Tuesday, January 20, 2009

So, what do you do?

So far, I've found that one of the hardest questions for me to answer is, "What do you do at work?" I design interactive voice response (IVR) systems. Like clockwork, the next question is always, "Well what is that?" The only way I can explain it is, "You know those automated phone systems that people hate to talk to because they'd rather talk to a person? Well, I design those." I usually then get this look that someone might get when they reveal to people that they're a telemarketer. Whatever, I enjoy it, and it pays the bills.

Red Ring of DeathSince this is my first post, welcome to my blog. Now, I've got to call Microsoft because my Xbox has the red ring of death...again. I'll probably have to talk to one of those "damned machines."

*UPDATE: My Xbox has decided to work again. The green ring of life is back.

4 comments:

  1. That's pretty funny. Because when people ask me what you do...i give them the same explanation. They usually say something like "Well maybe he can make one that actually understands me"..or something relative to that.
    I agree...it's a completely ridiculous question unless you have a profession like "housewife" or "mailman". Those seem to be pretty self explanatory.

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  2. I would give a generic answer and just say that "I work with computers," but then they'd be like, "Well hey, my computers been acting crazy. Think you could take a look at it?"

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  3. Or you could just say I work on phone stuff...then computer related questions wouldn't be an issue.

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  4. Just tell them that you are an Intellectual.
    This by definition is a person who places a high value on or pursues things of interest to the intellect or the more complex forms and fields of knowledge. A person professionally engaged in mental labor.

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