Occupational Outlook for Computer Programmers

[El_Johns]

Job Outlook About this section: Computer Programmers

Percent change in employment, projected 2010-20

Total, All Occupations: 14%
Computer Programmers: 12%

Employment of computer programmers is expected to increase by 12 percent from 2010 to 2020, about as fast as the average for all occupations.

Since computer programming can be done from anywhere in the world, companies often hire programmers in countries where wages are lower. This ongoing trend will limit growth for computer programmers in the United States. However, companies may continue to hire computer programmers in low cost areas within the United States.

Most computer programmers work in computer system design and related services, an industry which is expected to grow as a result of an increasing demand for new computer software. This includes software offered over the Internet, which should lower costs for firms and allow for more customization for users. In addition, new applications will have to be developed for mobile technology and the healthcare industry. An increase in computer systems that are built into electronics and into other non-computer products should result in some job growth for computer programmers and software developers.

As employers increasingly contract with outside firms to do programming jobs, more opportunities are expected to arise for experienced programmers who have expertise in a specific area to work as consultants.

http://www.bls.gov/ooh/computer-and-information-technology/computer-programmers.htm#tab-6

[TreasonousBastard]

1. Maybe, maybe not...

Years ago I knew an IT manager for a large Japanese company that is so big here it's essentially A US company. He hated the Japanese programmers that they use-- told me about one project that came back in half the time allotted and when he went into it it immediately blew up. No error-checking, no keyboard feedback... When he yelled at the programmer for allowing him to hit the wrong key and crash the program, the programmer just said "That's bad user. Good user don't do that."

Another one was a small nonprofit I worked with that needed a lot of database programming and several Indian companies bid on the job-- each one had it for a while, and each one screwed it up horribly. It cost a bundle to bring the work back home here, but it cost a bundle to have it screwed up, too.

There is a lot of good work done overseas, and it's getting better, but you all too often get what you pay for.

[NoOneMan]

2. I spent a decade in the IT grind

And I continually saw my work devalued and dim prospects from overseas competition, despite being very well educated with a plethora of successful experience. After a deluge of crappy bosses and bad business practices, I simply shot out and developed some open source code (web-based) and an online profile. Within weeks I ran into an IT manager who searched the globe for talent and couldn't find any adequate, affordable, skilled programmers in any of those popular countries. In a short window later, I'm a part owner and a valued team member. Morale of the story: stop being loyal, stop being conventional, stop buying into the tired old cliche that you just have to get fucked because some guy can do an equal job in India for a fraction of the price (its total bullshit). Take a risk and make something everyone loves in your free time, then give it away if you must. Your inbox wont be more full. And hey, if you lose your job, you can freelance it without a problem. And if things go well, you get to quit your job!

[El_Johns]

3. We're graduating more programmers than there are jobs, so I doubt that route will work for

all of them.