[bryondowd]

Different perspectives, I suppose, but I recommend programming to anyone who has a head for it. Admittedly, perhaps the culture is different away from the big tech hubs or startup culture or what have you. I've only been working in the field a few years in two positions, but both were fairly low-pressure positions with 40-hour workweeks, a few weeks of paid time off, and reasonable but not amazing pay. For reference, I've done ERP development at a CD manufacturer in Pennsauken, NJ, and air traffic software development for the FAA near Atlantic City, NJ.

Seems to me like there are plenty of jobs for people to get into tech and make a decent living, if they prioritize for their happiness rather than compensation or doing something 'cool'.