[ErikAugust]

As someone who worked more than a dozen jobs that no movie has ever depicted as glamorous before becoming a professional programmer, I can say the pay, benefits, relative career security are amazing.

Not to mention, the feeling I get from solving problems and creating things others (and myself) find useful (and fun) for a living.

Quit programming for a month and work as a menial worker. See how you feel. I dare you.

[stuff4ben]

I agree. I've worked as a developer in places from startups to financial institutions to large fortune 100 tech companies. Definitely not glamorous but sure beats working fast food that put me through school 15 years ago. I derive my enjoyment from solving problems using a computer and seeing people who use what I create enjoy what I've created. I definitely didn't do it for any sort of fame or glamor.

[ErikAugust]

Right, and to add:

It's an awesome profession: the tiny chance of becoming rich and/or famous coupled with the safe odds of relatively good pay, benefits, job security.

Every other "rich/famous" profession is completely all-or-nothing: actors, musicians, artists, athletes, etc...

[UK-AL]

Many other professions allow you become rich. Too become rich as programmer you need to own some part of the company. You can do that in nearly every proffesion.