I use a 3 tiered system of responses. I gauge my response against the person I'm talking to and am pleasantly surprised when someone actually wants more detail.

I use a 3 tiered system of responses. I gauge my response against the person I'm talking to and am pleasantly surprised when someone actually wants more detail. My responses to "What do you do for a living": "Computers" I use this response when talking to someone at a party who is obviously uninterested, or someone that I think has no idea that this could mean a lot of things. Also, to extended family though it may require an explanation as to why I can't fix their computer. "Software Engineer" This is the answer I most expect to not get more questions on, unless speaking to another software engineer. This answer almost immediately causes the conversation to shift in another direction. I can see the mild panic behind their eyes that I might, in fact, elaborate. "UI Developer" When talking to someone in design or the rare individual who asks for more details then "Software Engineer" It is usually accompanied by a more detailed description of my job.