[gameprogrammer] Re: job field security

On Thu, 2004-08-26 at 21:13, grant hallman wrote:
> At 08:57 AM 26-08-04 -0500, you wrote:
> >On Wed, 2004-08-25 at 23:15, tristan drago wrote:
> >> is it true that most jobs now in programming is going over seas? is the
> job market safe for a new entry level programmer out of college?.
> >> 
> >
> >Well, it all depends on which side of the seas you are on? If you are in
> >the US, then yes, many are currently going to India, other Asian
> >countries, several eastern European countries, and even to Canada.
> >Anywhere the cost of a programmer is less than in the US. Countries that
> >speak English are preferred.
> >
> >My last full time job moved to India, then the contracts jobs moved to
> >India. My old boss moved to Canada. I know that enrollment in computer
> >programming classes has collapsed. People don't believe they can get a
> >job with those skills. I know that because I teach programming at the
> >local community college. 
> >
> >I have seen downturns in the programming market before, but never so
> >bad, never so deep, never so long. New graduates do seem to be getting
> >jobs, but at much lower pay levels than before. And, it is taking them
> >longer to find them.
> >
> >Here is the thing, the job market is never safe. If you are looking for
> >a "safe" field to study you are just out of luck. Everything changes.
> >Every job is at risk. When you stop looking for a safe harbor and learn
> >to embrace the storm you will be much happier.
> >
> >                     Bob Pendleton
> 
> ...happier in the sense that "wet, battered and seasick" is happy, yes
> indeed :) Good advice anyway, Bob - altho it's a tougher world for software
> developers than 30 years ago, still if you're good, one hopes $ will follow.
> 
> grant

Glad you replied... It gives me the excuse to post something that I
forgot the first time. I stated studying computer science during the
engineering downturn in the early '70s. When I changed my major to CS my
adviser warned not to do it. He said "A CS degree and 50 cents will get
you a cup of coffee" (Yeah, you could get a cup of coffee for 50 cents
then.) By the time I finished my degree the demand for CS people was so
high that everyone of the people in my graduating class had as many
offers as we wanted. 

This stuff is cyclical. It is bad now, but if you are just starting out
there is a good chance that by the time you have the training you need
the market will have changed. 

Of course, in 5 to 10 years after that it will stink again. 

                        Bob Pendleton

> 
> 
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