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  • From: Diana Duncan <art2mis AT nc.rr.com>
  • To: "Internetworkers: http://www.ibiblio.org/internetworkers/" <internetworkers AT lists.ibiblio.org>
  • Subject: Re: [internetworkers] textile workers of the future?
  • Date: Sat, 5 Apr 2003 10:50:59 -0500

That was exactly what I was about to write. How will recent college graduates or career changers ever get the experience to move up? And if most of the more senior level positions are overseas, who will be there to mentor the junior programmers? I already started seeing this problem when I moved down here, and especially since the tech slow-down...companies want people with more years of experience in certain technologies than those technologies have actually been in existence. :) And the candidates must also be able to bake a loaf of perfect sourdough bread in one day as well.

Michael Czeiszperger had some excellent points. I'd like to add that part of the blame must be taken by those of us who perfected the art of working remotely, or from home. Over the past five years I've been on many projects where I worked remotely without any problems, for clients on and offshore. Once a company has figured out how to do this, then it just doesn't matter where the talent is. On my current contract, I interface with people in Cleveland, Chicago and Sweden. They shipped me a laptop with the software, gave me an idea of what they wanted, gave me access to the VPN, and away I went. Now, one reason I can do that *is* that I have 14 years of experience and require pretty much no supervision, but with a well-designed system with small and frequent deliverables, you could do it with kids fresh out of school.

Now, where you still need some hands-on presence is in troubleshooting, software configuration and administration (sometimes), hardware and software installation, software design for a particular industry, etc. This is why I spent a year on the road as an Oracle Apps DBA. Not pleasant, but boy did I earn lots of frequent flyer miles! Especially after 9/11!

I guess this is why Craig and I are working on our own software product. The first jobs we are creating are for ourselves. Wish us luck, and we may be able to employ some of you in the future!

On Friday, Apr 4, 2003, at 21:51 US/Eastern, Steven Hilton wrote:

If "Programmer I" is automated, and "Software Enginerr II-IV" are moved
offshore, how does an American tech worker become a "Software Enginer V"
How would an American get the 10+ years experience?


Diana Duncan
-- This message was written on a new Mac Powerbook G4 17". Yes, 17". Cower, mortals!




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