Quote:
Originally Posted by Herbalist  1) I wish I had known about constant overtimes, extra-hours, "deathmarches", headaches, red eyes, caffeine and other "specifics" of this profession.
2) "Don't do it!!!!"
3) No. I've quit. |
These pitfalls exist and are significant -- but are far from universal or inevitable.
Software development has been incredibly good to me overall. I had a rough patch earlier this decade for about 3 years (a combination of the dot-crash downdraft and simultaneous restrictions and stresses connected with my wife's fatal illness). That's not bad for a 25 year career. In fact it's not really significant.
Of course I have always been an independent contractor, and I eventually learned to lose my problem / unreasonable / a__hole customers even if they paid me a premium.
Within software development there are things I absolutely love to the point I'd do them for free if I didn't need to eat. And there are things I detest. But it's such a huge, sprawling, growing field, that I have done okay sticking with my strengths and interests.
The main problems I've had is keeping up with technological progress, which is made worse than it needs to be by the mindless fascination with all things new that so many decision makers have; and offshoring. I have managed those challenges by becoming indispensable in the niches I know well, and by sticking to things that are difficult to exploit hapless third world minions over: things that require intimate cultural awareness, finesse with clients or their customers, and other things that sweat shops can't provide.
Independent consulting has its ups and downs but at no time in the past 15 years have I made less than $60K and I would be embarrassed to tell you what the top end was for two and a half years. I was blessed to be able to do this all without selling my soul. And virtually all from home -- just 4 days on site and a couple of lunch meetings all last year. I'm debt free except for the 9 years or so left on my mortgage. I was slow to save for retirement and I'll have to scramble a bit on that ... but if I had to quit working today, I would not go cold or hungry, either.
I think you gave up too soon ;-) Or, it just may not have been suited to you. It's not a job for a glad-handing extroverted big-picture kind of person, for instance. It requires above average attention to detail and an intuitive knack for correctly identifying problems and the most effective way to solve them -- often with limited resources. And if you can step out of that mode and still deal with customers in useful and non-intimidating ways, that's a HUGE plus.
Being a Brainiac doesn't hurt, but it's over-rated. Common sense and an understanding of business realities is more important. And a love of the craft -- and the heart of a craftsman -- is the MOST important.
--Bob