Software Development vs. Networking

[MrChad]

Originally posted by: Descartes
"Networking" is profoundly boring, and there is a very low ceiling on your earning potential.

Software development gives you the ultimate creative freedom. You have the choice between code monkey, entrepreneur, and everything in between. Those that claim offshoring is a problem don't know what they are talking about and never have; they say the same thing in every single thread. Offshoring has been a problem as long as I've been in the business, yet I am every other talented developer I know has made an incredible income over the past decade, and it's only getting better.

Networking == banal, limit on earning potential, and dealing with the capriciousness of end-users.
Development == creative, no limit on earning potential, and if you enjoy it it's incredibly satisfying.

I agree 100 percent.

There is still a strong demand for talented developers with good communication skills. Having been involved in several projects where some coding work was offshored, I've seen the quality of offshore coding for complex software applications, and it has been mediocre at best.

Play to your strengths, of course, but I find software development far more rewarding than networking.

 

[torpid]

Originally posted by: Descartes

Originally posted by: DaShen

Originally posted by: FoBoT
Software development is the primary target for off shoring

QFT

IBM is already getting oversees Indians to do most of there programming, and trust me these guys are geniouses when it comes to programming. Mostly because they start at a Technical college that solely teaches them programming from a young age, so they are highly skilled at what they do. My friend is part of one programming group at IBM, and he says the oversees Indians in his group are crazy good at programming.

Are you going off actual experience and frequent interaction with these workers, because I'll tell you, my experiences and those of my colleagues definitely doesn't support what you're saying.

I should preface this by saying that I know many talented Indian developers, and many of them are close personal friends. Every project I've been on since ~1997 has had at least a couple of Indian developers, some H1B some not, and all of the larger projects have some offshore component to them.

The notion that all Indian programmers are somehow exceptionally talented/genius is a farce. It's an issue of numbers. Of course those that come here are going to be some of your better talent, becuase otherwise they wouldn't be here. Once you start seeing the product of offshore work you start seeing the poor level of quality that you expect from cheap(er) labor. It's no different than it is here in America, and it's more of an issue of productivity (offshoring can facilitate 24/7 work), cost, and simply finding work.

I work with about 30 H1Bs on a project of over 100 right now, and I lead a first release framework effort that included Russians, Americans, Indians, a Cuban, and even a Venezuelan. I lead an effort for a client with Hexaware doing the actual development as well. I won't hesitate to say that the quality of work from the Russians and Americans (myself included) far, far exceeded the quality of any other group. Communication is part of the problem, but most Indian developers I know have a bit of a heuristic approach to programming; they simply keep hammering at it until it works without concern for the overall quality of their individual work.

I agree 100% with this. I have found that creativity is sorely lacking often. Copy and paste and "if it works, it's good" mentality are really common. Being half-indian myself I can't attribute it to genes. I assume it is the culture of tech over there. In addition to lack of creativity, it is rare that the indians with whom I've worked will continually learn about new ideas and practices. Even if one starts out with technical skills below par, it is easy to surpass them if you just keep learning.

Actually, I might go so far as to say that this is the exact mentality that makes some companies desire them as employees. It's a cynical view, but it seems to me that many companies don't want you to think or do what's best for the client if it contradicts their dinosaur approach. Trying to convince people that refactoring, usability, and modularity are extremely important in a project is like banging your head against a wall in some of these companies. Makes me sympathetic to postal workers who go in guns blazing.

 

[ATLien247]

My advice would be to take some introductory classes in each discipline, and see which one you enjoy most.

In my industry, developers and network admins/engineers generally have very similar salary ranges--it's the project managers that make all the money.

 

[Ameesh]

Originally posted by: Descartes
"Networking" is profoundly boring, and there is a very low ceiling on your earning potential.

Software development gives you the ultimate creative freedom. You have the choice between code monkey, entrepreneur, and everything in between. Those that claim offshoring is a problem don't know what they are talking about and never have; they say the same thing in every single thread. Offshoring has been a problem as long as I've been in the business, yet I am every other talented developer I know has made an incredible income over the past decade, and it's only getting better.

Networking == banal, limit on earning potential, and dealing with the capriciousness of end-users.
Development == creative, no limit on earning potential, and if you enjoy it it's incredibly satisfying.

once again i agree with Descartes again.

 

[crabbyman]

Ok...now this is discussion!

Anyways...I am going to start with the 2 year program and then work on different certifications as I go since there is no limit to the tuition reimbursement while I work here.

I am currently working for a county governmental agency. I would like to work my way up to state agency to retain the retirement package and security of the position.

If not that I would like to get into this company....
http://www.teamnorthwoods.com/web/home.aspx
They work with the state of Ohio on digital imaging and I like thier ethics and attitude to their work. I have worked with them for about 2 years now. I was chosen as the grunt/go to between the two entities and I have become interested in working with them.

One of the guys has an English degree and is working for them. He learned programming as he went along.
This company is growing fast..they just signed on 14 more counties in Ohio for their projects.

In general..my thoughts are this...
Networking...would be a shoe in for the state work.
Software..would be working toward work for a private business such as Northwoods.

 

[kalster]

Originally posted by: beyonddc
Software development is much more fun than doing networking.

 

[tfinch2]

Originally posted by: kalster

Originally posted by: beyonddc
Software development is much more fun than doing networking.

QFT!