re: Midrange Jobs National Discussion

["Timothy A. Grove" <tagrove@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

I've tried to stay out of this argument, but I can't .

I was unemployed for nearly 2 years.  There were NO AS400 jobs for 
the majority of that time.
There were a TON of MS .NET jobs.

2 things:

1. I started my own business when I was unemployed (which further 
depleted my limited cash).  I am building this business, so that I 
won't be at the mercy of an employer again.

2. I am learning .NET on my own (which is very slow and not very good 
for learning HOW it is used in business).  This is so that when the 
AS400 market totally dies (with the machine, since IBM doesn't market 
it except through it's VARS), I'll have the ability to still work as a coder.

My situation is this:

I DID find a permanent job a year and a half ago.  It is in 
healthcare, and I am doing everything to please them so I won't get 
fired.  I am making 10,000 less than I was when I was working last, 
and 15,000 less than what I made at the top of my career. (50,000 
less than what I was making as a consultant, but now, the going rate 
for AS400 programmer is $25/hr instead of the $60/Hr I was charging 
IF you can find a consulting gig)  The drop in rates for consulting 
is DIRECTLY related to overseas outsourcing.  Also, the hypocrites 
will not let an AMERICAN consultant work remotely, but freely give 
that access to overseas programmers, but don't get me started on that.....

My business just moved into the black.  In only 3 years.  It is in no 
way able to replace my income from my job, but in another 3 to 5 
years?  That's my goal.

.NET is slow going, mainly because of my lack of time to devote to 
it.  Once I am able to learn it, I can add .NET programming to my 
company's services.  Also, I can create a program to sell, or a web 
portal, etc.

So, what made me respond?  I wouldn't call myself lazy.  There were 
NO opportunities for AS400 programmers.  I have read the writing on 
the wall, and am moving on to other technologies, and positioning 
myself to be independant someday.

At 11:50 AM 1/28/2007, you wrote:
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>
>
> > Sorry, but I find that to be the biggest bunch of bull I've heard in a
> > long time.
> >
> > The lack of adequate employment is more based on the employees
> > unwillingness to learn new things than the fact that jobs have been
>
>
>
> First, I do not think that laziness from applicants and the absence of
> opportunities are the same thing, are they? So - I agree with you- we
> have opportunities that Ken was not aware of!
> I think Ken was speaking of volume/numbers and systemic declining
> prosperity for folks in the industry he is in. Is my read on this
> correct?
>
> Now, about the laziness: Simply - your correct - everyone has seen
> this. As a nation we are bloody spoiled rotten. The wake-up call is
> upon us.
>
> But is poor preperation the REASON for off-shoring - out-sourcing?
> --
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Timothy A. Grove
Home:   574-233-2893
Cell:   574-286-5929
mailto:tagrove@xxxxxxxxxxxxx