A few questions here:
How do you handle constructive criticism from a higher up or from a colleague?
Do you get stressed easily at work?
On a team, are you the Positive Pat or Negative Nelly?
Are you happy in your career choice?
1. Fairly well. If someone is using criticism as a tool to make me aware of issues in my performance, I try to take it on board. It'll sting a bit, and I might find myself becoming defensive. But usually, I can take a step back and look at their input objectively
That said, I've come across quite a few people who use "constructive criticism" as a way to dismiss or demean you in some way. And then when you disagree with their criticisms, they claim you're not being objective. They can go eat a bag a dicks.
2. All depends on the job. I work in IT, and part of that is people, and part is systems. When working on systems, I rarely get stressed out or angry (apart from those "why do you hate me computer" moments). But with people, it happens more often.
3. I suppose that's all on perspective. I can come across either way, depending on whom I'm working with. But if we're focusing purely on a binary choice, then I suppose negative nelly. I tend to be fairly critical myself, so I can be seen as pessimistic when my intent is to give an objective breakdown of the situation.
4. Yes and no. I studied English lit, philosophy, and psychology in college. So IT is pretty far from that path. I began my career life focused on study and learning for the sake of it. My goals were about gathering knowledge and gaining a greater understanding of the nature of reality.
But that don't pay the bills. And I went through many crappy, menial jobs just to live. So in the end, I sold out and went into something I enjoy, but don't feel passionately about. It's a good medium to reach. Still, if I had the skills and savvy I have know, I think I could have made a career out of something I loved.
