I.T. has been a great career for me. In my 30+ years I have noticed a change that may be deterring people from entering I.T. When I started, businesses were happy to have you and were willing to let you have a work-life balance. Sure, there were the 2:00AM calls when something broke. But, the company was willing to compensate you for that. Today, I hear horror stories of people working 70+ hours a week without additional compensation. There is no work-life balance. We used to be treated as people but, more and more, we are being treated as chattel.

I mentor students who choose I.T. careers. A couple of them have been working for about four years. They report back that there is more humane treatment of animals than of I.T. workers. That has me regeretting the mentoring.

I am fortunate to work in an organization that offers a good balance and does not treat me as chattel. As I get older, I have no tolerance for late night or early morning hours. I do not wish to receive a 2:00AM call when I'm 80. I am retiring next year. I may be willing to work part time in some support role but that's about it. I want to spend time pursuing jazz trumpet.

Tom