>> My career goal is to program useful stuff people use, with smart people. I think at a high level that is a fine career goal. You want to work on interesting

>> My career goal is to program useful stuff people use, with smart people. I think at a high level that is a fine career goal. You want to work on interesting problems in an intellectually challenging environment (that's where smart people are), and you want your work to have meaning to society. I think if you continue to hold your work to this standard, you will be able to look back on your career with satisfaction.