Quote (josh2234 @ Oct 10 2014 05:32am)
Even with a degree finding a job that pay's say 70 k + is still really hard. My father worked as a computer programmer since the early 1980's and when the 2008 crisis hit, he finally lost his job.
With his degree and like close to 30 years experience he couldn't find another job(that at least paid him even close to what he made before)
Making tons of money in life is not really that simple man, or everyone would be rich... which in simple economic terms is impossible.
i agree that finding a 70k+ entry level job is difficult. but not for a real programming with 5+ years experience.
for the programming field, at his age you're either a contractor or in management. if he intended to stay technical, he needs to keep up with the market. i see a lot of "programmers" who do it solely as a job. when they get home, they don't touch it again. if he's that kind of person, it's very risky if you stick with a company that works on really old technologies.
one of two things happened to him: 1) he's the kind of person listed above, or 2) he's too proud to accept lower pay. the field's been good for a long time. sure, he might not be getting 150k+, but he should easily get 100k+ now if he's kept up with current technologies. he might have to adjust his lifestyle. trade in the car for a civic, move to a cheaper house, etc.
/edit: my dad was also a programmer, and i remember him learning things at least several hours a week at home, always trying to keep up with the latest technology. i'm also a programmer, and i'm learning things right now at home.
This post was edited by carteblanche on Oct 10 2014 07:27pm