Staying down to earth with software engineer compensation posted on 13 July 2024

Software engineers are often very well paid. To be honest, it’s a pretty sweet job to have – not only you’re paid well, you don’t have to strain your body (like someone working in construction would). It’s so good that it’s easy to lose a sense of reality.

When I took my first job, I was making more than both my parents combined, all while having little expenses. Having grown up in a normal/non wealthy family, I honestly wasn’t sure what to do with all this money.

With that being said, I think it’s important to remember that not everyone is making 6+ figures, not everyone’s career has the opportunity to make that much money, and being a software engineer doesn’t make you a noble of some kind. Don’t negatively judge others because they aren’t a software engineer in a big tech company and/or don’t make as much money as you.

The last point, and maybe the most controversial one – don’t be selfish. You will likely have a good life regardless of your local election outcome – so don’t vote to protect your little nest at the expense of others. Vote to build a better society, vote for your children (or your nieces/nephews/friends’ kids etc. who may not become software engineers) and for what’s right. A similar thing can be said about taxes but that’s probably even more controversial.

What are your thoughts on this?

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