What are the merit and demerit of becoming an engineer or programmer?

Overview

Programming has become mandatory in compulsory education, and the professions of IT engineers and programmers are attracting more and more attention.

Difference between Engineer (SE) and Programmer (PG)

First, what kind of profession is an engineer/programmer?
Often referred to variously as "programmer (PG)," "system engineer (SE), engineer, web engineer, embedded engineer," etc., how are they different?

What is a Programmer (PG)

The terms "programmer," "engineer," "web engineer," and "embedded engineer" often refer to programmers (PG) in industry.
Simply put, it is a job to develop systems/applications by writing programming language in a grueling manner.

What is a system engineer (SE)?

Many people think that system engineers (SE) are the same as programmers (PG), but their main job is not to write and develop programs, but to define the specifications for creating a system (requirements definition) and design how the system will be created (basic design).

In reality, however, programmers (PG) also sometimes define requirements and basic design, and system engineers (SE) sometimes write programs, so they are considered the same.

I myself work as a programmer (PG).
For this reason, I would like to introduce merit and demerit of working as a programmer (PG).

Merit and Demerit of working as an engineer and programmer

The merit and demerit of working as an engineer and programmer!
In conclusion, I myself think there are only merit, but I am sure there are some demerit as described below for some people, so I will describe the demerit as I often hear about them!

Merit

• Merit.1
  You'll learn specialized techniques and skills!
• Merit.2
  The industry is short of human resources, and the number of projects is still increasing.
• Merit.3
  Easy to make money!?
• Merit.4
  Easy to work freely!?

Merit.1: You'll learn specialized techniques and skills!

The first thing that comes to mind when I think of what would be good for me to gain expertise and skills is a career change!

I have also heard that clerical and salespeople's ability to demonstrate their abilities depends almost entirely on their ability to present themselves at interviews.
In comparison, professional and technical skills often require visible evidence of one's competence and skills, such as qualifications, background, services created by oneself, and a portfolio.

Other times, when you come up with an idea for a good service and want to create it, you may be able to start the project yourself without funding if you have the skills.

Even if you have an idea, if you don't have the expertise, you can't make it on your own → You need someone to help you. → If you have an idea, but you don't have the expertise, you can't make it on your own.

Merit.2: The industry is short of human resources, and the number of projects is still increasing.!?

As we witness the increase in the number of devices such as PCs, smartphones, and tablets, and the development of internet technologies such as 5G, there is a corresponding rapid increase in work using IT technology around the world, from the systemization of analog tasks to innovative application ideas.

Despite the increase in the number of projects and jobs, there is still a serious shortage problem of human resources.
This is why the government has decided to make programming compulsory for compulsory education.

Merit.3: Easy to make money!?

Specialized techniques and skills make it easier to make money.

First, if you have IT expertise and skills, you may be able to obtain sideline projects such as remote projects or online programming instructors.
And, it is also said to be easier to transition to freelance or independent work than other professions.

There are many side job opportunities that allow you to fully utilize your specialized skills and techniques.
I think this is another big advantage!

Merit.4: Easy to work freely!?

I mentioned the benefits related to side work, but there are many side work projects that are full remote and can be done at any time you want.
Many companies are also introducing full remote and flextime.

I've actually experienced this myself, and I have a couple of projects on the side that I'm currently working on that are fully remote and can be done any time I want!

Demerit

• Demerit.1
  We need to keep studying.
• Demerit.2
  Likely to be busy.!?
• Demerit.3
  AI will take your job.!?

Demerit.1: We need to keep studying.

I believe that every industry requires its own study.
For example, studying for insurance-related certifications, studying for real estate-related certifications, management, etc.

Similarly, engineers and programmers need to study for various qualifications, programming, infrastructure, and various services such as AWS, GCP, and so on.
The scope of study is unlimited, and unlike national laws, technology evolves daily, new technologies are developed, and trends change, so in this sense, you must study more every day than in other industries to keep up and grow.

My thoughts

It's difficult if you're in the mindset of not wanting to do it, but unlike schoolwork, studying something you want to do is a lot of fun!
I want to be able to do more things like this, and I want to make things like this myself, and I do it thinking "I need this knowledge in order to make this", so I study as if I am learning through research rather than doing it while thinking I am studying.

Demerit.2 Likely to be busy.!?

As technology shifts and new technologies emerge, new products continue to be developed.

It is true that companies can get busier as they seek to develop new products more quickly to keep up with competitors, and they are often busier with human resource shortage issues.

In the midst of all this, the thought of having to keep studying as well can be tough.

My thoughts

As explained in the advantages section, the number of busy and flaming projects is decreasing due to the movement to value engineers and programmers, and many companies are scheduling their projects so that they do not flare up.
As mentioned above, if you have the skills, the hurdles to changing jobs are relatively low, so you should quit companies that don't consider engineers and make them work like cart horses and go to a better company!

Demerit.3: AI will take your job.!?

"AI will take most human jobs." This is a concern for all occupations.

The same is true for engineers/programmers, and everyone can imagine that "programs written by AI are more accurate and faster.
Therefore, people seem to think that it is a short-lived profession.

Summary

I introduced the merit and demerit of the industry of engineers and programmers, as I actually work as an engineer and programmer.

Bottom line, engineers and programmers are the best! That is my opinion.

If you are interested or don't have anything in particular you want to do at the moment, why not try to become an engineer?