For me it's solving actual problems faced by actual humans, making their lives easier or their work process less painful, and reaping the accolades and appreciation. Actually I'm kidding about the accolades... I do get them, but I don't really care. The point is, I feel like I'm helping people. In college the environment and the problems are probably a bit artificial, so you might not be getting that experience yet.
I still get some satisfaction from the "making the computer do what I want" thing, but usually that only happens in situations where first there's some degree of doubt that it'll actually do what I want. Which is usually when I'm trying to master a new technology. When using things I already know how to use, making the computer my beyatch is less of a surprise, so the feeling, as you say, dissipates.
I still get some satisfaction from the "making the computer do what I want" thing, but usually that only happens in situations where first there's some degree of doubt that it'll actually do what I want. Which is usually when I'm trying to master a new technology. When using things I already know how to use, making the computer my beyatch is less of a surprise, so the feeling, as you say, dissipates.