Subj : Re: Software Job Market Myths
To   : comp.programming,comp.software-eng
From : Scott Moore
Date : Mon Jul 25 2005 02:22 pm



Ronald Skoog wrote:
> 
> Terry wrote:
> 
>>1. Any good programmer requires $60,000 to $90,000 per year or more.
>>(Wrong. They may only require $40,000, or less, depending on the job. Entry
>>level programmers just out of college, many of whom are very capable, can be
>>hired for $30,000. It's not the 1990s anymore. There are many unemployed
>>engineers. The crazed demand for programmers is gone. Programmers require no
>>more pay than intelligent, educated, skilled workers in other professions.)
> 
> 
> In my area a union electrician or plummer make more than $40K (base pay)
> after a 3 to 4 year apprenticeship and a police officer makes considerably
> more with a MUCH better retirement package.
> 
> Given that, why would anybody want to spend 4 in college just to earn $40K?
> Add in that the industry is so unstable that you'll probably be out of a job
> is 5 years (if you don't burn out) and you have to wonder why anybody is
> taking computer science classes anymore.
> 
> Ron

Because they actually like computers and want to make a living doing that?

In the early 90's we saw a wave of new grads who had heard there was real
money in computing. For the most part, everyone was glad when they left for
their alternate profession.

.