“The Unknown Woes of the Software Job”

Neeraj , one of my neighbours , is a busy bee..He is like a mobile phone in the hands of a teenager – “Always Engaged” .Never I have seen him relaxing in any of the ways. One day , I was lucky enough to meet him in the streets. I poured out a question , which was whirling my head for a long time, “ Neeraj …What is your Ambition in life ? Neeraj grew serious in no time and said ,” I want to become a software Engineer and settle in U.S “..I grew Silent at his candid answer….Neeraj is just 4 years old studying in U.K.G….. The craze for a S/w Job is at it’s peak with Neeraj being an exemplary example for the intensity of craze.

What is that which has adorned Software with an unique , lucrative jewel ?The answer is unanimous ,” High Remuneration “ – Comparitively ,a good starting PERK for a fresher. OfCourse, there are other commandable factors , for which a contemporary fellows in other industries will tie up an MOE (Memorandum of Envy) with a software guy/gal…

1) A factor called “Team Outings” is pretty proprietory for a S/w job , which in its unique way bridges the gap of interpersonal relations, thus promoting an healthy outfit.

2) Flexibility in working hours adds fuel to to the burning envy factor..

3) Literally speaking there is a dice in hands of every S/w Engineer which @ good chances fetches you an onsite opportunity..Since most of the outsourced jobs are from U.S, young chaps must be seeing the statue of liberty , LIVE atleast once in 2 years..If You are a “System Analyst “ , you should be travelling around the world in 80 days. Frequent flight journeys are something strange and dramatic for people who are watching this software game in a big screen…

4) Mc Donalds , Coffee day , pubs ,pizza huts are part & parcel of S/w life but these things are just a theoretical axiom for people in other industries…

It is scientifically true that there is a dark energy in the luminous sun....Ever Wondered there are also certain pain areas in a Software Job.. Let me go by individual topics...First one Health

1)I have seen stalwarts of Octogenerians sulking their heads in dismay , when a young S/w guy happens to pass through in Mitsubishi Lancer…but never ever , they see the stress level in his work ..It’s a fact that people who end up their lives below the age of 35 in S/w are due to heart prone attacks. Although Saturdays and Sundays are meant for their personal life , project deadlines welcome them to Campus premises with a red carpet .. People who pursue their carrier in “programming “ , celebrate “Shivarathri” almost every night .We can very well add “Sleepless in Software PGM” with “Sleepless in Seattle “ … The stress level shoots up very rapidly with a greater enhancement in BP of the body …Most of them work with great perseverance that they forget to take food @ right time ..Sometimes take junk foods like burger , Veg rolls, Samosa items which are readily available ..Sometimes feel convenient with cups of Tea , instead of spending their valuable time for food .. This really knocks the lights of digestive system very badly ..The next area which might be diluted is the optical nerves…..Starring a CRT monitor constantly fetches you headaches at ease.. Some times the pressure level of the eye may shoots up ,putting one in to glaucoma .. but Mostly most of them forget to wink eyes ,resulting in dryness of cornea.. One of my colleagues has pasted “WINK YOUR EYES” on the forehead of CRT monitor , so that she won’t forget winking ! Sounds Pathetic ?

Next one is on the on-going depreciated family intimacy …

2) For Married S/w Engineers they do remember their home as “Something called Family”. For a family wherein both husband and wife are employed in Software, communication happens typically through chatting and chatting only ..They feel lucky if both of them can stay in house at weekends .Consequently , understandability declines resulting in high divorce rates..Such is their married life… Most of the young unmarried guys / gals visit home once in a bluemoon…They won’t be able to attend any ceremonies which may fall on working days.. Occasionally , relatives see peeping Toms in Marriages , they feel like they are in moon …” The rate of loosing Relationship is directly proportional to rate of failing to attend family ceremonies “ –--Jaiganesh’s First Law on Family Intimacy--- …Loosing relationships is one of the vagaries of S/w ..If the work is @ Onsite the condition is still worse…”One earns dollars but loose their hobbies , relatives permanently “..People outside don’t validate all these things before pouncing on a S/w engineer ..

3)While haunting for a house , I have seen owners hiking the rent if You spill the beans that you are in S/w Job .

A professional beggar asks 1 Rupee Extra because You are in S/w
An Autorikshaw wahla darely asks 10 rupee Extra because You are in S/w…
A House owner asks you Rs 1000 Extra because You are in S/w
A real Estate Person asks you Rs 100000 Extra because You are in S/w

In future , even the government may post a new rule something like this….. if you are an Software Engineer and happen to travel by bus You are bound to pay Rs 1 Extra than the normal rate…....May happen .. Who Knows ? The Woes Continues…