4 ms·

> “what do you like about your job?” For software development, normal people will just assume it's money and probably not even ask...

pwdisswordfishq 2mo ago
They would not even be wrong.
- binary0010 2mo ago
  Yeah seems like most programmers just do it for the money. I imagine only like 20% of us do it just because we enjoy it.
  - geodel 2mo ago
    I'd just say there are scores of people who like programing. But that's about it.
  - axus 2mo ago
    I feel like the number is higher for software work where I'm at, and lower for every other profession. Scary when you think that your doctor is in it for the money
    - SoftTalker 2mo ago
      You can be a software developer without any formal training and without any licensure. Not so for an MD. It's going to attract more people who have the mentality of artists or musicians, i.e. people who do it for the love of the craft and as a creative outlet.
      - ventana 2mo ago
        > You can be a software developer without ... any licensure. Don't jinx it. We are extremely lucky in this regard, and it actually looks like a rare exception.
    - inanutshellus 2mo ago
      hopefully the MD that passes all the tests is still worth his salt even if he only chose the profession for the paycheck. but as one of the nearby professors is famous for saying: "C students gotta go somewhere." ( and since this is HN - he didn't mean the programming language :D )
    - nkrisc 2mo ago
      There are plenty of easier ways to make money than becoming a doctor.
      - Marsymars 2mo ago
        They tend to be higher risk though. If you've got the capacity for memorizing all the stuff you need to become a doctor, there's not much risk involved in attaining your doctor salary.
    - forshaper 2mo ago
      idk, a lot of American doctors I've met seemed to be in it because they like school and stability. Though perhaps a similar scary.
  - BoredomIsFun 2mo ago
    True. I like math and CS theory, but despise coding (pays well though). AI is finally taking over this soul-sucking occupation and all I can say - good riddance.
    - binary0010 2mo ago
      It's an awesome profession for those of us who love it. Tbf coding with ai is still super fun though. I am hoping that engs who hate it like you will finally get kicked out as productivity increases from ai and it will finally go back to just us nerds. It's kinda soul-sucking being around all you guys that just hate this work, please get out and go do farming or something lol.
      - BoredomIsFun 2mo ago
        > It's an awesome profession for those of us who love it. Yes, by definition of "love" and "awesome". > Tbf coding with ai is still super fun though. Agree, it could be entertaining. > I am hoping that engs who hate it like you will finally get kicked out Ain't gonna happen, as I am pretty good at it. > please get out and go do farming or something lol. I thought about, but it is not well paid. I make money mostly from investments though, still do occasional coding stuff - for money.
doctorpangloss 2mo ago
For mathematicians in the US, it's because their parents like money.

pwdisswordfishq 2mo ago

They would not even be wrong.

binary0010 2mo ago
Yeah seems like most programmers just do it for the money. I imagine only like 20% of us do it just because we enjoy it.
- geodel 2mo ago
  I'd just say there are scores of people who like programing. But that's about it.
- axus 2mo ago
  I feel like the number is higher for software work where I'm at, and lower for every other profession. Scary when you think that your doctor is in it for the money
  - SoftTalker 2mo ago
    You can be a software developer without any formal training and without any licensure. Not so for an MD. It's going to attract more people who have the mentality of artists or musicians, i.e. people who do it for the love of the craft and as a creative outlet.
    - ventana 2mo ago
      > You can be a software developer without ... any licensure. Don't jinx it. We are extremely lucky in this regard, and it actually looks like a rare exception.
  - inanutshellus 2mo ago
    hopefully the MD that passes all the tests is still worth his salt even if he only chose the profession for the paycheck. but as one of the nearby professors is famous for saying: "C students gotta go somewhere." ( and since this is HN - he didn't mean the programming language :D )
  - nkrisc 2mo ago
    There are plenty of easier ways to make money than becoming a doctor.
    - Marsymars 2mo ago
      They tend to be higher risk though. If you've got the capacity for memorizing all the stuff you need to become a doctor, there's not much risk involved in attaining your doctor salary.
  - forshaper 2mo ago
    idk, a lot of American doctors I've met seemed to be in it because they like school and stability. Though perhaps a similar scary.
- BoredomIsFun 2mo ago
  True. I like math and CS theory, but despise coding (pays well though). AI is finally taking over this soul-sucking occupation and all I can say - good riddance.
  - binary0010 2mo ago
    It's an awesome profession for those of us who love it. Tbf coding with ai is still super fun though. I am hoping that engs who hate it like you will finally get kicked out as productivity increases from ai and it will finally go back to just us nerds. It's kinda soul-sucking being around all you guys that just hate this work, please get out and go do farming or something lol.
    - BoredomIsFun 2mo ago
      > It's an awesome profession for those of us who love it. Yes, by definition of "love" and "awesome". > Tbf coding with ai is still super fun though. Agree, it could be entertaining. > I am hoping that engs who hate it like you will finally get kicked out Ain't gonna happen, as I am pretty good at it. > please get out and go do farming or something lol. I thought about, but it is not well paid. I make money mostly from investments though, still do occasional coding stuff - for money.

doctorpangloss 2mo ago

For mathematicians in the US, it's because their parents like money.