I'm a programmer. I have been one for 22 years. Programmers generally don't interract with the public if we can avoid it.
In my previous job I did everything I could not to have to interract with the public. I wasn't very confident.

But after being made redundant I went for an interview for a new job.
They told me that any successful applicant would have to interract with the actual proletariat from time to time. I told them I was fine with this (I wasn't fine with this at all).

I got the job.

Several weeks of blissfull programmy goodness went by before I was told that I was going to be 'technical sales support' for our M.D/Sales Director as he did a presentation.

Nobody told me that the M.D was a lying weasel who would avoid responsibility at any opportunity but it was clearly too late before I found out the hard way.

"..and this is Airman Gabber who will be presenting the product to you." weaselled my boss as he sat back and left me to stand in front of 8 senior managers who we were trying to convince to buy our software.

60 sweaty and uncomfortable minutes later I sat down and let the weaselly one smarm his way with corporate management bollocks.

We got the sale. I was uplifted.

Helped my confidence no end and since then I've happily presented our products in front of audiences of 30 or more.

I could do sales, me.
( Airman Gabber Living life like a 70's BBC presenter, Fri 19 Aug 2011, 11:33, 4 replies)

Similar to me
Geek background (not programming) but ended up needing to present to audiences of a few people to hundreds of people. It terrified me at first but now I really enjoy it, so much so that I've just applied for a job where I'll be presenting almost every week. I really hope I get it as the job will be perfect for me.
( SteamedCleaner, Fri 19 Aug 2011, 12:10, closed)

A baptism of fire is often the best way to overcome stuff like that.

( girlinthehole, Fri 19 Aug 2011, 12:31, closed)

I'm much the same - got into computers because they're easier to relate to than people
The first time I had to stand up and present to a crowd of strangers, I opened with "Hi - my name's Moon Monkey, and I'm an alcoholic."

Thankfully, after a terrifying pause, there was general laughter and I was away.
(moon monkey is busy making memories worth repressing, Fri 19 Aug 2011, 13:06, closed)

Except the friends of Bill
who thought your sharing sucked.
(Misery McUglywife an attention seeking sociopathic fuckstain., Sat 20 Aug 2011, 7:17, closed)