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From: Ed 'Austin' Averill <eaverill@cris.com>
Subject: Re: QUESTION- JOBS IN COMPUTERS
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Date: Mon, 26 Aug 1996 15:25:40 GMT
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Serpent wrote:
> 
> Hi, Sorry to post this here, but I got a big problem and have to ask
> you guys something. Any reply is appreciated.
> 
> I'm currently a second year medical student but after 2 years, I find
> I hate it...
> 
> My real passion is in computers, programming in particular but I find
> giving up medicine a big decision.
> 
> Everyone tells me what an idiot I am to give it up...think of all the
> money and privelege betowed upon doctors they say (especially my
> family) and that programming is hard way to make a living.

[snip]

** This is a statement of opinion, YMMV **

Well, you're not likely to make the kind of money in programming that
you would as a doctor, unless you become a consultant or get in with
a small startup that goes public in a big way.  You had also better
_love_ to program, because you'll be doing it for 50-60 hours a week 
(or more) when you're fresh out of school, it's kind of like 
"paying your dues" in the music business.  If you've already invested
two years of your life in medical school, you're likely better off 
looking for a computer-related medical job (medical imaging, etc.) 
rather than throwing all your education out & starting on something new.
I've been programming since high school (wow, it's been 18 years!
My God!) and I've _just_ _now_ managed to (a) get into the games 
industry and (b) make a six-figure income as a consultant on video
programming.  You'd better be persistent, love being up late, and be 
prepared to spend a great deal of what some people call "spare time" 
keeping up on the latest on your own (unles you work for an enlightened
company that will pay to keep your skills sharp).  Of course, I love to
program, I'll probably die slumped across my keyboard waiting for One 
Last Compile....  ;)

..ed..
