[JimmyJenkins]

6+ experience financial software development (derivatives): 125k salary + variable bonus (20-50% of base) + benefits (dental/health/vision/insurance/various discounts).

BS in Computer Information Science from City College (2 yrs at Ivy League prior) Currently employed in finance as Senior Lead Developer + Manager in top 10 firm. Averaging 65hrs a week (no overtime) but have gone as high as 110hrs avg for a few months straight.

It was incredibly difficult to get where I am the way I went about it but not impossible. Get in the door, develop relationships with senior developers who will teach you more than any book or class, work the hardest and become the "best in class" and you will be rewarded handsomely. Took 200 resume sub missions, 50 call backs, 15 in person interviews (avg 8hrs per) before I got my foot in the door as a junior developer analyst for 50k + benefits in an excellent economy. Only the relentlessly tenacious who are willing to adapt will survive.