Dammit, Brad!  You caught me!  Yes, I deliberately ducked out before
giving an answer.

*sigh*  I really don't have a good answer.  That's complicated by the
fact that my current job isn't _strictly_ system administration...even
though it taps all of the same skill sets.  So when I'm just being
categorized, I start off saying "system administrator", but usually
have to follow that with "I work with computers"...which sometimes
leads to them asking me about their Windows PC...and then I have to
explain further.  (I really do need to get a set of shirts that say
"not on the clock" or something.)

When I'm being weighed and measured...I guess I'm more likely to
follow Steven's example, but not necessarily to tell them what they
want to hear...but hopefully to tell them what they need to know to
accurately make their judgement...most of the time.

When introducing myself, I usually just describe my experience
relevant to whatever I am presenting.  I don't really use a label for
myself.  Or if I was requested to give the talk then I don't bother
introducing myself much beyond name.  I guess I figure if the asked,
then I don't need to tell them why I'm the one giving the
presentation.

I really don't like my usual answers.  But I think I'm usually
confident enough that it isn't an issue.  Yes, I feel like I'm
completely bullsh!++ing the person that asks...but I guess as long as
they don't know I'm bullsh!++ing them...or the do know, but accept it
because it's all part of the dance...then I guess it works.

However, it doesn't help our _profession_ gain a clear identity.
That's the part that bugs me about most all of our answers in this
thread, so far.

On Tue, Jan 11, 2011 at 18:05, Brad Knowles <[email protected]> wrote:
> On Jan 11, 2011, at 4:01 PM, Aaron McCaleb wrote:
>
>> Perhaps there _is_ a third level, as well:  When we introduce our
>> selves, in which we have need to clearly define our role, our
>> expertise, our qualifications...such as just before delivering a
>> presentation at a conference, or to management, etc.
>
> Okay, so to summarize, what is your answer to this question, on each of those 
> three levels?
>
> --
> Brad Knowles <[email protected]>
> LinkedIn Profile: <http://tinyurl.com/y8kpxu>
>
>
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