4 ms·

That's odd, because when I graduated CS I myself spent a year unemployed as did many of my peers (some of which who wound up going into other fields entirely).

That's odd, because when I graduated CS I myself spent a year unemployed as did many of my peers (some of which who wound up going into other fields entirely). From people who graduated after me (in particular 2008 and beyond) they talk of even longer unemployment and even worse prospects. Unless you work in a niche area it is damn hard out there.

learn 14y ago
Well, did it have anything to do with you or your peers? As a "new" CS student(I am mid twenties) I have seen plenty of people who clearly do not appear to belong in CS. Just pure attitude about it makes it clear, usually it is that they do not want to learn(skipping assignments, doing work before class, etc.). Not that this is something that applies to you or your peers, but it is something I find important as a core motivation to learn and succeed. However, I do find it easy to blame the market. I also find it commonly used as a scapegoat for those struggling to find a job.
btian 14y ago
I can only speak for myself, but as what andrewem also mentioned, I have been getting emails from recruiters too albeit at a lower frequency of about once a week. I got my current job 6 months before graduation. Won't call C++ a niche area. I don't know where you are, but have you considered moving to a place with more developer jobs?
- UnoriginalGuy 14y ago
  I have considered it but the cost of living is a fair bit higher (e.g. London). So we're talking about a 20% cost of living increase. Even the jobs coming out of London aren't that good. My current job is better than most. As I said there is a lot of unemployed programmers around here and competition remains tight. A lot of people got thrown out when a bunch of service and or financial companies went bust, and they've been stealing all of the interesting or well compensated work.
petercooper 14y ago
You mentioned London so I'm guessing you're in the UK? From my POV, the US and UK markets are chalk and cheese right now. The UK is still sorely in the duldrums with lower salaries and opportunities (especially outside of London.) The US certainly has it far better for programmers right now.

learn 14y ago

Well, did it have anything to do with you or your peers? As a "new" CS student(I am mid twenties) I have seen plenty of people who clearly do not appear to belong in CS. Just pure attitude about it makes it clear, usually it is that they do not want to learn(skipping assignments, doing work before class, etc.). Not that this is something that applies to you or your peers, but it is something I find important as a core motivation to learn and succeed. However, I do find it easy to blame the market. I also find it commonly used as a scapegoat for those struggling to find a job.

btian 14y ago

I can only speak for myself, but as what andrewem also mentioned, I have been getting emails from recruiters too albeit at a lower frequency of about once a week. I got my current job 6 months before graduation. Won't call C++ a niche area. I don't know where you are, but have you considered moving to a place with more developer jobs?

UnoriginalGuy 14y ago
I have considered it but the cost of living is a fair bit higher (e.g. London). So we're talking about a 20% cost of living increase. Even the jobs coming out of London aren't that good. My current job is better than most. As I said there is a lot of unemployed programmers around here and competition remains tight. A lot of people got thrown out when a bunch of service and or financial companies went bust, and they've been stealing all of the interesting or well compensated work.

petercooper 14y ago

You mentioned London so I'm guessing you're in the UK? From my POV, the US and UK markets are chalk and cheese right now. The UK is still sorely in the duldrums with lower salaries and opportunities (especially outside of London.) The US certainly has it far better for programmers right now.