4 ms·

This may be familiar by now but developers are very lucky. I left computers to move to investments, make 500k+/year but I envy the stability and choices that d

by throwaway202202 5y ago

This may be familiar by now but developers are very lucky. I left computers to move to investments, make 500k+/year but I envy the stability and choices that developers have. If I lost my job tomorrow it is not clear I could find another similar job. You have lots of options. It looks like the situation will remain this way during our lifetimes (you never know), but you should at least appreciate it.

dogman144 5y ago
Great take. I turned down a path into finance to go computers, and did so to target the reverse of what you notice. Few other jobs offer pay and stability similar to a Dr. or Lawyer without the working hours and with geo-flexibilty. Few other jobs offer a shot at a massive personal liquidity event without the direct exposure to a recession like in finance. Few other jobs offer this pay for what's basically a trade without a tough physical lifestyle like working in O&G. If more "normal" people went into engineering, as in the normal white collar types who are smart but go into MBAs/MDs instead, I think we'd see interesting social impacts as more people discover that you can do flavors of digital nomad work without being the stereotypical tech bro. I think this is just starting to happen with MBAs who go into TPM roles. Eng paths re-enanble lifestyles that I feel were lost post-1970 for much of the general working population. Now, you can live and work nearly anywhere. No requirements to suck it up in Cleveland, NYC, whatever for the kids because of good schools and a good local white collar job. If you want to pack up and go to Europe, you can grab a visa from big US tech there, or small startups. Just meet the right recruiter. Wild stuff.
dboreham 5y ago
I think this means that your compensation reflects the cost to your employer should you decide to quit.

4 ms·

This may be familiar by now but developers are very lucky. I left computers to move to investments, make 500k+/year but I envy the stability and choices that d

by throwaway202202 5y ago

dogman144 5y ago
Great take. I turned down a path into finance to go computers, and did so to target the reverse of what you notice. Few other jobs offer pay and stability similar to a Dr. or Lawyer without the working hours and with geo-flexibilty. Few other jobs offer a shot at a massive personal liquidity event without the direct exposure to a recession like in finance. Few other jobs offer this pay for what's basically a trade without a tough physical lifestyle like working in O&G. If more "normal" people went into engineering, as in the normal white collar types who are smart but go into MBAs/MDs instead, I think we'd see interesting social impacts as more people discover that you can do flavors of digital nomad work without being the stereotypical tech bro. I think this is just starting to happen with MBAs who go into TPM roles. Eng paths re-enanble lifestyles that I feel were lost post-1970 for much of the general working population. Now, you can live and work nearly anywhere. No requirements to suck it up in Cleveland, NYC, whatever for the kids because of good schools and a good local white collar job. If you want to pack up and go to Europe, you can grab a visa from big US tech there, or small startups. Just meet the right recruiter. Wild stuff.
dboreham 5y ago
I think this means that your compensation reflects the cost to your employer should you decide to quit.