patrick.net

The only people benefitting from most graduate programs are the professors in the department.

EDIT: Since you asked about the job market, I'll tell it's pretty good right now. If you know enough T-SQL or PL/SQL to write reasonably complicated queries, and you can find work. There are ETL projects everywhere these days.

C# or VB never hurt. ASP is nearly dead, though.

Well, I shoulda gone into something that made more money than Social Work. I really wish that I was supposed to be something else, but I'm supposed to be a social worker as far as I can tell. I don't want to save the world - just help some people - but I sure wish it paid more. :)

EastCoastBubbleBoy says

For what it's worth I do have some experience with database administration (proficient in Microsoft Access...don't laugh) I know a little bit of SQL. I can program in Visual Basic (no I never had to learn C++) and know a little HTML, including some .asp scripting (is that even used anymore). Of course all if this is self taught - not formalized, but its self evident that I'm not self taught in the right languages to make me marketable if I were to try and change careers at some point.

That's more than most CS grads knows... SERIOUSLY!!!

I'm self taught, I started working as a bench tech within 3 months of getting my first computer in 1996, with my interest in computers piqued by all of the hullabaloo about Windows '95 at the time. I started working for a company that bartered half pay and a computer for a tile gig I did for them, as a benchtech. I lifted one of the OEM Office 6.0 packs that came with the computers he sold. As well as a copy of VB 4 then 5, and taught my self how to program at nights and on week ends. About a year latter I got a job at a small company as the all around IT guy, Data integrator, Network admin, email admin, and Software developer. I wasn't making the big bucks and was only making as much as I was in a not so good year doing carpet and tile. Those three years along with the MSDN Universal subscription, served me better than any 4 year degree would have, that I would still be paying on today.

That's why I'm no longer an Electrical Engineer, I got tired of being unemployed or about to be unemployed all the time. That got really old after 10 years! That and the pay sucked.

Yeah but as an electrical engineer can't you invent or design your own circuits and or devices?

That's where my head would be if I had those skills, working for the Man sucks, regardless what field you're in.

Go into banking, you'll make millions without lifting a finger.

You can become a realtor too, if you don't mind making some sort of a pact with a devil.

Working's for suckers, when Ole Bernie gets in there, we'll all be walking down easy street wearing penny loafers without a care in the world.

ECBB,

Hope all is well. It seems like software engineers currently rule the Silicon Valley. I have been out of the work force for almost 6 years now so I'm clueless on what's really going on out there. Instead of going to work every morning, I spend my morning sitting at home and thinking of ways to generate more wealth for myself and future generations.

Your comment about the road less traveled reminds me of this saying "Entrepreneurship is living a few years of your life like most people won't so you can spend the rest of your life like most people can't." Most people take the safe road by going to school, trying to get a good job after graduated and ending up working for others and making their bosses' dreams become a reality. Thus, I don't consider going into a minority field to be a road less traveled. Just my opinion of course.

EastCoastBubbleBoy says

I have an advanced degree in Chemical Engineering.

Does that degree allow you to drive a Pontiac Aztek while wearing a pork pie hat? Much more lucrative than software engineering...

zzyzzx says

I got tired of being unemployed or about to be unemployed all the time

As an EE I'm surprised staying employed was such a challenge. Thankfully I have 15+ years (more or less) fully employed. Also two P.E. licenses to cover areas I've worked in. Don't get me wrong, I'm not crying poor - I just think that there's a disconnect between what I'm earning and what I could be earning (long term) if I switch gears. I'm not quite ready to go back and start over from square one - but the idea does have some merit. If nothing else it's a good plan B... or perhaps plan C as I could always strike out on my own as a consultant given my wide range of experience.

How IS the job market for engineers these days? I really have no feel for what's really out there and I don't trust much of the salary data that's out there. (I read it on the web... it has to be true!)

software engineering. Pretty much every company in this world would love some code to solve some of their many business problems. The possibilities of coding and the problem it can solve are limited only by capability.

For example, Uber's taxi calling platform for the customer and driver is a brilliant piece of software yet there is so much more potential to make it better.

SFace says

For example, Uber's taxi calling platform for the customer and driver is a brilliant piece of software yet there is so much more potential to make it better.

Uber is not Taxi.
But Uber software can't erase municipal laws and transportation regulations around the country.
Broward just threw them out of the county, Miami Dade just did the same last month.

At first I was a little sympathetic to them, but then I heard them speak(the Uber drivers).
They were like...

"Well if the Cab drivers would spend a little money to upgrade their Taxis, then people would want to ride in them..."

When the reality is the Cab drivers have spent 10's of thousands of dollars just to be licensed to drive the car they are driving. They can't just change cars like their underwear, then would have to pay fees on the new car was well. I would have liked to have heard Uber say, "Well it's time to do away with all these regulations that prohibit honest hard working people from making a living. Uber is proof that Taxi companies should NOT be so heavily burdened by local and higher governments. "
But they honestly believe that only Uber drivers should have special treatment where they make a ton of money but the city doesn't treat them like a business.