Software Engineers Will Work One Day for English Majors

[marmar]

(Bloomberg) Which of the following describes careers in software engineering?

A. Intellectually stimulating and gratifying.

B. Excellent pay for new bachelor’s degree grads.

C. A career dead-end.

The correct answer (with a “your mileage may vary” disclaimer) is: D. All of the above.

Although the very term “coding” evokes an image of tedium, it is an intellectually challenging activity, creative and even artistic. If you like puzzles and are good analytically, software development may be your cup of tea. You not only get to solve puzzles for a living, but in essence you compose them.

Wages for new computer-science graduates working as software engineers are at, or near, the top of most surveys, certainly compared with new humanities grads. We hear about the gap a lot this time of year, as students compare job offers.

.....(snip).....

The downside? Well, say you interview as a graduating college senior at Facebook Inc. (FB) You may find, to your initial delight, that the place looks just like a fun-loving dorm -- and the adults seem to be missing. But that is a sign of how the profession has devolved in recent years to one lacking in longevity. Many programmers find that their employability starts to decline at about age 35. ...................(more)

The complete piece is at: http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2012-04-22/software-engineers-will-work-one-day-for-english-majors.html

[Warren Stupidity]

1. 60, here, my employability is fine.

But that is because I have always kept my skills sharp and in demand. YMMV indeed. Went to dinner with a group of people my age - and three software guys there, one unemployed long term, two just recently employed after lay offs during the Crisis. It was a collar checking moment.