[AsyA]

Hi, I'm starting higher education.. and I was wondering.. how the software engineering field works.. can anyone give me any ideas?
ie. pay, time, family life?, etc etc..
I was thinking about becoming a game developer or work in the gaming industry..
but I've read that it sucks..

[angelqian]

program for a while and you'll see why being a game developer isn't so exciting. I feel it's unrewarding, cuz if you're making a game, by the time you're done, it's not really fun for you cuz you know how it works, and I hear the work environment at game studios are crappy. If you like it, CS is still a pretty good field, pretty good pay, regular work days (unless you choose something otherwise). Don't go into this field because you like playing video games...

[watcher]

except for a couple of studios, most game studios work you pretty hard. on top of that, the typical gaming programmer goes through a few years as a game tester before getting hired as a programmer. i dont think working in the gaming industry is the best way to go if you want to enjoy life outside of game programming. from what i see in all of my friends in that industry, i feel that programming/testing games is something you have to enjoy in order to get through each day.

they work 10+ hours a week more than i do. earn maybe half to 2/3 of what i earn. they were not given benefits until their 2nd/3rd year at the company, nor were they even hired full time (they were on a contract basis for a while). in that sense, i don't think it's worthwhile unless it's something you truly enjoy. if anything, that's what shuts me up when i hang out with them and talk about work. they're happy, so i don't try to convince them of better opportunities in software.

ultimately, there will always be exceptions. an ace in the field is an ace in the field. if you're good and have proven it, you will get your shot and get paid fairly well. however, i'd still hate to be around when deadlines come around and the game's not ready to be delivered.

the software engineering field in general is pretty happening right now. especially with all the new technologies popping up everyday. the internet's going through another stage in evolution and companies are looking for a few good programmers to usher in a new generation. there's new development going on in creating client side software using lightweight tools. etc etc etc... lots of cool and interesting things to get into, and a field so broad, it's hard to be a jack of all trades.

all things considered, like pay, workload, work hours... i think life as a software engineer isn't too bad. i have time to spend with the folks, a girlfriend and friends, and still get to enjoy hobbies and volunteer for non-profit. doing all at once kind of makes the schedule tight, but just sayin it's possible.

the only thing i'd say is that as software engineers, you gotta know your stuff. and to know how to make good software, you need experience but also lots of reading and research. you will never stop studying and learning new things. if you dont learn more, you will stay stagnant in your career and not get very far. but if you're content with where you start out... then i guess it's not much different from game programming. heh... whatever makes you happy in the end...

[badhairday]

Here's the skinny, if you want less work load with better pay/stock options/ etc..., work for a larger company like Oracle, Google... etc...
When you're in a big company, you usually have large teams... and they usually release their products once a year or so..

With smaller software companies or start-ups, you will be worked like a dog. I used to work for a start up company and I had to work weekends and longer hours WITHOUT overtime pay since they pay you based on the salary. It's just expected that you put in those hours. With smaller companies, the teams are smaller so you have more workload and they usually release their products 1 to 2 times a year to earn profit.

It's definitely less stressful working for a larger corporation. The pay is better too and better benefits. The problem is that you might get bored when the workload is light.. but that never seemed to bother me!