CNN/MONEY reports best job in America: Software Engineer

[DaveJ]

Just heard this on TV and went to the source, http://money.cnn.com/popups/2006/moneymag/bestjobs/frameset.exclude.html.

From CNN:

"There's such a huge need for software engineers right now. It's a job that has a lot of flexibility in that it's in every location including working from home. It's not too stressful and it is a job where you can get into it with a bachelor's degree. Also pays very well."

Okay well apparently I'm just a idiot because nobody will hire me -- but how can they, when they won't even acknowledge I exist?? It's not like I'm screwing up interviews because I've never been asked for an interview. I've had an intense passion for programming since I was 16 years old when I would spend my time programming an Apple II in machine language while everyone else was out partying, got a computer science degree, and a master's in telecommunications (the kind related to media and communications, just to diversify and bit). Now I never get so much as a response from anyone besides an occasional headhunter for a 3-6 month contract job that usually is more like tech support and not related to software development.

I admit, I currently am not big on certifications or joining interest groups, but that's only because I spend my spare time programming on my own technical projects. If I get a job I might then get a certification in the area in which I'm employed but don't see any point focusing on one thing before I get a job. Moreover, how many employed software engineers actually enjoy it so much that they do in in their spare time? I can tell you, none that I ever met. Meanwhile I enjoy it, do it in my spare time, and won't even be considered for an interview. Go figure. :shrug:

Any advice? What's the deal, is Money Magazine and CNN lying?


Edit: Just noticed, Money Magazine gave the career a low grade of C in the 'ease of entry' category, so they are not lying. CNN however is lying with their above 'there is a huge need' statement.

[BrklynLiberal]

1. When one sends out resumes nowadays, they don't even bother to

have the decency to acknowledge receiving them.
It is a horrible market out there for IT, and I guess for most jobs.

I can remember when being in IT meant writng your own ticket, and choosing between several job offers. But that was then, and this is now.

[DaveJ]

2. Who do I believe then...

Is CNN and Money magazine just blatantly lying? Or maybe these peoples' jobs are so secure that they can make horrendous mistakes and not have to face any consequence. What's the point of having news if they continue reporting factually incorrect stories?

[Nay]

3. Unfortunately for you, the truth or falsity of an article has nothing

to do with whether it gets printed or not. Only the potential of the piece to induce a person to buy the magazine/paper is considered when an editor looks to publish or not publish an article. Generally, the article can't be in-your-face lies (MIT Starts Lab on Moon, etc.) but lots of dreck gets published just to put a rosy glow on this sector or that industry. Or to trash that sector or this industry. So, folks like you who look to the trade mags for direction start to feel like they are living in Bizarro World.

Oh, and the point of "news," since about 25 years ago, is to sell advertising to consumers. Period. Gone are the days when the news was a public service in the public interest.

[FloridaPat]

4. You probably have the wrong color passport. Those blue USA

passports label you as a high paid person. You need an Indian passport which says you will work for very little money.

It took 2 years for me to get another IT job. The last 2 gigs I was on, one was 50% Indian and the other was 75% foreigners. One was a state university job and the other a local gov't job. Nice to see the USA backing it's own people - not.