4 ms·

While I'm aware and fully agree with your University of Phoenix pitch, please try to listen and understand that's only true given the right context ( both econo

While I'm aware and fully agree with your University of Phoenix pitch, please try to listen and understand that's only true given the right context ( both economic, social, time, etc. ) Most people sit at an office in front of a computer for at least 8 hours a day, some of them are developers. Most "problems" they "solve" are very distant from the "Changing the World and give meaning to your life, one PHP line at a time". It's a great gig, but a sad life when you'll look back on your deathbed.

deleted 7y ago
[deleted]
blankcheque 7y ago
I'm not sure where you're working but where I work, being a developer is awesome. Fresh, healthy, high quality, free food catered for 3 meals a day? Check. Best healthcare possible provided at no cost? Check. Stocked kitchen with all kinds of snacks, high end coffee, kombucha etc with ability to make requests? Check. Freedom to come in when I want and leave when I want? Check. Work remotely when I want? Check. Any equipment I want at any cost? Check. Top of market pay for size of company? Check. Beautiful office with natural sunlight, plants everywhere, and fresh air? Check. Autonomy and creativity in my role? Check. Top percentile talent as coworkers who are genuinely amazing collaborators, interesting people and great to work with? Check. Like with all professions, there are depressing jobs and great jobs. If you're a dev working at a paper mill in the midwest with draconian dinosaurs as management, yeah it might not be the best gig. But if you work at a company that values software and understands the leverage of great developers, then I can't think of a job that's more cushy and fulfilling.
- dobleo 7y ago
  What you say is that for you all those benefits outweigh the actual fact of sitting in front of computer all day. It's hard to give them all up, that's true.
  - blankcheque 7y ago
    Could you imagine working retail where you have to be on your feet hours a day with no break? You have no choice. I get to sit or stand when I want (I have a motorized, adjustable standing desk). I can go for a run mid-day if I want. I can hit the gym if I want. I have any number of options. If I choose to sit in front of the computer all day, that's usually MY fault (but to be fair sometimes there's a launch date looming that results in me working extra). It's all about choice. I have that. Many professions don't.
  - dsq 7y ago
    When I was younger with no profession I tried painting houses and waiting tables. Now *those^ are hard. Programming is paradise compared. Fun, challenging and comfortable.
therealx 7y ago
I understand if being indoors isn't for you, but programming can categorically be the highest paid job with the lowest requirements physically. When I need is an internet connection and a laptop, it allowed me to do things like live out of an RV full time traveling, or flying to different cities, or being able to spend more time with my family/friends while we are all healthy. I go to my family reunion and out of 5 of us in the same age bracket, everyone else has to rush back to their jobs in 2 or 3 days, whereas I can spend the full week with the "old folks" - that's time I can't get back. Am I changing the world with my code? No, not really. Am I helping people in turn work less while still getting to solve increasingly harder problems? Yes. I can only think of a few other professions that would keep me as happy, and none offer the reward/effort level of this. Maybe the one difference is I started with computers out of a love for problem solving, not for the other things I said. Those are just a nice side benefit I now won't give up now that I'm older by a bit. University of Phoenix pitch, it is not.

deleted 7y ago

[deleted]

blankcheque 7y ago

I'm not sure where you're working but where I work, being a developer is awesome. Fresh, healthy, high quality, free food catered for 3 meals a day? Check. Best healthcare possible provided at no cost? Check. Stocked kitchen with all kinds of snacks, high end coffee, kombucha etc with ability to make requests? Check. Freedom to come in when I want and leave when I want? Check. Work remotely when I want? Check. Any equipment I want at any cost? Check. Top of market pay for size of company? Check. Beautiful office with natural sunlight, plants everywhere, and fresh air? Check. Autonomy and creativity in my role? Check. Top percentile talent as coworkers who are genuinely amazing collaborators, interesting people and great to work with? Check. Like with all professions, there are depressing jobs and great jobs. If you're a dev working at a paper mill in the midwest with draconian dinosaurs as management, yeah it might not be the best gig. But if you work at a company that values software and understands the leverage of great developers, then I can't think of a job that's more cushy and fulfilling.

dobleo 7y ago
What you say is that for you all those benefits outweigh the actual fact of sitting in front of computer all day. It's hard to give them all up, that's true.
- blankcheque 7y ago
  Could you imagine working retail where you have to be on your feet hours a day with no break? You have no choice. I get to sit or stand when I want (I have a motorized, adjustable standing desk). I can go for a run mid-day if I want. I can hit the gym if I want. I have any number of options. If I choose to sit in front of the computer all day, that's usually MY fault (but to be fair sometimes there's a launch date looming that results in me working extra). It's all about choice. I have that. Many professions don't.
- dsq 7y ago
  When I was younger with no profession I tried painting houses and waiting tables. Now *those^ are hard. Programming is paradise compared. Fun, challenging and comfortable.

therealx 7y ago

I understand if being indoors isn't for you, but programming can categorically be the highest paid job with the lowest requirements physically. When I need is an internet connection and a laptop, it allowed me to do things like live out of an RV full time traveling, or flying to different cities, or being able to spend more time with my family/friends while we are all healthy. I go to my family reunion and out of 5 of us in the same age bracket, everyone else has to rush back to their jobs in 2 or 3 days, whereas I can spend the full week with the "old folks" - that's time I can't get back. Am I changing the world with my code? No, not really. Am I helping people in turn work less while still getting to solve increasingly harder problems? Yes. I can only think of a few other professions that would keep me as happy, and none offer the reward/effort level of this. Maybe the one difference is I started with computers out of a love for problem solving, not for the other things I said. Those are just a nice side benefit I now won't give up now that I'm older by a bit. University of Phoenix pitch, it is not.