Morti

Hello fellows, I graduated with a degree in math and have been out of school for over a year. I have one year of experience working at a software company as an entry-level programmer.

My job is what I refer to as a blue-collar programming job. It's not the sexy glamorous job I thought it would be. At the same time I feel I can't complain too much because I don't even have a degree in CS. This is what I do at my current job: I fix minor software related problems, retrofit code, and make small code changes. My job is more about problem solving than code writing - and it doesn't involve any math.

I earn $35,000/year. Despite popular belief, I don't live in the middle of Kansas . I live in a major metropolitan area in the East Coast where salaries for entry-level programmers usually start < at least from what I've heard > at $50,000/year.

My job is not what I thought it would and in recent months have developed symptoms related to Anxiety ("Anxiety" as in, a codition that needs psychological attention).

I'd just like to hear what you all think about my present situation. What do you think about my salary? What do you think about the nature of the work I do? Given that I have a year of experience, where can I take it from here especially considering that I have a background in math and would like to continue in that direction?

I'd like to hear opinions. And please tell it like is. If you think I have a bottom-of-the-barrel job say so. If you think I earn a miserable salary, the same. I just want to hear some thoughts.

Ancient Dragon

That sounds ok for an entery-level programming job. Most of them are like that. And if you work on business related programs you will never need more than algebra and trig math.

Frankly your degree in math doesn't really mean a whole lot unless you get a job where it is useful to others. For example: scientific research labs, writing programs for other scientists. Or professional gammers like Blizzard Inc. where lots of higher level math may be needed to calculate pixels, arches, angles, etc.

I think its time for you to look for another job that may suit you better. There is no point in doing something you hate. If you can, don't confine yourself to a specific location. So you have to move 1,000 miles or so away? People do that all the time. And from personal experience it will give you lots of stuff to talk about to other people.

Soulstorm

I will put it this way. No matter what you do, or where you are, do you think you can live like this if you are not content with you situation for another, lets say.. 5 or years?

If not, there is no point in staying where you are. If you feel you want something else, then go get it, before you end up depressed. Do not forget that the one thing that will accompany you for the rest of your life is your job, so choose one wisely.

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Morti

Ancient Dragon, ideally, I want to work at a company where I'll be writing code and doing math. You mentioned companies like Blizzard, but isn't saying that I want to work for a company like Blizzard like saying that I want to work for a company like Microsoft? Don't you need to be one of the best of the best to work at those places? On the other hand, writing calculator programs at a financial company doesn't sound too sexy, but it sounds better than my current job. You mentioned finding work in some other area of the country. But frankly, if I can't find a job in the Boston area - a major IT hub -, I don't see the point of searching for a job elsewhere.

Ancient Dragon

From what I understand the IT job market on both coasts are scarse. But there are over 3,000 miles (or 4 million square miles) between those with a lot of IT jobs. There are all sorts of places to look, such as any of these google links.

Another alternative is to get back in college and get another BS in CS or a Masters in CS. That will help jumpstart your career too.

Jimbo

IMHO, it depends on how much you care about the math factor. There's a lot of software that can be written using only simple math, and there's some software does require someone with a degree in the field. Getting into the latter is somewhat specialized, though. You'll certainly need to be competitive, but you don't have to be the top in your field (yet at least). A lot of hiring decisions in this field seem to be investments for the hiring company, at least when they're hiring youngsters like us.

And assuming the cost of living is similar to what it is here, yeah, you could probably find a better paying position. On the other hand, the better paying position will likely have you doing more non-coding tasks related to development.

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Arla

I think it depends what you want to do. I enjoy the problem solving aspects of coding, that's what I like doing (as a coder). However, if you are looking more for a math job, you need to find a company where that is something that they would do. I don't know who you currently work for, but a majority of coding (at least that I've seen in the last 15 years) doesn't involve a vast amount of math, unless it's a math specific application.

Why did you think your job would be sexy and glamorous, I think most coders jobs aren't, even those who work in the gaming industry (my brother works in that industry, and from everything I've seen it's anything but sexy and glamorous 99% of the time)

Morti

Do you guys think someone like I has a realistic chance of obtaining entry level employment at a company like Raytheon or Mitre? (I mention those companies because they are located in the area of the country I live in).

Or, are those jobs - at least at the present time - mostly out of my league? (like saying I want to work for Google or Microsoft)

Sane

Even people in first year Computer Science can get a paid coop placement at Microsoft. Nothing's out of the question if you're prepared to work for it, to gain the necessary skills and experience.

Grich

You have to start at the bottom no matter the career. I have this friend who wants to be a film director for the BBC in England. She has a bachelor in the area but no skills and she expects to get there more easily than she thinks. Personally I don't think she has a chance.
What I'm saying is that if you want a particular job, aim for it but be realistic when aiming for it. Your situation sounds typical for most entry level programmers. Remember, when applying for jobs (this is what I found) it is experience that employers want as well as a piece of paper that says you can do it.
(I sound like a motivational speaker )

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