Technology, Theology, and Anything In Between

Well, almost one month has gone by in 2007. I’ve been reviewing last year’s records, mainly since taxes (personal property and sales) are due tomorrow. I didn’t do too bad last year, but I really need to focus on bringing in new business this year.

I also have decided that I need to start writing more code. That is one thing I have a talent for, but don’t seem to get much opportunity at my day job. I need to start working on some programs that I’ve had on the back burner for a long time. The problem I run into is every time I get serious about designing and writing programs, a really good client or contract comes along, and I get distracted (after all, it is better to make money consulting at this point, then take a risk writing software that the market may or may not accept readily).

I’m also working full steam ahead on my Master of Software Engineering degree. I’m projecting finishing in 2010, but that date may happen sooner if I am able to save up some money and pay for some extra courses. I also have to make a decision about Gordon-Conwell studies later this year, otherwise I will have to go through the whole admissions process again.

2007 seems like it will be an “interesting” year for software engineers. I’m finally starting to see competition/wage pressure from overseas firms in some of the jobs that I work. There is a big push to get low cost outsourcing instead of high cost outsourcing(people like me). I think it is interesting that some electricians and plumbers I know bill at much higher rates than I do, but my rates are always under pressure. Now, I realize that people in the trades do not get paid for every hour they work (a 40 hour week may only have 25-30 billable hours). Of course, I don’t get paid for the time I invest marketing and finding work, and taking care of bookkeeping, but then again, that would be my contribution to the business.

Of course, I’ll keep some of my specialities at the forefront of the problems I can solve, such as MATLAB/Simulink work, LabVIEW VI design, and software integration and testing. I don’t stay awake at night worrying about the competition, but I also do recognize the need to be aware and try to stay on top of the trends in software engineering.