On Mon, 13 Apr 1998, Pam Blythe wrote:

> At least I'm not the only programmer on BP.

To quote Ken Josenhans: "My friends are in two distinct categories: the
ones with computer-related jobs, and the ones who are always broke."

> Anyway, Larry, I hope you're not one of the lawyers about which those
> architects were advising my nephew David. ;-)

Lawyers and architects are in similar predicaments.  They both have high
perceived social status and grave difficulties in getting paid enough to
actually live on.  Everyone imagines that law and architecture are
glamorous fields with easy wealth and prestige, so both are flooded with
many times more new people every year than there is any real demand for.

Moreover, when even a mild a recession starts, people immediately cancel
contracts and stop payment on checks to their lawyers and architects, and
concentrate on basic things like buying food and paying the rent.  It is
commonplace for a lawyer to spend months preparing for and doing a big
trial, and end up being paid little or nothing for it.  I understand that
architectural work is often given the same short shrift.  Vendors who sell
stuff to lawyers or architects naturally suffer the downstream effects of
any cash crunch.

Those without independent wealth should look elsewhere for a career.

---
Lawrence Kestenbaum, [log in to unmask]
http://www.potifos.com/