The Dallas Morning News printed a profile on me titled "Where I Work" in the Job Center section on Sunday April 18, 2004. It was a puff-piece, which of course, I liked. This is a weekly column where they profile Technical and Medical employees each week. The printed profile was edited some to fit the space. Read the text for the published article below or read the full article here.

WHERE I WORK

Software Pro hired to solve client puzzles

By PATRICIA V. RIVERA

Special Contributor

Name: Doug Green

Age: 39

Company: Doug Green Consulting

Location: "While Dallas and North Texas are home, I am located in the twenty-first century on the Internet, just a phone call or email away."

Title: Software Engineer, Architect, and Consultant

Job description: "I am an independent software developer, specializing in solutions to difficult projects. I work in most technologies, with emphasis on Windows C++, Internet based solutions, and Pocket PC development."

My typical day: "I get my best work done early in the morning and late at night. I keep regular morning hours, take time off most afternoons, and get a few hours in most evenings. Some of my best ideas come while Rollerblading, bicycling around the Lake or going to the movies. I visit my customer at least once every couple of weeks, if only to say hello, but usually to discuss priorities. I start every day reading and answering emails. I usually have a list of things to do. I spend most of the day researching software problems and developing solutions, which involves is a lot of time at the computer, trial and error and searching the Internet."

What drew me here: "I have always liked puzzles and building things, and software development is a natural fit. I have very much enjoyed working in small businesses for the last decade, sometimes as owner or part-owner. When the self-employment opportunity presented itself this time, I mourned my last job appropriately, began looking for new business, was lucky to find a great customer who had a small need, and did a good enough job that it has turned into recurring business."

Where I fit on the ladder: "I hold a unique position in any organizational chart. I am my own boss, but my real boss is the customer. I typically work directly for a top level decision maker. I fit into my customer’s organization as a supplier of knowledge, expertise, and software development."

How I am compensated: "I prefer to work on fixed priced projects, where I get paid in increments, some up front and some as work completes. This works best when I keep projects well defined and small. With more established customers, I occasionally bill straight time."

What I wear to work: "My home is my office, so what I wear to work is simply what I wear to life. On most days I wear shorts and a T-shirt, some days less, some days more. I have learned that some self-esteem comes from occasionally dressing nicely, and my wife certainly appreciates it. When I visit customers I dress business casual, a little above average for a Techie, but short of a suit and tie."

Advice to someone who wants to enter my field: "Get an education at a top four year University, taking as many programming courses as possible, but learning theory and algorithms over technology. Be an expert in several technologies, but gravitate towards the more difficult, higher skilled ones. Work on industry specific projects, but avoid industry specialization unless you want to spend your entire career working for that industry."