programming career

how many of you make a living out of programming?

how much is your salary a year?

I've been programming since I was 8 (Started with BASIC on a C16 16K /w a Tape Drive - Power User!!!)

But I've been programming professionally (as a career) for the past 5 years. It's a great and secure job field and I love it.

As for pay, it's never enough, but I'm not complaining (too much) either, the big bucks are in freelancing and consulting.

I've been programming for 2+ years, i'm 16, and recently aquired a programming position wich pays based on # of, and extent of projects in a certain time. But i don't complain as long as my software is actually being used by someone other than me.

:)
Laterz,
D!m

I have been earning by way of programming for the past 1.5 to 2 years. As far as salary is concerned, well ....

My boss is looking over my shoulder, ****!.....

I love to program...but by the way you all have responded to the question makes me think the pay isnt even enough to survive on??

Is this true??

Not at all. Look at it this way Sophtware, no matter how much you make, it's never enough ;-}.

You got the impression that the pay isn't enough to survive on? Well listen to this true story. A man who had finished high school slacked off, smoked up and drank booze for 6 years then decided he needed to do something with his life. So he got a degree in computer science and now he's making 400 grand (that's 400,000) a year.

Of course not everyone's pay is like that, but if you work hard enough, might suprise yourself.

The pays are really good.. What they probably mean that they're not getting paid enough for their work. But trust me you can make a good living out of it. I applied for a job here in Miami, FL (USA), where they were paying you 45 dollars an hour (Visual Basic Programming). But unfortunately someone else got there before I did. But anyways, that's just an example. If I had that job I'd be happy, cause I don't want to work for $5.15 in pizza hut.. if u see what i mean?

45/HR!!!!!!??? Damn!! that sounds awesome...i could like totally pay of my bills with that kind of salary..
hehe but who well someday if i work hard at it eh?

While someone brought on this kind of thread again, i would like to know what degrees/classes can be looked at when preparing for a job in the vb programming field.


Thanx,
D!m


[Edited by Dim on 07-29-2000 at 03:46 PM]

I want to make a living out of a programming career. But unfortunately, my Uncle hasn't given me any money, and I have to work at good ol' McDonalds :p.

I'm not going to college, or at least, I don't think I am, but I do hope, after high skool, that I can get into a good computer school. I want to take classes on reparing computers and programming.

Im only 14, but heck, why not start now. WHere can I get more opperotunities? I got 1 from a camp, but I don't know any others, what classes are good? What books?

I am currently attending Computer Learning Center (CLC) and taking their computer and internet programming course. I'm not sure how the job prospects will be after graduation but I have learned alot. Considering I did not get my first computer until 1996 and had no previous programming experience whatsoever. I have had two classes of VB and two of C++. Half the time is spent learning theory the other half of the time is spent in lab putting that theory to practice. I feel comfortable with both languages but I am persuing VB more intensively. Granted, I have only entry level skills but you have to start somewhere.

I have been programming professionally since October of 1997. When March 3, 2001 rolls around I will finally have my CIS degree. I started out doing Micro Focus Cobol (yeah, Cobol, but at least it's not on the mainframe) then went to work on the mainframes ( a 23 year old among many much older folks ) and now am finally, finally getting back to client/server development with Visual Basic, Oracle, and Access.

An older, wiser person gave me this advice which I am trying to follow : Throughout your career, try a little taste of EVERYTHING. Do some procedural programming like C, some OO like Java/C++, some Microsoft stuff like VB, VC++, and perhaps even get a working knowledge of ye olde mainframes.
It's tough to get into jobs encompassing all of those languages especially with employers being so into "skillsets" instead of good, hardworking employees who are eager to learn. It's not impossible though. Do volunteer work if necessary. Keep learning! That was the gist of his advice and it makes sense to me.

What is the best type of degree to take if you want a career in programming? Computer Science, Computer Systems or Software Development? Any others I should consider?

laterz

REM

This is a old question but whats the diffrence between degree in Computer Science, information technology and computer studies?