Mark:
I agree that we won't see the extreme demand for Java programmers again like we did in the 1990's. However, I would like to see the market bounce back to the point where experienced Java programmers can bounce from one region of the country to the other - given a little effort on the job search part.
Right now - US$70K for a Java programmer with 3 yrs experience & MS-Comp Sci degree is considered pretty good wages.
However, I wonder if it's really worth the effort to get the MS-CS degree and put in the kind of effort necessary to learn the
J2EE model, and become a mid-level Java programmer. For only US$70K/yr.
I say only - becuase myself and the other 2 Java guys here put in another 1 to 3 hours a day hitting up the books - outside of work. I study more now than I did in college.
I think I would want to put my talents towards studying something that will generate additional (not just maintain) my current income level.
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I am at the point in my life where I have too much invested in this field to just up and change careers.
But for the new person going to college - is computer science going to be worth the effort? Meaning, are the rewards worth the cost?
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I would hope that we see salaries back in the US$90K for mid-level Java programmers - but doubt that will happen (if ever) for quite a while.
Right now, I am grabbing some decent $$, but would hate to see the salaries if I had to go back into the job market again.
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I think an argument you could make - would be to switch to a new technology.
Personally, I am banking on XML-Web Services, along with WebSphere Application Developer and Webshere itself to keep me employed for the next 4 or 5 yrs. Fortunately, this all sits onto of Java/J2EE so I can continue to leverage my existing skill-set.
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A little off topic but here goes:
Getting back to different skill-sets. Am headed up to Syracuse, NY in March to look at a weekend nursing school. They are only place in USA (that
I have found) that offers weekend clinical (hospital experience).
All other programs that I have looked into want you to do weekday clinicals - or do weekend clinicals with weekday classes. And these are located more towards the east coast --- to far to
just go for an evening class.
Getting back to the Syracuse, NY program. Classes are every other weekend. Would have to fly from Evansville, IN to Syracuse, NY for clinicals. Cost is around $230-$250 round trip.
But, I think it's something I cam going to pursue.
They have orientation/counseling w/admissions folks in March - so I am making an trip up there
to see what's all involved.
Will be fun doing this, and trying to hold onto the Java position.
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Will have to create an online journal - like those guys that bike across USA. Would certainly break the monotony of cube life up.
A lot of ideas.
John Coxey
(jpcoxey@aol.com)