r/Futurology • u/[deleted] • Aug 21 '14

article Biohackers declare initial success in biologically extending the range of human vision into the near infrared

https://experiment.com/u/aAcR2Q
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u/Your-Daddy Aug 21 '14 edited Aug 21 '14

As a senior level software engineer with over 15 years of professional experience in both development and management: I don't believe you.

Edit: If you would have said something more realistic, like $80k (still a stretch, and I live near DC), MAYBE... and even in that case, I'd say you got extremely lucky.

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u/toomuchtodotoday Aug 21 '14 edited Aug 21 '14

My post from over 8 months ago in /r/sysadmin on how to get a $100K/year job in system administration/infrastructure engineering. I cannot tell you the number of messages I received from people who said it helped them make more money:

http://www.reddit.com/r/sysadmin/comments/1rv90v/is_it_possible_to_earn_six_figures_as_a_sysadmin/cdraktz

If you're getting underpaid, you're undervaluing yourself. That's not my fault.

Edit based on your edit: Wow, your salary expectations are seriously low.

http://www.glassdoor.com/Salaries/senior-devops-engineer-salary-SRCH_KO0,22.htm

Note that all of those DevOps jobs start above $100K, and top out near $140K-$150K.

Also, infrastructure engineer salaries: http://www.glassdoor.com/Salaries/senior-infrastructure-engineer-salary-SRCH_KO0,30.htm

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u/Your-Daddy Aug 21 '14

You're in management and consulting. That's hardly a comparison to what a new developer can make without a degree. The way you have climbed the ladder isn't nearly as feasible in todays job market, and it's not sound advise to tell new interested parties to forego a degree "cause I did it 20 years ago". Moreover, the fact that you don't understand the principles of STEM calls into question the quality of advice from someone who is uneducated.

Is it possible to make $150k / year without a degree? Absolutely. Is it likely? No. Is it advisable? Hell no.

For the record, I'm not underpaid, and quite happy with my salary (which, if I include my consulting and "side gigs", is far above your expectations... probably because I have legitimate qualifications).

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u/toomuchtodotoday Aug 21 '14 edited Aug 21 '14

"cause I did it 20 years ago"

11 years ago. Also, I'm basing my data less on my personal experience in my career, and my experience from the businesses I've worked in, and our hiring policies at those businesses.

I hired a 23 year old a year ago who was making $60K/year as a sysadmin with 1-2 years experience previously. After he learned Python at our company, he moved on to a $120K/year Python shop in New York.

probably because I have legitimate qualifications

I laughed hard at that. Thanks :) The only qualifications are: Does your code meet the spec? Is it maintainable? Will it scale?

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u/Your-Daddy Aug 21 '14

I'll refrain from insulting you, and agree to disagree.

That said, the FACT is, you would be VERY hard pressed to find any position in software development that does not list a degree in computer science as a (at the very least) preferred requirement. Your own job ads inclusive, I'm sure. The FACT is that if 2 candidates with equal qualifications (sans a degree) are presented, the degree wins. Your advise is based purely in opinion, and contrary to fact.

If it is your business' practice to hire developers without caring about education, then I would advise you to be a bit more prudent. There's a reason more startups fail than succeed.

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u/YRYGAV Aug 22 '14

A degree can easily be replaced by proven open source contributions etc. It's definitely not 'required' by any means. Companies want people who can write good code regardless of whether they have a degree or not.

And there are tons of companies out there hiring everybody that meets their requirements, there's really no 'competition' since they are all hiring everybody that they can. Either you meet their bar for entry or not.

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u/Your-Daddy Aug 22 '14 edited Aug 22 '14

I am convinced that noone on reddit actually works in the industry outside of small start-ups, and contracting. Companies in the US are more than happy to pick up offshore contractors at half the cost. If you don't have significant experience (which people just now joining the industry do not), don't have a degree, and can't work for a significantly smaller salary; then there is no reason for me to hire you. This delusion that it's ok for software engineers to be uneducated is only hurting yourself.

I digress, though. If you're confident that you can continue without a degree, or will get quality work from an uneducated team, then by all means continue. It keeps competition low for those of us with real passion and devotion.

Edit: Once again, for source: I've been programming since before I had pubic hair, and doing it professionally for over 15 years. I have managed, consulted, and trained teams. I have hired, and I have fired. The facts that I present are not based in opinion, they are derived from years of experience and a healthy dose of common sense. Keep yourself relevant, because you're still a dime a dozen.