Through a series of entertaining stories, the author walks readers through a complete software-development job lifecycle, starting with the job search and finishing with the realization that it might be time to look again, in a guide that covers understanding one's boss, career networking, how to deliver effective presentations, managing and participating in meetings and more. Original.
Lopp, software engineer and self avowed geek, presents this narrative guide to the life cycle of a technology career. Divided into short, humorous vignettes about Rand, a fictional prototypical geek, this volume describes the hunt for a new job, the interview, day to day work, quitting and moving on and a host of other situations, characters and tribulations in the working life of a tech professional. Throughout the work, personal stories relate real-world advice about how to deal with bosses, coworkers and situations that often arise in this field. Annotation ©2010 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)
Is it time to become a manager? Nest and vest? Join that start-up? Tell your boss he's a liar? Or resign in disgust? As a software engineer, you'll face many important decisions such as these, and when you do, you realize there's much more to your career than dealing with code. Author Michael Lopp recalls his own make-or-break moments with Silicon Valley giants such as Apple, Borland, Netscape, and Symantec in Being Geek, the insightful and entertaining book that may help you manage your career better.
Through a series of entertaining stories, Lopp walks through a complete job lifecycle, starting with the job search and finishing with the realization it might be time to look again. Plenty of books teach you how to interview for a job, or how to manage a project more successfully, but only Being Geek will help you handle all the baffling circumstances you experience at work, including how to:
- Understand your boss with the chapter on "Manager Management"
- Boost your career through networking with "We Travel in Tribes"
- Deliver effective presentations, with "How Not to Throw Up"
- Manage and actively participate in meetings, with "What's On the Agenda?"
- Realize when you should be looking for a new gig, with "The Itch"
