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  3. Are software engineer that cheap?

Are software engineer that cheap?

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  • P Pierre Leclercq

    kinar wrote:

    45k for an entry level position

    This is not 45k for an entry level position, this is 22$/hour without benefits for 6 months. Quite not a full-time job.

    You can't turn lead into gold, unless you've built yourself a nuclear plant.

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    sharp_k
    wrote on last edited by
    #31

    not a six months my friend, 3 month contract with Microsoft + you have to travel from east coast to west cost on your own, sounds like deal :)

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    • T thrakazog

      sharp_k wrote:

      , is it fair?

      No such thing in business.

      sharp_k wrote:

      Is Microsoft so poor

      You don't make money paying people what they are worth. You make money by paying them just enough to keep them coming back for more. Us poor wage slaves seldom appreciate this as we're on the less desirable end of the transaction.

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      Pierre Leclercq
      wrote on last edited by
      #32

      thrakazog wrote:

      You make money by paying them just enough to keep them coming back for more

      That is a short term thinking. Companies like MS do have a strategic thinking, and try to balance their age pyramid. It is important for a company that size to ensure a constant flow of human resources. Given they cannot assume they will import all of their skills (visa quotas), they cannot offshore too much (strategic dev is onsite) they have a vested interest in the US remaining a place where young american people want to start engineering careers. And I'd add, the US has (an obvious) vested interest in trying to keep training new young minds in science and technology fields.

      You can't turn lead into gold, unless you've built yourself a nuclear plant.

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      • J Jim Crafton

        Unless you have a real engineering degree, then title aside, you're not an engineer. For a first year job, with no real experience, it's 45K. That doesn't seem that bad for a newbie.

        ¡El diablo está en mis pantalones! ¡Mire, mire! SELECT * FROM User WHERE Clue > 0 0 rows returned Save an Orange - Use the VCF! Personal 3D projects Just Say No to Web 2 Point Blow

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        Gary Kirkham
        wrote on last edited by
        #33

        Jim Crafton wrote:

        Unless you have a real engineering degree

        I am in the mood for some abuse today... Software Engineering != real engineering ;P

        Gary Kirkham Forever Forgiven and Alive in the Spirit The men said to them, "Why do you seek the living One among the dead? He is not here, but He has risen." Me blog, You read

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        • G Gary Kirkham

          Jim Crafton wrote:

          Unless you have a real engineering degree

          I am in the mood for some abuse today... Software Engineering != real engineering ;P

          Gary Kirkham Forever Forgiven and Alive in the Spirit The men said to them, "Why do you seek the living One among the dead? He is not here, but He has risen." Me blog, You read

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          Pierre Leclercq
          wrote on last edited by
          #34

          Gary Kirkham wrote:

          real engineering

          You mean real engineering for real men? The kind Chuck Norris does?

          You can't turn lead into gold, unless you've built yourself a nuclear plant.

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          • T thrakazog

            sharp_k wrote:

            , is it fair?

            No such thing in business.

            sharp_k wrote:

            Is Microsoft so poor

            You don't make money paying people what they are worth. You make money by paying them just enough to keep them coming back for more. Us poor wage slaves seldom appreciate this as we're on the less desirable end of the transaction.

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            sharp_k
            wrote on last edited by
            #35

            you said it well for a small company but not for Microsoft. If you have a nephew/niece who says i have a dream to work for Microsoft. But then you tell him/her, that you will get paid 22$/hr so do you think he/she would still pursue his/her goal? Are we appreciating his/her talent enough? Money does not matter but well it is the appreciate for the talent that you have. And most importantly Microsoft is rich! Their stocks may be down like every one else but money wise they are solid as rock. They have a strong monopology and literally every one is their customer. So well they are rich.

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            • S sharp_k

              you said it well for a small company but not for Microsoft. If you have a nephew/niece who says i have a dream to work for Microsoft. But then you tell him/her, that you will get paid 22$/hr so do you think he/she would still pursue his/her goal? Are we appreciating his/her talent enough? Money does not matter but well it is the appreciate for the talent that you have. And most importantly Microsoft is rich! Their stocks may be down like every one else but money wise they are solid as rock. They have a strong monopology and literally every one is their customer. So well they are rich.

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              Rob Graham
              wrote on last edited by
              #36

              sharp_k wrote:

              And most importantly Microsoft is rich!

              They didn't get that way by paying more than they have to for entry level labor (and won't stay that way if they change).

              sharp_k wrote:

              If you have a nephew/niece who says i have a dream to work for Microsoft.

              I tell them to dream better dreams.

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              • S sharp_k

                you said it well for a small company but not for Microsoft. If you have a nephew/niece who says i have a dream to work for Microsoft. But then you tell him/her, that you will get paid 22$/hr so do you think he/she would still pursue his/her goal? Are we appreciating his/her talent enough? Money does not matter but well it is the appreciate for the talent that you have. And most importantly Microsoft is rich! Their stocks may be down like every one else but money wise they are solid as rock. They have a strong monopology and literally every one is their customer. So well they are rich.

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                thrakazog
                wrote on last edited by
                #37

                sharp_k wrote:

                So well they are rich

                Rich is really beside the point. Weather it's Microsoft or Bob's Hotdog Stand, no business wants to pay more money for employees than they absolutely have to.

                sharp_k wrote:

                Are we appreciating his/her talent enough?

                The $22/hr is how much they appreciate the talents required to do the job offered. If you feel you have talents beyond the requirements you'll need to find a job to match those to be paid for them. You might be a brain surgeon. But unless you're going to be preforming operations while your testing their software don't expect to be paid for the skills you aren't using.

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                • R Rob Graham

                  sharp_k wrote:

                  And most importantly Microsoft is rich!

                  They didn't get that way by paying more than they have to for entry level labor (and won't stay that way if they change).

                  sharp_k wrote:

                  If you have a nephew/niece who says i have a dream to work for Microsoft.

                  I tell them to dream better dreams.

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                  sharp_k
                  wrote on last edited by
                  #38

                  :)

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                  • T thrakazog

                    They do have to pay a hefty amount to import everything. And they can see Russia from their house. :-D

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                    Pierre Leclercq
                    wrote on last edited by
                    #39

                    If the us economy remains bad too long, they might get their way into authorizing offshore drilling. Ouch! :~

                    You can't turn lead into gold, unless you've built yourself a nuclear plant.

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                    • P Pierre Leclercq

                      See this: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Software_engineer[^] It says Texas regulates the use of the term "Software Engineer". And even more, Texas bans anyone from writing real-time code without an engineering license. Well quite nice since they have all this staff working on space related products.

                      You can't turn lead into gold, unless you've built yourself a nuclear plant.

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                      Todd Smith
                      wrote on last edited by
                      #40

                      Pierre Leclercq wrote:

                      http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Software\_engineer\[^\]

                      Only a real engineer could get the mars rover to actually hit its target. ;)

                      Todd Smith

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                      • S sharp_k

                        I just received a call from redmond based recruiter (client microsoft). It was 'software design engineer in test 1' position, with 6 month to 1 year of experience. After asking all the question about my experience, they say the maximum they can offer is 22$/hr with no benifits. Should an engineer be paid that low? Does it look alllright? I know microsoft reputation is not great but but i think it is the agency who is making big here. What do you ppl think? Any such experience. I have been offered such salary ranges before by this company and it seems it is ok.

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                        PIEBALDconsult
                        wrote on last edited by
                        #41

                        Without benefits, that sounds low to me. Fifteen years ago my first real programming job was a three month contact at $40/hr.

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                        • S sharp_k

                          I just received a call from redmond based recruiter (client microsoft). It was 'software design engineer in test 1' position, with 6 month to 1 year of experience. After asking all the question about my experience, they say the maximum they can offer is 22$/hr with no benifits. Should an engineer be paid that low? Does it look alllright? I know microsoft reputation is not great but but i think it is the agency who is making big here. What do you ppl think? Any such experience. I have been offered such salary ranges before by this company and it seems it is ok.

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                          Nish Nishant
                          wrote on last edited by
                          #42

                          The middleman will always take a % cut. Why don't you directly apply at Microsoft? Their pay levels are pretty decent (as far as I've heard).

                          Regards, Nish


                          Nish’s thoughts on MFC, C++/CLI and .NET (my blog)
                          My latest book : C++/CLI in Action / Amazon.com link

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                          • T thrakazog

                            sharp_k wrote:

                            , is it fair?

                            No such thing in business.

                            sharp_k wrote:

                            Is Microsoft so poor

                            You don't make money paying people what they are worth. You make money by paying them just enough to keep them coming back for more. Us poor wage slaves seldom appreciate this as we're on the less desirable end of the transaction.

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                            killabyte
                            wrote on last edited by
                            #43

                            100% :laugh:

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                            • S sharp_k

                              This is what i think but it can be microsoft as well from behind. But my point is should this practice be allowed? It hurts everything, talent, competition and Microsoft itself (if they are not at fault). This is like an indian agency who recruits for microsoft. I am sure they are really hurting competitors but well may be not, my point is, is this practice be allowed?

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                              Iain Clarke Warrior Programmer
                              wrote on last edited by
                              #44

                              sharp_k wrote:

                              But my point is should this practice be allowed?

                              Of course it should be allowed. What's the alternative? Department of Homeland Salaries? On the other hand, you could just laugh at them! I agree with another poster (or yourself) that if this if this is a temp agency placing you at Microsoft, then they would be invoicing for a lot larger number... If you can get more money elsewhere, bin the offer, maybe with a polite No (you might need them later!). If you desperately need a job, then say yes while continuing to look elsewhere. You might see a position at Microsoft as an investment in itself. Maybe you'll impress your coworkers, and end up applying for a real job there. Iain.

                              I have now moved to Sweden for love (awwww). If you're in Scandinavia and want an MVP on the payroll (or happy with a remote worker), or need cotract work done, give me a job! http://cv.imcsoft.co.uk/[^]

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                              • S sharp_k

                                I just received a call from redmond based recruiter (client microsoft). It was 'software design engineer in test 1' position, with 6 month to 1 year of experience. After asking all the question about my experience, they say the maximum they can offer is 22$/hr with no benifits. Should an engineer be paid that low? Does it look alllright? I know microsoft reputation is not great but but i think it is the agency who is making big here. What do you ppl think? Any such experience. I have been offered such salary ranges before by this company and it seems it is ok.

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                                NormDroid
                                wrote on last edited by
                                #45

                                Get more working at Maccie D's. So no.

                                Software Kinetics (requires SL3 beta) - Moving software

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                                • P PIEBALDconsult

                                  Without benefits, that sounds low to me. Fifteen years ago my first real programming job was a three month contact at $40/hr.

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                                  Dave Parker
                                  wrote on last edited by
                                  #46

                                  Really? My first was the equivalent of about $8 an hour, as the only developer maintaining hundreds of legacy apps along with development of new ones (mix of VB6 / C# / C++ / .NET / SQL).

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                                  • D Douglas Troy

                                    Well, actually, most of my co-workers call me: Sir Troy, Slayer of bugs, Destroyer of Windows and Grand Software Master ... but I'm not picky ... Sr Software Developer works too ... so long as they don't forget to kneel first. :-\


                                    :..::. Douglas H. Troy ::..
                                    Bad Astronomy |VCF|wxWidgets|WTL

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                                    Gary Wheeler
                                    wrote on last edited by
                                    #47

                                    I'm less formal. I just have them kiss my ring.

                                    Software Zen: delete this;

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                                    • T Todd Smith

                                      Pierre Leclercq wrote:

                                      http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Software\_engineer\[^\]

                                      Only a real engineer could get the mars rover to actually hit its target. ;)

                                      Todd Smith

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                                      Gary Wheeler
                                      wrote on last edited by
                                      #48

                                      Todd Smith wrote:

                                      Only a real engineer could get the mars rover to actually hit its target.

                                      Only a good engineer could get the mars rover to actually soft-land on its target.

                                      Software Zen: delete this;

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                                      • P Pierre Leclercq

                                        Ennis Ray Lynch, Jr. wrote:

                                        22/hr for 6 months is not 45k a year

                                        Especially without benefits, that looks more like 30k

                                        You can't turn lead into gold, unless you've built yourself a nuclear plant.

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                                        daniilzol
                                        wrote on last edited by
                                        #49

                                        22 * 40 * 52 = 45760 That's for a full year, before taxes, and without any benefits, not even vacations, but it does come to 45K.

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                                        • G Gary Kirkham

                                          Jim Crafton wrote:

                                          Unless you have a real engineering degree

                                          I am in the mood for some abuse today... Software Engineering != real engineering ;P

                                          Gary Kirkham Forever Forgiven and Alive in the Spirit The men said to them, "Why do you seek the living One among the dead? He is not here, but He has risen." Me blog, You read

                                          S Offline
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                                          Seth Dingwell
                                          wrote on last edited by
                                          #50

                                          I guess it's a little off the original topic, but there is no reason that software engineering should not be considered "real" engineering. It's just that (at least in my experience) 90% of the software dev out there is done by unorganized, fly-by-the-seat-of-the-pants organizations with no processes and no rigorous design or testing. Most of the time it's just so easy to make changes that there is no incentive to make sure you get it right the first time. And in those cases, no, I agree that the term "engineer" does not apply in any way. But when software is done with careful planning and processes there is no reason not to consider it engineering. That's my two cents, anyways. And to the original poster, I made 25K my first job out of school with a comp sci degree and I thought it was way too low at the time, but in retrospect getting my foot in the door at the right company and getting the real world experience proved to be a great move. And the real question is how much do you make now and how many other offers do you have? $22/hr is a whole lot better than $0/hr.

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