroll3
March 6th, 2008
at 4:18pm
Very inspiring vid. I am in a point in my life where I’m not sure which direction I should go.
MiLoMac06
March 6th, 2008
at 4:23pm
Never mind. They are back but with a 2 hour gap in comments.
njrotcdude
March 6th, 2008
at 6:04pm
make a IED scanner infront of military vechs that will save lives..
memskez
March 6th, 2008
at 7:43pm
chris your the man! keep it up bro.
o0splitpaw0o
March 6th, 2008
at 8:31pm
Participate in an open source project. Like into XO development. Code for a Desktop designed for 3rd world countries. Done & Done.
badboy2009
March 6th, 2008
at 9:55pm
good guidance here chris. Im interested in blogging on lockergnome, if anyone can tell me what to do to get started just send me a message to my youtube inbox. much appreciated :)
uoflcards99
March 6th, 2008
at 10:19pm
very laggy =(
emeek77
March 6th, 2008
at 10:36pm
i warn people of how bad microsoft is. Thats my calling. Help people stop WASTING there money. thats a worthy cause.lol and I teach Final Cut Studio and do motion graphics. didnt use to make money but i do now. its not work if you enjoy what you do. its play you get paid for/
FLCProductions
March 6th, 2008
at 11:10pm
love your comment eric!!!
BlueMoonPenguin
March 6th, 2008
at 11:23pm
There’s a difference between blind preaching and helping.
StJimmyPyro
March 7th, 2008
at 1:08am
Chris for President!
Haha, inspiring speech.
thecmcolombian
March 7th, 2008
at 1:41am
thats sad
pspaddict01
March 7th, 2008
at 2:22am
Chris for President!
hfiles23
March 7th, 2008
at 2:46am
I am in a school in Holywood UK and I am in Year 10 and I am studing ICT Business Adminastration becasue I love comoputers and I would like to have a job with computers.
fialcz
March 7th, 2008
at 2:47am
great advice, great video.
Paragon0fVirtue
March 7th, 2008
at 4:47am
This is great stuff. My college education was computer networking. However, I started working with Flash as a hobby. Making websites for friends and stuff just for fun. I am at the point now where I am making some money doing this “hobby”. Even though I am not making as much yet as I could configuring routers for a corporation, I am happy. I wake up, go downstairs, and start working when I want and Im loving it.
randy_nacol2002
March 7th, 2008
at 11:35am
Chris , this was a very inter-examing video. I look at my school years and I had the passion of Marine Bio sciences. I had a true passion that i allowed my parents, friends, and even school mates explain who much a looser i would become striveing this life. I could have followed a dream and a passion but instead I lost my soul.
Stephen E. Morrison
March 7th, 2008
at 4:10pm
Hello, this is the first time I have responded to an email to this column. I certainly commend runjorel for his noble intentions. I don’t know what his situation is, as far as being able to transfer to other institutions, but I would strongly encourage him to investigate other schools, as there are many that are very “society” oriented. If he were to find the right one, they certainly would be able to connect him with like minded people and organizations, and embark upon his altruistic journey, all while getting an advanced degree.
QuickSpark
March 8th, 2008
at 5:13am
Of course, but some could argue hes giving the experience of his own life..
Christoph
March 7th, 2008
at 11:49pm
I commend the fact he wants to do better for society and his community through his work. I myself have had somewhat of a similar tug-o-war with myself and i have come to this:
Locally our schools are hurting for computers, main reason is of course the cost of purchasing them and lisencing etc etc.. well I have decided I would like to start recycling older pc’s using of course OpenSource and donating these pc’s to the schools so not only will the children have a better chance to use a pc but to also experience opensource software and linux. Thus helping the schools save money, help save on the terrible toxic waste pc’s create in our landfills.
It may not seem like a million dollar money maker but thats not the point to me, its about helping and teaching our future which is our children.
kinglacho
March 8th, 2008
at 1:42am
thanks Chris, that blog post is really inspiring
Jerry Dunham
March 8th, 2008
at 8:43am
It’s wonderful when you can make your contribution to a better world through your work, but it’s not the only way. My passion is companion animal rescue, and I pursue it with every available minute. I know, though, that it’s virtually impossible to support onesself doing this, and know I have to keep my “day job” as an engineer to finance my passion.