Would I like software developing?

I'll try avoid rambling but can't promise anything - I've been thinking about my career path heaps lately so I got a lot of thoughts going on! If you aren't interested in the long story then skip the first few paras.

I'm currently a uni student (University of Sydney) roughly halfway through a double degree in Civil Engineering and Commerce. Thing is, I've ended up getting a job at an accounting firm where I do software applications (making fancy excel spreadsheets), and I'm really enjoying it. I've also started getting ideas of some programs I'd like to develop, but I really don't have time to pursue them with my schedule.

I've actually signed up as an iOS developer (note my ideas are across both the OS X and iOS platforms), and have played a little bit with XCode. A lot more complicated than something like MATLAB! Recently I realised all the applications that I've received as a developer, including Instruments. Wow that stuff looks awesome, and really looks like something I'd enjoy doing. Optimising code to work on multicore systems? Bring it on.

Given this, I'm considering changing over to BIT and BCom - hopefully I'd have a good portion of BCom done and they wouldn't make me redo it with the newer classes. I'd basically then work my schedule so that I have time to pursue my ideas and still get my uni degree done.

In the long run, I think I want to run a small (or medium/large!) company of technical experts. I'm thinking analysts or software developers, or both. I think that'd be awesome, and something I could do well at.

So from uni, I think my BCom (Finance), and experience at the accounting firm will give me a firm groundwork of understanding of the business world.

At the moment, B.C.Eng is alright, but I'd like to give my software ideas a run, so BIT would be better. Also think I'd major in computer science rather than information systems, as I do want to get very skilled technically re. computers. Thing is, my current double degree is 5 years and I'm already 2.25 years in, and doing the switch would mean another 4-5 years *shudder*.


Anyway... what's it like developing software? Here's a couple traits/interests of mine, would being a software developer suit me?:
1. I'm big on efficiency
2. I like processes (A -> B -> C OR D etc..), and making them more efficient!
3. I need to innovate. Thankfully I've already been doing a bit of that at my accounting firm. I'd never want the job of going through an old program and making it marginally better, I want to do cutting edge work.
4. I'm fairly social, and like managing. I'd be comfortable as a team leader.
5. I like design. From a practical perspective, which I then believe should tie in with an asthetical perspective. Solutions should be efficient, elegant, simple, and rock solid.
6. I like the idea of design road networks (spanner in the works there!), in particular projecting them through an optimised, perfect route. Usually my thoughts about this relate to an elegant yet powerful software solution.
7. I want to get extremely good at something very technically challenging, then use it in a very applied way to do all of the above!

Thanks to all who read all this, I'm looking forward to hearing your responses.

 

Thanks for the reply. A lot of interesting points there for me to consider.

For me, the whole thing about efficiency is more "using programs to make human tasks more efficient", rather than "making programs as resource-efficient as possible". The latter is still an interest, but I think the former is most prominent for me. I would think it safe to assume that the former is extremely relevant these days.

I think that logical thinking is something I'm decent at. Also visualising the overall method. I've done a small bit of programming at university and also at work, and I guess it's something I find... easy, though I'm hesitant to say that as I realise I'm only taking on simple tasks.

One thing that I think would be helpful is if I could spend a day working/watching a software developer. Ultimately, a job is a day-to-day job, and I think it's important that the work lifestyle appeals to me.

Also saw that my university does have a software engineering course - this might actually be closer to what I'm looking for.

 

Wirelessly posted

Nice video! Yeah I think developing is something that definitely would appeal to me. I really do like problem solving. In respect to the video, I don't think I'd struggle at thinking about projects from the finance side of things, and also with working with people.

Thanks again for the replies all, I'll be keeping these comments in mind as I make these decisions over the next couple months.

 

Wow, big promise there! Awesome I'll look into working through it.

Interesting. Though I suppose I'm already teaching myself what I know, university hasn't given me too much help. So yeah, guess it makes sense that the two aren't as related as everyone makes them to be. I guess at the moment, what I really want to do is pursue this business idea of mine. I think to do that, I need some time in my weekly schedule for it. As for where I'll be in 5 years time and what job I'll be doing (or what degree I'll be finishing), I really can't say.

 

Thanks! I'm thankful to have the luxury of choice - there's a handful of things that I think I could do well at, so may as well pick the one that I really enjoy and am most passionate about.

Anyway sorry to drag up this old thread but I thought it'd be beneficial to post my resolution to this. I've decided to go the IT route, it's becoming more and more obvious to me that that is the skill set I'm most passionate about. I'll be changing degrees from my B.E (Civil)/B.Com to B.IT (Com Sci)/B.Com in August. I'm quite excited about it.

I'm hoping to go one of two routes:
1) Develop awesome programs that revolutionise the business world, and open up big opportunities to individuals - i.e. general solutions
2) Become a solutions architect (heard that name recently from an IT friend - love it!) - i.e. custom-tailored solutions
My aim is to focus on 1), and if that doesn't pan out as well as I'm hoping then I'll go with 2). Though in reality I think I'll end up doing a bit of both.

Now to get on with programming!

 

Some good points there. I definitely agree with much of the article even with my little experience - creating IT solutions is a huge task. I don't think anything has stretched my mind more than the software development I've done at work, and I'm probably the only one that understands the true complexity of it. As for the reward, well that I think comes down to business skills. If you're living on "peanuts", you're doing it wrong I reckon. E.g. Draw Something and Instagram - those guys definitely know how to take a product to the market and capitalise off of it!

Would I work for someone like Apple? Potentially. I like their vision and the grandness of their thinking, but I just don't think I'd have the freedom to pursue the projects I want to. Many of my ideas just wouldn't fit in with their business model.

And congrats on doubling your income in a year, that's quite a feat!