by

AUTOMOTIVE SOFTWARE DEVELOPER

NAVIGATION | UX | CYBER SECURITY

written by DANIEL HARRISON

illustrated by András (b) Baranyai

… and 11 other
exciting professions
for the modern world
 written by Daniel Harrison – illustrated by András (b) Baranyai

When I grow up
I want to be a software tester
… and 11 other exciting professions for the modern world
TO THE PARENTS
“What do you want to be when you grow up?” Children are frequently asked this question, and there
are endless options – from plumber or veterinarian, to ballet dancer or astronaut!
Every parent wants to give their child the best opportunity to succeed in life: To help them find a
profession that perfectly matches their interests and capabilities. One hopefully that will grant them
the chance to find satisfaction and professional success, and let them make a decent living at the same
time! Today, this might not be as easy you’d think. As technology evolves, its direct impact on the labor
market has become an increasingly common topic of conversation.
Computers, and other modern technologies, have conquered a large part of our world, making our
lives a lot more convenient. The more technologies we create to solve our problems, the more roles
are created to support and develop them. No matter what kind of digital device you use, someone has
had to plan, compile, test, and sell the software you run on it.
There are so many exciting phases forming an integral part of these processes – the result of which
could be to allow you to navigate from one city to another, or transfer money with just a click. While
these areas already have many experts, they will continue to need many more into the future – so
today’s children are very likely to play an important role in these fields tomorrow.
The purpose of this publication is to introduce and promote a selection of IT-related professions that have
emerged during the digital revolution, and it is designed to show the younger generation a selection
of career alternatives for the future. We believe that the sooner that a child becomes acquainted with
these options, the more encouraged they will feel to become a part of this world. We’d like to make
the technological industries an attractive alternative to ballet dancing or the veterinary profession, and
to show the exciting opportunities available in these fields.
We suggest that the first time your child reads through this publication, you join them, so that you can
jointly discuss everything that requires a detailed explanation. The captions are also designed to help
your child understand what the given rhyme and drawing is about. By searching on the internet, a
parent with less extensive knowledge of the professions, can find plenty of supplementary information
and explanation, for instance via the links available at nng.com/whenigrowup.
What to do if your child becomes interested? There are lots of organizations and schools country-
wide, which offer game-like sessions and courses focusing on the world of programming. The internet
also provides countless applications and webpages which are aimed at the younger generation
and designed to be used in an easy-to-understand and playful manner. They explore how fantastic
the world of information technology can be. The most popular is Scratch, a programming language
created especially for children by MIT, and which is supported by a large selection of educative and
inspirational videos on the web.
Hopefully, this publication will give you and your child the help you need to discover more about this
wonderful world.

FROM US TO YOU
As a software development company, we love what we do, and we feel it’s our duty to inspire
future generations of programmers and IT professionals. We’ve noticed how these exciting roles
are sadly underrepresented in the 6-10 year old child’s narrative, an age range which could be
considered to be the most formative years. However, we have also experienced the challenge of
explaining these roles to children in a way that is appealing to them. To overcome this, we have
created this book – with the help of our colleagues, who supported the project with their own
expertise and dedication – to show children how exciting this field can be.
NNG is proud to stand behind it, and we hope it will accomplish its goal, raise children’s curiosity,
and serve as an inspiration.
Have fun!
The NNG Team
 SOFTWARE DEVELOPER
programming
language If you want some software made,
then I’m the one to know.
From video games to GPS,
(it tells cars where to go).
I can take on any plan,
that you might have in mind,
CODE and make it a reality,
with all my skills combined.
Developing’s not easy work:
I need to understand,
the languages computers speak,
and how to type commands.
Imagination’s vital,
to picture all your needs,
so I can change them into code,
that my computer reads.
This job’s complex and sometimes hard,
it might even make me stressed,
especially when a deadline’s near,
or plans are in a mess.
To blow off steam some coders play,
toy helicopter with toys, to help them think.
But me, I get my bare feet out,
I swear they do not stink!
SOFTWARE TESTER gps
transmitter
When I grow up I want to be,
a software tester, yes siree!
I’ll poke and prod, and try to find,
the problems coders leave behind.
I’ll search for bugs in every mode,
and try to break the program code.
Developers might curse and hiss,
if I can spot something they miss.
But if I do, that’s well and good,
a solid tester really should.
Because the truth, is this you see,
no program’s ever error free!
A certain function might not work,
and make a program go berserk.
bug
Or maybe brackets make it freeze
when they’re typed in instead of ‘e’s
So with this knowledge I’ll reply
to all the tech and coder guys. test gadget

And though we might appear to fight,

together we would make it right.
So when the project is mature,
it’s quality we could assure.

bug an error or flaw in a computer program

VEHICLE FIELD TESTER
The only way to really check,
that something’s fit for use,
is to test it in the real world,
and hope nothing comes loose.
While other testers sit at home,
and play around with code,
well, I’ll be out around the globe,
to test things on the road.
I get to drive all sorts of cars,
or ride along inside them,
and check that all the systems work,
before I authorize them.
I place a cam above the dash, head unit
to record all my actions,
so everything’s repeatable,
if there’s a strange reaction.
I make sure all the parts respond,
in all the ways they should.
I need to know there’s nothing wrong,
before I close the hood.

Onboard
camera
UX DESIGNER wireframe
UX design’s a special job.
We think about the users.
How they might choose to interface, eye-tracking
with cars and their computers! glasses
It takes a team to understand,
what makes those certain actions,
feel better to the human hand,
than other interactions.
A button here? A lever there?
A swipe or flick? Or neither?
It’s how these questions are resolved,
that marks a true designer!
We use a range of different tools,
to test ideas and theories,
on test subjects who volunteer,
to answer all our queries.
We track their eyes, watch where they look,
it helps us make decisions, test subject
‘bout where to place the things in cars, heat map
that help avoid collisions.
While safety’s first, it’s not alone,
in our considerations.
Fun. Comfort. Style! Must feature too,
in winning combinations!

ux (user experience) how a person feels and reacts

when using a product 
wireframe a simple layout of each step in a user experience
exhibition booth ACCOUNT MANAGER
Account management’s,
a thankless task,
on me they are reliant.
I mean who else wants,
to go out late,
and dine alone with clients?
You must not forget,
there’s travel too,
to make sure things stay friendly.
The client’s office,
is where I go,
to listen quite intently.
OK. Yeah, alright!
work pays the bill,
but it’s not all fun and games.
‘Cause if anything,
goes wrong at all,
you can guess who gets the blame!
business card
See, once the fun part’s,
software product wrapped and done,
that’s when the real work starts.
I’ll spend my time
neck deep in forms
to ensure all play their part.
brochure See each request
the clients make
must filter through our system
And that’s the hardest,
part of all,
to make sure we fulfil them!
PROJECT MANAGER
Now I’m a project manager,
“What’s that?!”, I hear you ask.
Well, I’m in charge of watching costs,
and planning all the tasks.
Doesn’t sound too glamourous? Well,
I’m not just counting beans!
I’m making sure that everyone,
has everything they need.
I make the calls and check the lists, conference call
and find the time we need,
to make the project a success,
and keep the bosses pleased.
I organise and motivate,
like being someone’s mum–
delivering a soothing word,
or good kick up the bum!
As soon as there’s an obstacle.
Then I’m the one they call,
To help them find solutions, so
that they can work at all.
I sometimes wonder what would be,
if I were not around.
I know if I don’t hold their hands,
then problems will abound.
 system diagram
SYSTEM ARCHITECT
A computer system,
is often complex,
and companies hire me,
to side-step the mess.
I design them a system,
made of all sorts of parts.
And then try to make sure,
they don’t fall apart.
Now systems can falter,
for all sorts of causes.
Low power, wrong software,
no data resources!
And a system can hold,
just a certain amount.
A little? A lot?
It’s hard to keep count.
So I write up the rules,
and draw the designs,
that explore all the ways,
a system can shine.
Then I talk to those people,
who’ve asked my advice,
and show them a way,
to make systems play nice.
SYSTEM ADMINISTRATOR
An admins work is never done,
we’ve lots of you to please.
Delivering you brand new mice,
task dashboard
and not the type who eat your cheese!
If you’ve a problem at your desk,
call us on the double!
‘Cause we’re the ones who know the tricks,
that will solve your system’s troubles.
Computer crashed? All function gone?
Your desktop in a mess?
Then waste no time, don’t hold your breath,
we’ll save you from blue screens of death! server room
Need access to a private group?
Or lost your password code?
Then we’re the ones you need to know,
we’ll help you make your profile load!
But, we’re much more than just tech support,
we’ve lots of work to do,
configuring things server side,
so you can work hard too.
We make sure that resources,
are not too few or scarce, toner
so PC’s won’t slow down too much,
and make you scream and curse!
 ROBOTICS ENGINEER
Some people think I’ve lost my mind,
as robots are my passion.
But that’s because they seem to think,
I’ll make laziness a fashion!
But that’s not true, ‘cause all I want,
is to remove the chores,
so we can work on other things.
There’s so much to explore!
3d printer You’ll find me in my garage lab,
with boxed up parts and spares,
my screwdriver is in my hand,
when things must be repaired.

robotic dog I draw the ‘bots on my PC,

and 3D print them out,
and code the ‘bot’s behaviour chip,
so then they won’t act out.
I make the ‘bots do normal things,
that might not seem a slog,
like playing football, violin,
or fetching like a dog.
But when the ‘bots have learned those tasks,
then I’ll know they can perform,
robotic arm
the other jobs that aren’t that fun
and may even cause us harm.
 ETHICAL HACKER
What is hacking you ask?
Let me try to explain:
It’s searching for weak spots,
by using your brain.
We hunt for backdoors,
in computers and such,
and we try to break in,
while you’re having your lunch.
Some hackers they like,
to be bad when they play,
white hat destroying your data,
to ruin your day.
This sounds awful you say?
Who would cause such a stink?
Well it really depends,
on the way that you think.
See, there’re different types,
of people who hack,
those who wear white hats,
and those who wear black.
I wear a white hat,
And I’m here to ensure,
that a company’s systems.
are safe and secure!
I know all the tricks,
and I know where to look,
wifi connected I chase down the bad guys,
laptop and catch all the crooks!
 MACHINE LEARNING
EXPERT
How do we decide what’s naughty or nice?
What’s the difference in taste,
between chocolate and rice?
Who is to say what’s bad and what’s good?
These thoughts keep me up at night,
more than they should.
I spend my days teaching machines to think,
about all of the things,
that make humans distinct.
I take pictures and numbers and put them in sets.
Think of all sorts of tasks,
and list them in steps.
Then I help the computer to explore,
which part is important,
and which to ignore.
I keep the machine huffing and puffing:
“What pic’ am I holding,
Chihuahua or Muffin?”
artificial
A simple test of my success, intelligence
will be when the machine,
can beat me at chess.
Though my final goal (my biggest dream),
is to help the machine,
think like you and me! access card
DATA SCIENTIST
There are all sorts of secrets, Correlation
to be found in our data.
And secrets mean treasure,
But we’ll come to that later.
Nearly everyone’s clueless,
all confused and at sea,
wond’ring how that their data,
can matter to me.
But like sailors of old,
looked for patterns of stars,
to help find new lands,
they thought lost and afar.
I hunt for new patterns,
search the oceans of data,
to find hidden pearls,
that help business’ think straighter.
I take all of these gems, raw data
and weave fabulous maps
grand carpets of numbers,
and pile them in stacks.
Business’ uses this treasure,
to help understand,
where they should cut back,
and where to expand.
They have need of my skills,
because no one knows more,
about all data’s secrets,
and where to explore.
 Idea: Andrea Schenk (NNG LLC)
Creative lead: Mátyás Sólyom, Patrik Putz (NNG LLC)
Poems of the English version: Daniel Harrison (NNG LLC)
Poems of the Hungarian version: Dániel Varró
Illustrations: András (b) Baranyai
Special thanks to Zoltán Nagy, Tamás Kerecsen, Zoltán Tompos, Dániel Kelemen, Ádám Trenyik, Orsolya Vásárhelyi (NNG LLC),
and Gábor Fadgyas, Péter Szűcs (Team of Café PR Kft.)
This publication was made possible by NNG LLC, a dedicated supporter of tomorrow’s programmers.
© 2018 NNG Software Developing and Commercial LLC. All rights reserved.
Budapest, 2018.
What does a Project Manager do?
What does it take to be a Software Tester?
What makes being a UX Designer so exciting?
You can find answers to the questions above in this collection of
short poems, introducing 12 professions of the IT industry.
Join us in exploring these thrilling occupations!

nng.com