Is Software Development Worth It Today? A Perspective from 30 Years of Experience

With over 30 years of experience in the field of software development, I believe I have a solid understanding of the nuances involved. Over the years, I have observed significant changes in the landscape of technology and the industry's outlook on certain practices. In this article, I will share my insights on the current state of software development and its future prospects.

Reneging on Knowledge and Experience

During my time with the Mass Medicaid Society in 2014, I was part of a team where I was placed under a junior engineer role. My coworker, a non-engineer from Ivory Coast, was attempting to persuade me that using an Object-Relational Mapping (ORM) framework such as Hibernate could reduce coding time and processor cycles. He cited the convenience of ORM as a key benefit, but I countered with evidence that added an extra layer to the process, inevitably increasing the processor load due to the additional overhead required for database communication.

While he argued that ORM was superior to Oracle Stored Procedures, my research indicated that ORM actually decreased performance due to the abstraction layer it introduces. The idea that ORM is better than optimized SQL queries is debatable; the performance implications are significant and cannot be ignored.

Political Influences in Software Engineering

One notable observation I made during my tenure was the lack of transparency in hiring practices. I witnessed situations where hiring decisions were based on factors other than pure merit, such as the candidate's race. For example, a person of color was hired as a junior engineer simply because they were recommended, rather than based on their relevant experience. These biases unfortunately permeate the industry and can lead to a lack of trust and quality in the work being produced.

The situation in Massachusetts for 2024 is indicative of a broader issue. Here, at least, there is recognition of the political influence affecting software engineering leadership. However, this sentiment reflects the broader trend of unease and mistrust in the tech industry.

Artificial Intelligence and the Future of Work

Considering the current trajectory of technology, particularly the growing influence of Artificial Intelligence (AI), the future of software development looks grim. In my opinion, the pursuit of a college degree in software engineering today is a risky endeavor. By the time students complete their four-year degree program, the job market will be saturated with individuals who have years of industry experience, particularly due to layoffs caused by the rise of AI.

It is imperative for aspiring software developers to consider alternative career paths that do not require extensive schooling. The increasing automation of jobs, driven by AI and robotics, presents a significant threat to the traditional 9-5 work environment. Even roles that were previously considered safe, such as physical labor, are at risk of being taken over by advanced AI-embodied robots.

Current Compensation and Future Prospects

Reflecting on my own journey, I once aspired to a career in engineering but was eventually drawn to the field of software development due to the better job outlook. At the peak of the 90s, software tech jobs commanded obscenely high pay rates, which have since dropped due to the oversupply of qualified candidates.

Presently, the pay for software engineers is on par with that of accountants, and in some cases, even worse than that of plumbers. For those who are deeply skilled and specialized, such as SAP experts, there can still be a good market. However, the entry-level positions offer little in the way of financial incentive compared to past decades.

In conclusion, while software development remains a viable career path, it is crucial for individuals to reassess the current value proposition in light of the evolving job market and the increasing influence of AI. Those entering the field should carefully consider their long-term prospects and explore alternative avenues outside of traditional schooling to stay ahead in this rapidly changing landscape.