What are some of your careers?

[ley]

Hi I have been on this forum lurking for about half a year now, and I was just curious to know (because I see most of you have a vast knowledge of these programming languages) what do you do for a living? (Programming the obvious answer) but I was wondering for like what type of company/business and maybe even hint to the type of salary you recieve? I am just wanting to know because I am in my third semester of college now and it is just hitting me hard that I definately want to major in computer science. Before I was contemplating automotive technology, computer science, or economics (banking and loans), but I am sticking to science and I have entered a few programing courses, and it seems to be Java is on the rise for businesses as I see lots of experienced coders who have 20-30 years of mainframe computing experience coming to my classes to learn this language.

[awatson]

Well, I consider myself a webmaster - which basically translates to "generalist," skill-wise. There's a fair amount of what I'd consider light weight programming, database stuff, sys admin stuff, SEO stuff, CSS - the list goes on. It's a rapidly changing career, and not one that I think is very amenable to learning in school, other than the basics.

As for income, I do well enough for my needs. It depends on whose sites you end up working on!

[kosstr12]

Personally, I'm an eighth grade student, and sometimes web designer, don't really have an occupation yet.

[NancyJ]

I'm a freelance web developer (PHP, xHTML, javascript, css), although I occasionally do a little design and SEO on the side. This is my first year self-employed, in the past 12 months I made approx $40k. When I was employed as an in-house developer/project manager, I made around $60k a year.

[evo]

I work with a global branding consultancy, Ogilvy & Mather (www.ogilvy.co.uk). My main focus used to be branding, design and illustration. I now focus more on rebranding and revitalising brands, but manage the projects rather than get hands on with the nitty gritty parts of it. I've been doing this for about 4 years now and love it with all my heart.

We're based at the Canary Wharf in London, UK, and as with most jobs in London, it pays exceptionally well. Rough idea of what we earn, it spans from [£55,000 GBP /~$105,000 USD] (starter entry level package) to well over [£450,000 GBP /~$850,000 USD]. Ordinarily you'd be privy to bonuses, normal pay rises (varies in percentage, but ranges from 9-20% depending on your position and progress), private pensions, private healthcare, gym membership, and if you travel, a company car with fuel expenses/insurance/congestion charges, etc paid for.

Realistically you'll earn an annual income of at least [£70,000 GBP /~$130,000 USD] from the moment you've proved yourself capable after an initial 6 month assessment period. It's a competitive field to get into, but the fruits of the journey are there and very clear to see.

Edit: I also have Mudsplat Studios which is more a past time rather than hardline business ventures, but still, even with that, we already have clients including John Lewis and Waitrose amongst a few. I try stimulate myself with handling those accounts as and when I can. Mudsplat Studios focuses on artwork and print (anything on paper, canvases, wood, doors, boards, list goes on...).

[JoeM]

NancyJ, that's 40K British Pounds right? That's not too shabby at all IMHO. I'm very interested to know whether most freelancers are earning the same kind of money/more/less.