Disadvantages of being a programmer
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I'm thinking of becoming a programmer. I'm considering advantages and disadvantages of this profession. The following things are often cited as disadvantages: 1. Health risks. Spending a lot of time with computer damages vision, develops RSI (Repetitive Strain Injury) and increases incidence of cancer. 2. Volatile job market. When economy goes down programmers are first to be laid off. Cheaper foreign H1B programmers (Indian, Chinese etc.) are often hired instead of natives. Constant inflow of foreign programmers generally decreases wages. Moreover, many companies move operations overseas where programmers are getting paid much less (average salary of a programmer in India is $250). Economists say this trend will continue as world becomes more globalized and communications improve. 3. Negative opinion about programmers. Programmers are often perceived as nerdy, asexual, socially inept, having no interest except for computers. Programmers have troubles finding a girlfriend. Are these disadvantages true? Would like to know your opinion. Thanks.
Alex E. wrote: Health risks. Well, both vision and RSI can be avoided. And believe me, programming is no where near the worst job if you're worried about RSI. Get a decent chair, desk, and keyboard & learn to type; you'll be alright. Alex E. wrote: Volatile job market Here it was the interns, part-timers, and marketing people who were layed off first. Of course, if you decide to go to work for a company that specializes in selling pre-chewed pencils online, you may not do so well when things take a turn for the worse. Still, if your company lives, and you are actually working on something useful, there's no particular reason why simply being a programmer will get you cut. Alex E. wrote: Negative opinion about programmers Well, don't carve it on your forehead then. Most people i've met don't require a job description before they're willing to talk to you. Of course, if you are already a nerdy, asexual, socially inept person, being a programmer probably won't help. All jobs have their disadvantages; you're best off finding a way to do what you like and get paid for it, whatever that might consist of. :)
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Shog9 Actually I use to find learning in bars when drinking really useful. It sort of makes a language liquid. - Colin Davies, Thinking in English?
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I'm thinking of becoming a programmer. I'm considering advantages and disadvantages of this profession. The following things are often cited as disadvantages: 1. Health risks. Spending a lot of time with computer damages vision, develops RSI (Repetitive Strain Injury) and increases incidence of cancer. 2. Volatile job market. When economy goes down programmers are first to be laid off. Cheaper foreign H1B programmers (Indian, Chinese etc.) are often hired instead of natives. Constant inflow of foreign programmers generally decreases wages. Moreover, many companies move operations overseas where programmers are getting paid much less (average salary of a programmer in India is $250). Economists say this trend will continue as world becomes more globalized and communications improve. 3. Negative opinion about programmers. Programmers are often perceived as nerdy, asexual, socially inept, having no interest except for computers. Programmers have troubles finding a girlfriend. Are these disadvantages true? Would like to know your opinion. Thanks.
1. Health risks: Do you think being a policeman or fireman does not involve health risks? Or how about a stock broker? Talk about high blood pressure. 2. Job market: Again, stock broker comes to mind. Also, marketing higher-ups. 3. Negative opinions: Programmers aren't perceived as any of those things. People that are "nerdy, asexual, socially inept, having no interest except computers" are perceived as "nerdy, asexual, socially inept, having no interest except computers". Whether or not it's a programmer makes no difference. It may seem that more programmers are nerdy than say, football players, but so what? There's always going to be some people who have a negative perception of any profession. Think about perception of accountants, lawyers, congressman, IRS people, etc, etc, etc. Chris Richardson
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I'm thinking of becoming a programmer. I'm considering advantages and disadvantages of this profession. The following things are often cited as disadvantages: 1. Health risks. Spending a lot of time with computer damages vision, develops RSI (Repetitive Strain Injury) and increases incidence of cancer. 2. Volatile job market. When economy goes down programmers are first to be laid off. Cheaper foreign H1B programmers (Indian, Chinese etc.) are often hired instead of natives. Constant inflow of foreign programmers generally decreases wages. Moreover, many companies move operations overseas where programmers are getting paid much less (average salary of a programmer in India is $250). Economists say this trend will continue as world becomes more globalized and communications improve. 3. Negative opinion about programmers. Programmers are often perceived as nerdy, asexual, socially inept, having no interest except for computers. Programmers have troubles finding a girlfriend. Are these disadvantages true? Would like to know your opinion. Thanks.
Alex E. wrote: Programmers are often perceived as nerdy, asexual, socially inept, having no interest except for computers. Programmers have troubles finding a girlfriend. Hide your inner nerd under a rough and tumble exterior, talk real big and cocky, act like a rock star and start a band and don't cow away from fights. These characteristics will totally throw anyone off from thinking you can count down from 100 in binary. :) Criminal records, tattoos and peircings can also side track those people whose soul purpose in life is to make fun of others. IMHO anyways... :cool: Plain and simple...I don't think women ever know what they want...even cougars are confused about the kinda guy they want. Cheers! "An expert is someone who has made all the mistakes in his or her field" - Niels Bohr
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Alex E. wrote: damages vision, develops RSI Only if you don't know the correct way to position your hardware, chair, and monitor. Sadly not many people know this. Alex E. wrote: increases incidence of cancer Um, source please? One of these days I should publish a study that finds "Living increases your risk of death" or some such tripe. ;) --Mike-- Just released - RightClick-Encrypt v1.4 - Adds fast & easy file encryption to Explorer My really out-of-date homepage Sonork-100.19012 Acid_Helm
Michael Dunn wrote: One of these days I should publish a study that finds "Living increases your risk of death" or some such tripe. You mean like this: "At this early date, I don't want to start making broad generalizations," Citizens for Safety's Robert Hemmlin said, "but it is beginning to seem possible that birth—as well as the subsequent life cycle that follows it—may be a serious safety risk for all those involved." "Those who suffer from death can be highly traumatized by it, often so severely that it kills them." The Onion: World Death Rate Holding Steady at 100 Percent[^] ------------------------------------------ When I was a kid, I used to pray every night for a new bicycle. Then I realized that the Lord, in his wisdom, didn't work that way. So I just stole one and asked him to forgive me. - Emo Phillips
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I'm thinking of becoming a programmer. I'm considering advantages and disadvantages of this profession. The following things are often cited as disadvantages: 1. Health risks. Spending a lot of time with computer damages vision, develops RSI (Repetitive Strain Injury) and increases incidence of cancer. 2. Volatile job market. When economy goes down programmers are first to be laid off. Cheaper foreign H1B programmers (Indian, Chinese etc.) are often hired instead of natives. Constant inflow of foreign programmers generally decreases wages. Moreover, many companies move operations overseas where programmers are getting paid much less (average salary of a programmer in India is $250). Economists say this trend will continue as world becomes more globalized and communications improve. 3. Negative opinion about programmers. Programmers are often perceived as nerdy, asexual, socially inept, having no interest except for computers. Programmers have troubles finding a girlfriend. Are these disadvantages true? Would like to know your opinion. Thanks.
(nod) But, do you LIKE doing it. While all those "facts" may be true to some degree, they pale in comparison to the prospect of doing something you don't like for the rest of your life because "there is a small health risk associated with programming". By the way you are weighing your career choice (by logically laying out facts and weighing them against other possiblities), I expect that you would be happy as a programmer. ------------------------------------------ When I was a kid, I used to pray every night for a new bicycle. Then I realized that the Lord, in his wisdom, didn't work that way. So I just stole one and asked him to forgive me. - Emo Phillips
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Alex E. wrote: Programmers are often perceived as nerdy, asexual, socially inept, having no interest except for computers. Programmers have troubles finding a girlfriend. Hide your inner nerd under a rough and tumble exterior, talk real big and cocky, act like a rock star and start a band and don't cow away from fights. These characteristics will totally throw anyone off from thinking you can count down from 100 in binary. :) Criminal records, tattoos and peircings can also side track those people whose soul purpose in life is to make fun of others. IMHO anyways... :cool: Plain and simple...I don't think women ever know what they want...even cougars are confused about the kinda guy they want. Cheers! "An expert is someone who has made all the mistakes in his or her field" - Niels Bohr
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I'm thinking of becoming a programmer. I'm considering advantages and disadvantages of this profession. The following things are often cited as disadvantages: 1. Health risks. Spending a lot of time with computer damages vision, develops RSI (Repetitive Strain Injury) and increases incidence of cancer. 2. Volatile job market. When economy goes down programmers are first to be laid off. Cheaper foreign H1B programmers (Indian, Chinese etc.) are often hired instead of natives. Constant inflow of foreign programmers generally decreases wages. Moreover, many companies move operations overseas where programmers are getting paid much less (average salary of a programmer in India is $250). Economists say this trend will continue as world becomes more globalized and communications improve. 3. Negative opinion about programmers. Programmers are often perceived as nerdy, asexual, socially inept, having no interest except for computers. Programmers have troubles finding a girlfriend. Are these disadvantages true? Would like to know your opinion. Thanks.
Alex E. wrote: 1. Health risks. Who cares. You've got to die sometime, you might as well enjoy it yourself while you are here. Alex E. wrote: 2. Volatile job market. Every proffession has volatile job market as sometime or other (except maybe funeral director) :-D Alex E. wrote: 3. Negative opinion about programmers. Most programmers I know, still get some and still have time to code. It's the married ones who have all the problems, not being allowed near the computers after work. :-D Michael :-) Time flies like an arrow. Fruit flies like a banana
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I'm thinking of becoming a programmer. I'm considering advantages and disadvantages of this profession. The following things are often cited as disadvantages: 1. Health risks. Spending a lot of time with computer damages vision, develops RSI (Repetitive Strain Injury) and increases incidence of cancer. 2. Volatile job market. When economy goes down programmers are first to be laid off. Cheaper foreign H1B programmers (Indian, Chinese etc.) are often hired instead of natives. Constant inflow of foreign programmers generally decreases wages. Moreover, many companies move operations overseas where programmers are getting paid much less (average salary of a programmer in India is $250). Economists say this trend will continue as world becomes more globalized and communications improve. 3. Negative opinion about programmers. Programmers are often perceived as nerdy, asexual, socially inept, having no interest except for computers. Programmers have troubles finding a girlfriend. Are these disadvantages true? Would like to know your opinion. Thanks.
Alex E. wrote: 1. Health risks. Not only programmers spend a lot of time with computers. I guess that you'll have to use computer in almost all "modern" (and also in many traditional) professions. Alex E. wrote: 2. Volatile job market. Like others have said it's as volatile as any other profession. Alex E. wrote: 3. Negative opinion about programmers. Yeah, there's a stereotype of every profession. Doctors drink and smoke, male hairdressers are gay and so on. I haven't had any troubles finding a boyfriend (I'm engaged) and I guess that it wouldn't that hard to find a girlfriend either:). I really don't consider myself nerdy, asexual or socially inept. -Janetta
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I'm thinking of becoming a programmer. I'm considering advantages and disadvantages of this profession. The following things are often cited as disadvantages: 1. Health risks. Spending a lot of time with computer damages vision, develops RSI (Repetitive Strain Injury) and increases incidence of cancer. 2. Volatile job market. When economy goes down programmers are first to be laid off. Cheaper foreign H1B programmers (Indian, Chinese etc.) are often hired instead of natives. Constant inflow of foreign programmers generally decreases wages. Moreover, many companies move operations overseas where programmers are getting paid much less (average salary of a programmer in India is $250). Economists say this trend will continue as world becomes more globalized and communications improve. 3. Negative opinion about programmers. Programmers are often perceived as nerdy, asexual, socially inept, having no interest except for computers. Programmers have troubles finding a girlfriend. Are these disadvantages true? Would like to know your opinion. Thanks.
Alex E. wrote: I'm thinking of becoming a programmer. I'm considering advantages and disadvantages of this profession. You want my honest opinion? From your comments I would say you are not programmer material. I doubt very, very few programmers ever sat down and weighed up stuff like getting cancer, negative opinion and RSI. Even I, who confesses to being in this industry because it can make me some money, started programming when I was 13 and have never stopped. This industry is still running very much on passion and love for the job. IT has not reached the stage like the medical industry or the automotive industry where it can just be a normal job. The people in it do it because they love it, they love to code, they love to create. If you do love to programme, then there is nothing you can do but do it. If you don't, then become a manager or seek out another industry. Just remember to do what you love and you will be fine. As for your actual statements. 1. I can hardly think of one industry where there are no health risks. Being an artist has health risks even. And cancer is not one of our health risks, I hear living next to power lines gives you a better chance of getting cancer. 2. When the market goes down, everyone goes down. Not just programmers. Also if you work for a development house they cannot chop out all the programmers, as they are the core workforce. 3. Tell that to the guy who invented Napster, he is quite popular with the ladies. You are not nerdy or unpopular because you are a programmer. You are unpopular or nerdy because that is who you are (not saying YOU are, but you get my point.) Also if you consider this point #3 as opposition to becoming a programmer, then you definitley are not for this industry. I have a beautiful girlfriend and so do many programmers, as do doctors, scientists and garbage collectors. We also have friends and some of us are so rich we could be Woody Allen and we would still be popular ;P Bottom line for me is if you need to ask these questions then find another industry. regards, Paul Watson Bluegrass Cape Town, South Africa Simon Walton wrote: "You come across a lot of people who call themselves realists, when they are actually pessimists attempting to look intelligent."
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Alex E. wrote: damages vision, develops RSI Only if you don't know the correct way to position your hardware, chair, and monitor. Sadly not many people know this. Alex E. wrote: increases incidence of cancer Um, source please? One of these days I should publish a study that finds "Living increases your risk of death" or some such tripe. ;) --Mike-- Just released - RightClick-Encrypt v1.4 - Adds fast & easy file encryption to Explorer My really out-of-date homepage Sonork-100.19012 Acid_Helm
Michael Dunn wrote: Only if you don't know the correct way to position your hardware, chair, and monitor. Sadly not many people know this. Do you have any tips on this for your fellow programmers? Michael Dunn wrote: Alex E. wrote: increases incidence of cancer Programmers drinks lots of coffee. I just heard that coffee decreses risk of cancer... :) Jeremy. "Hey man, Taliban, Tali me Banana."
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I'm thinking of becoming a programmer. I'm considering advantages and disadvantages of this profession. The following things are often cited as disadvantages: 1. Health risks. Spending a lot of time with computer damages vision, develops RSI (Repetitive Strain Injury) and increases incidence of cancer. 2. Volatile job market. When economy goes down programmers are first to be laid off. Cheaper foreign H1B programmers (Indian, Chinese etc.) are often hired instead of natives. Constant inflow of foreign programmers generally decreases wages. Moreover, many companies move operations overseas where programmers are getting paid much less (average salary of a programmer in India is $250). Economists say this trend will continue as world becomes more globalized and communications improve. 3. Negative opinion about programmers. Programmers are often perceived as nerdy, asexual, socially inept, having no interest except for computers. Programmers have troubles finding a girlfriend. Are these disadvantages true? Would like to know your opinion. Thanks.
I agree with Paul, and I am not just after kudos either. However, I must agree with the "programmers are often perceived as" part - that's why I tell people I work with needy children - it carries more "class". BTW I am obviously taking the piss - not even I would stoop *that* low and demean those who really do work with less fortunate people. I tell people I am a Student or a Software Consultant - it covers most of the things I do.
David Wulff http://www.davidwulff.co.uk
I'm not schizophrenic, are we.