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> possibly an enlightened parent or a role model

This is typically the 'secret sauce'.

I was once asked how I got to where I am, where others in my situation might not have, my response was: “Parents that gave a damn”. It wasn’t about pressuring me, it was about recognising my interest in computers, and fostering that interest as much as was financially possible given our circumstances (which were often dire). My parents aren’t technical, but they did what they could, and I wouldn’t be the engineer I am without that.

I grew up with a foster mother that actively "suppressed" what I did on the computer, banning me for a month if I didn't get changed immediately after school.

Now I've become a senior engineer, but I'm kinda shotty at it, chaotic good in solving problems, but issues with authority and process.

Who knows, maybe I would've became a "run of the mill" engineer if she helped.

As an engineering manager I see problems with authority and process as something usually positive.

This usually leads to more things getting done “right” than “wrong”. IME.

Having the same issues/traits I’m not sure how that gets formed - my upbringing was limitless in many ways.

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