Question for programmers....

[Churchill]

That's a bit of a sweeping generalisation. I'm *cough* well *cough* over 35 and I still get a kick out of development (I consider myself very lucky to be well paid for doing something I enjoy). OK, so maybe I should get out more.

What about the rules of your probation?

[voodooflux]

What about the rules of your probation?

I think the ankle tag covers that.

[Cowboy Bob]

Not sure I'd agree with that - £300 per day is certainly "decent" for development roles around the Midlands at the moment. There a few higher rates around, but plenty lower.

Where are you based?

My first ever contract when I was green around the gills in 2003 was in Norwich for £300. I'm currently about 25 miles away from Oxford on £450 a day. Personally, I wouldn't consider anything less than £400, which with a bit of perseverance is easy to get.

[voodooflux]

My first ever contract when I was green around the gills in 2003 was in Norwich for £300. I'm currently about 25 miles away from Oxford on £450 a day.

Neither of those are "up North" or what I'd call Midlands based though. Rates certainly decrease as you move away from the South East.

Personally, I wouldn't consider anything less than £400, which with a bit of perseverance is easy to get.

Not around here. Possible? Perhaps. Easy? No.

[Spacecadet]

if you are over 35 don't go for programming you'll be bored probably

Whoah, steady on

A few years ago I was at a cross roads between going down the dba/system adim path or sticking with "programming", I'm actually a DB developer.
In the end I stuck with development, I shudder to think how boring life would be as a sys admin.
I'm 31, but I know plenty of developers who are well over 35 and they really enjoy it.

[BrilloPad]

Whoah, steady on

A few years ago I was at a cross roads between going down the dba/system adim path or sticking with "programming", I'm actually a DB developer.
In the end I stuck with development, I shudder to think how boring life would be as a sys admin.
I'm 31, but I know plenty of developers who are well over 35 and they really enjoy it.

I am 45 - develop - and hate it - nothing to do with boredom. Its just those numpty permies......

[Jaws]

I'd be interested to know exactly why programming is considered boring past 35? I'm not there yet but I've got 10 years experience and I'm still not bored, am I doing something wrong?

[minestrone]

Contract programming would be a tip top job if it was not for the idiot permies and the crap code they produce.

I can't wait for the "we are reducing your rate by 10%" call so I can have a good reason to tell them to shove it. Otherwise I will just sit here picking up a massive wage for doing bugger all on a totally pish system.

[NickFitz]

I'd be interested to know exactly why programming is considered boring past 35? I'm not there yet but I've got 10 years experience and I'm still not bored, am I doing something wrong?

I'm a long way past 35 and still love programming. I think those who lose interest are the ones who took it up because "it seemed like a good career". They're usually not very good at it anyway, so it's hardly surprising they get fed up.

If you do it because you find it fascinating, challenging, and fun then you're unlikely to suddenly, or even gradually, lose interest.

[Spacecadet]

I'm a long way past 35 and still love programming. I think those who lose interest are the ones who took it up because "it seemed like a good career". They're usually not very good at it anyway, so it's hardly surprising they get fed up.

Did you know that IT professionals earn on average £35kp.a.?