A few  months ago I wrote a column for Visual Studio Magazine titled “Where have all the developer’s gone” in which I pointed that interest in programming and computer science seems to be dropping – at least in the United States. And in fact, much of the interest in learning programming seems to be in countries like China, Pakistan, etc. I concluded with a somewhat cautionary note that if we want our kids to become the technologists of the future, it’s up to us to do something about it.
This brought forth a great deal of comment, one of the most interesting questioning why anyone would encourage their kids to go into the software business in the first place. Why would you go into an industry where it’s increasingly difficult to keep up, where jobs are increasingly being outsourced, and where there is rarely long term career viability? Doctors can continue treating patients into their 60’s and 70’s, Lawyers continue lawyering, bankers banking and politicians politicking until they drop dead (and sometimes longer in the case of politicians). But past 40 or so, software developers who aren’t fortunate enough to have solid management gig are likely as not to find themselves unemployed or in some other career.
I’ve been particularly fortunate in this regard. Through a combination of being self-employed, honestly passionate about technology, and a bit of talent, I’ve had the opportunity to continue coding. What’s more, I’ve had the freedom to diversify into all sorts of new technologies beyond my core expertise. But keeping up is an effort. I often compare the life of a software developer to that of Alice in “Through the Looking Glass” – where Alice is told by the Red Queen that she has to run as fast as she can just to stay in place, and to make progress she has to run even faster
Why would anyone wish this on their kids?
It seems that our interests as a nation are radically different from our interests as individuals. There is no doubt that we need a lot of skilled engineers and programmers going forward. Not only do we need to maintain our existing technological base, there’s going to be increasing demand for power engineers and some incredibly sophisticated software to handle the future smart grid (or EnergyNet” as Juval Lowy calls it). Where are those developers going to come from?
I suppose we can continue to import them. But will the United States continue to be a desirable place for migrant technologists? To some degree it is likely, but as their local economies develop, they may find better opportunities at home. And many engineers consider foreign workers to be part of the problem – competition that makes it even less desirable to enter the business. But let’s assume for the moment that for the foreseeable future foreign nationals will continue to provide needed support our technological society, and that it is in our national interest for them to do so – thus making home-grown talent less essential.
What do you encourage your kids to study if not technology?
Medicine is good – the Baby Boom generation is getting older and there will be demand for more health care. Lawyers? It’s hard to argue that the U.S. needs more lawyers. Investment bankers? It seems unlikely that will soon return to being the path to instant riches it once was. Therapists? That’s not bad – there are going to be plenty of stressed-out unemployed people who will need treatment.
I suppose there’s always the option of flipping burgers or greeting folk at Walmart (not that there’s anything wrong with that).
It’s not enough to say that technology is a hard field – it is. But hard isn’t necessarily bad. And training in engineering sharpens one’s problem solving skills in a way that few other degrees can manage.
So here is my answer to those parents who wants the best for their kids: absolutely encourage them to get a technical degree. But don’t let them think they can rely on that alone to create a good future for themselves in a tumultuous world. Make sure they develop great communication skills, written and verbal. Teach them about money and accounting so they can use the relatively high income from the early part of their careers to establish a foundation for what comes next. Teach them to how to evaluate risks and opportunities so they can jump when the time is right and perhaps create their own businesses. And teach them to follow their passion, so that no matter what happens with their career, at least they’ll have some fun along the way.