Thursday, February 11, 2016

Programmer Job Market - What's Next?





The #1 question every software professional needs to ask himself is : "Where's the heck I'm going to in the near future??". Software is a quickly changing world, where hot fields today may become irrelevant in a couple of years. Thus, a software professional can't afford neglecting this question, at least if he really wants to stay around for long years.

So where's the hot point: what are the most promising fields in the industry for the coming years.

1. Java - the most popular programming language in the world today, with 20% of developers using it as a primary language. This means that millions of applications are going to need updating and maintenance in the coming years.

Additionally, Java is useful for making desktop applications as well as web applications.

2. PHP - is a language for server side web pages. i.e when you load a web page, some of the operations are performed on a server. PHP is used now by millions of programmers around the world, many of them freelancers.
It's free-to-use ("open source") and enjoys an extensive online support.

3. HTML/Javascript/CSS - these languages (not exactly programming ones, but let's ignore that) are used to simply build the user experience of a web site, i.e. the side of the site which the user can see. Obviously in an era of Internet, mastering these languages is extremely important in order to stay relevant in the industry.
For a programmer, not to know HTML or Javascript is like for a doctor not to know resuscitation.

Summary - don't be indifferent to market trends, because you'll find yourself out of business some day.. I hope this short article will make your day a bit better..

Thursday, January 21, 2016

Physical Therapy - Do Something For Others for a Change

Ladies and gentlemen, this week I'm going to speak a bit about an unselfish profession. A profession which is also a task: Physical Therapy (also known as: Physiotherapy).

 I'm going to emphasize the basic points you need to know about this career:

1. Who is suitable for this profession?

2. What is the training track required for this career?

3. What are the main advantages of this profession?

4. What are the main disadvantages of this career?


Who is suitable for this profession?

In my opinion, a small fraction of society can to well with this profession.  this profession requires a few basic characteristics which without even one of them, the person might not survive in the field:

1. Ability to experience pain and suffering of others - physical therapists don't work usually with very healthy people.  This demands resilience  from the therapist in order to put up with the daily routine.



2. Good manual skills - physical therapists work with their hands, thus they need a decent level of manual skills for performing the actual therapy.  For example: Lifting a limb in order to demonstrate a move.



3. Ability to work as self employed - much of the job market in this field is based on independent service to people in their homes.  For this to occur, the therapist must be able to run  small practice including the basic running of a business  (bookkeeping, service support, marketing etc.).


What is the training track required for this career?

Prepare your butt for a 4 year academic track! If you've thought it's a piece of cake to become a physical therapist, you've got it all wrong.  the studies combine theory and practice as you should be trained both on the scientific (medicine) and on the practical (performance) side.  The studies take a bout 30 hours a week and some work at home.  Thus, it's not a track  for easy life seekers.


What are the main advantages of this profession?

I'll tell you a little secret: most people do nothing significant in their jobs.  They do absolutely nothing contributing to humanity or society. They do nothing fulfilling or reassuring.  They do the same again and again, for months and years.

This can't be said about physical therapists.  These people help people every day, all day.  There's nothing unnecessary or pretending about their work.  There's nothing done for the looks of it or for the impression.

By this I rest my case.



What are the main disadvantages of this career?

As in every career, if you're not suitable for this kind of work, you'll suffer and suffer big time!  Do not choose these career without a proper career advice.  I dare you!

Moreover, this profession is for people who love people, not for people who love money.  Do not go for this career path because you hear of good wages in this field. 

Thursday, December 31, 2015

Programmer Job Market - What's Next?

The #1 question every software professional needs to ask himself is : "Where's the heck I'm going to in the near future??". Software is a quickly changing world, where hot fields today may become irrelevant in a couple of years. Thus, a software professional can't afford neglecting this question, at least if he really wants to stay around for long years.

So where's the hot point: what are the most promising fields in the industry for the coming years.

1. Java - the most popular programming language in the world today, with 20% of developers using it as a primary language. This means that millions of applications are going to need updating and maintenance in the coming years.

Additionally, Java is useful for making desktop applications as well as web applications.

2. PHP - is a language for server side web pages. i.e when you load a web page, some of the operations are performed on a server. PHP is used now by millions of programmers around the world, many of them freelancers.
It's free-to-use ("open source") and enjoys an extensive online support.

3. HTML/Javascript/CSS - these languages (not exactly programming ones, but let's ignore that) are used to simply build the user experience of a web site, i.e. the side of the site which the user can see. Obviously in an era of Internet, mastering these languages is extremely important in order to stay relevant in the industry.
For a programmer, not to know HTML or Javascript is like for a doctor not to know resuscitation.

Summary - don't be indifferent to market trends, because you'll find yourself out of business some day.. I hope this short article will make your day a bit better..