c++ programmer. Should I take the plunge?

**thunderlizard** · 22 December 2007, 02:28

It rather depends on what your PhD's in. If it was pure scientific, consider going in as a quant developer for a financial place.
It also depends what these "incredible rates" are: even £300/day probably seems incredible if you're used to a British Council grant + a couple of undergrad tutorials a week.

**BrilloPad** · 22 December 2007, 08:11

Originally posted by Hobbes007 View Post

Hiya,

I like to think of myself as an experienced programmer, with up to 10 years of experience doing various projects (in academia - I have a PhD). C++, STL, MFC, XML, and Matlab are my core skills. Used OO design, some UML and GOF design patterns in past projects.

I live in London, I'm looking for a new job and see C++ contracts being posted at incredible rates. Does anyone know the competition for those contracts? Are C++ skills in short demand or in over supply? Will my "in academia" experience be void or be taken at face value by agencies? Should I take the plunge in the New Year?

Many thanks in advance,

Kris

Who cares what the agencies think? But clients are wary of people from academia. Some make the transition - other not. Be prepared to start on a low rate then move up.

In general I think now is not good time to go contracting.

I would suck it and see. All the very best of luck.

**Hobbes007** · 22 December 2007, 11:43

Thanks for the replies. 300 a day indeed doesn't look bad to my grant-supported eyes

, but the ones I'm seeing advertised are 500+, which makes me

.

I've been thinking about going quant, as I have some background in stochastic modelling, though not in finance. Not sure how that will sell...

Kris

**KentPhilip** · 22 December 2007, 18:16

Originally posted by BrilloPad View Post

In general I think now is not good time to go contracting.

May I ask your reasons for this view?

Perhaps because of the credit crunch. But surely the credit crunch increases uncertainty, so increasing the demand for contractors.

Another poster on this forum (can't remember name) reported that he was very busy through the last recession, so maybe the same might happen again. But that was just one person of course.

**BrilloPad** · 22 December 2007, 18:24

Originally posted by KentPhilip View Post

May I ask your reasons for this view?

Perhaps because of the credit crunch. But surely the credit crunch increases uncertainty, so increasing the demand for contractors.

Another poster on this forum (can't remember name) reported that he was very busy through the last recession, so maybe the same might happen again. But that was just one person of course.

I had no issues during 1990-1993 - I was lucky. During 2000-2003 I also got lucky - I worked for a m8 for little money for a year.

Of course people might get lucky.

But in general contractors are leading edge - like new cars or taxis. IT is not seen as business critical(I never found out why) and they are firsat to be cut when budgets go down.

Alot of budgets out in March - will be interesting to see.

**VectraMan** · 22 December 2007, 20:19

My impression is C++ demand is increasing, probably because there's still pleanty of legacy stuff in C++ and a shortage of contractors as they all jumped on the .NET bandwagon. But I may be wrong.

I wouldn't hire an academic. We're supposed to go in and know what we're doing and be effective from day one; that's not a trait academics tend to have.

My client has just had a round of redundancies, but kept me. It's about wanting to reduce their fixed costs, and not be burdened with employees they don't know what to do with, so contractors look quite good.

**BrilloPad** · 22 December 2007, 20:41

Originally posted by VectraMan View Post

My impression is C++ demand is increasing, probably because there's still pleanty of legacy stuff in C++ and a shortage of contractors as they all jumped on the .NET bandwagon. But I may be wrong.

I wouldn't hire an academic. We're supposed to go in and know what we're doing and be effective from day one; that's not a trait academics tend to have.

My client has just had a round of redundancies, but kept me. It's about wanting to reduce their fixed costs, and not be burdened with employees they don't know what to do with, so contractors look quite good.

Indians seem very good at java - but few do C++. Sweeping generalization I know.

**SueEllen** · 23 December 2007, 16:43

Originally posted by BrilloPad View Post

Indians seem very good at java - but few do C++. Sweeping generalization I know.

Most are not good at either.

I know I've had to work with them or sort out the s*** code they have left behind.

The few that are good understand British comedies and find them funny.

**BrilloPad** · 23 December 2007, 18:15

Originally posted by SueEllen View Post

Most are not good at either.

I know I've had to work with them or sort out the s*** code they have left behind.

The few that are good understand British comedies and find them funny.

Afraid I work with a few who are brilliant at both. There are a few who are amazing. I hope they are the exception.

c++ programmer. Should I take the plunge?