Hello all,

I am currently working as an EDI Administrator for a healthcare firm and I'm on the cusp of beginning to program. I have some exposuer to VB 6.0 and Perl in my work, and have started to feel that being a "builder" of applications, processes, and systems might be more satisfying than being a high level user.

I'm planning on studying VB .NET on my own, but what I've come to realize is that there is so much to learn. Rather than investing all of the time effort and energy into aquiring the skills only to discover that the work isn't satisfying, I'd like to pose the question here.

Do you all find programming satisfying as a career?

Are you able to feel like you make a difference?

Is there a particular role that is more enjoyable to you than others? (Is building from scratch more satisfying than troubleshooting legacy stuff?)

Do you have creative freedom and control?

My objective is to be certain that I am moving towards greater satisfaction in my work, and more control. I think programming generally would be more satisfying than Administration,...however, the variety of roles within the programming universe really seems to vary quite a bit.

Also,..anyone familiar with VB.NET & MS Web Services? Is it viable as a skill to make a career out of or am I a victim of hype?

Thank you in advance for any help that can be offered,

Jack