My friend's job offer; is he getting low-balled or is this about right?

[ggavinmoss]

Job description reads as follows:

"Jr Game Programmer. Work with our Producers, Game Designers, Artists, and other Programmers to develop cutting edge mobile games for the top Publishers in the industry. Strong Java and C++ required. J2ME, BREW experience preferred but not required."

They offered $40k, medical/dental. It's in Mountain View, CA. He's fresh out of SJSU with a degree in CS.

Any thoughts?

-geoff

 

[AccruedExpenditure]

First job? Take it.

 

[kalster]

seems sorta less for the bay area and given that he has a CS degree

 

[fs5]

if he won't take it, send it over to me
at this point in his career I'd say experience > pay

 

[Ameesh]

seems low for the area. Mountain View isn't exactly cheap. I would think 50K would be better but he may just want to take it and keep his eyes open.

 

[imported_FishTaco]

They probably figure lots of young people want to be game programmers so they can offer a little less. (and work them more)

 

[AccruedExpenditure]

He went to SJSU... CS majors come a dime a dozen from there.

 

[gourmettea]

Depends on what his long-term goals and plans are. If he likes gaming and wants to break into that industry I think the experience on his resume should more than make up for the lack of financial incentives.

 

[Noirish]

if it's a good gaming company, i suppose the salary should be higher.
but if it's a not well known and doesn't have many good game company, i guess it's about right.
business side of programmning will get your more $.

 

[Pantoot]

Seems reasonable for someone with 0 experience. And like others have said, they will most likely really make him work for that 40k.

 

[Passions]

DUDE HE'S GETTING MAJOR LOWBALLED MANG!!!! HE SHOULDN'T TAKE IT. HE SHOULD DEMAND 60K NO LESS!

 

[ggavinmoss]

Originally posted by: Passions
DUDE HE'S GETTING MAJOR LOWBALLED MANG!!!! HE SHOULDN'T TAKE IT. HE SHOULD DEMAND 60K NO LESS!

Change your sig, it makes you seem like a total tool -- even more than the all-caps schtick.

-geoff

 

[shopbruin]

fresh out of SJSU? take it. who knows when the next offer may be.

i'll take 40k anyday right now.

 

[blahblah99]

That sounds about right, considering his education, experience, and the economy as whole.

You can always work hard and get a year of experience and use that as leverage for next year's salary negotiations.

 

[ugopk]

I'll take that and start working this minute ...

CSE graduate 2 months ago in davis by the way ... anyone has a job for me?

 

[DaveSimmons]

Originally posted by: FishTaco
They probably figure lots of young people want to be game programmers so they can offer a little less. (and work them more)

Yep, everything I've read about the typical game dev companies is lower pay, long hours.

He should take it if game programming / development is what he wants to specialize in, otherwise maybe not.

 

[fs5]

Originally posted by: ugopk
I'll take that and start working this minute ...

CSE graduate 2 months ago in davis by the way ... anyone has a job for me?

sure, know linux and c/c++ well? I got a programming/IT job lined up in menlo park for a nanotech firm.

 

[Kadarin]

Note that $40K is serious poverty level in Mtn. View, CA, experience or not. You can make more than that selling tires.

 

[SuperTool]

Yes, he is getting low balled. by about $20K. Interns will be making more per hour than him This is Silicon Valley for crying out loud. $40K is minum wage around here. If it was upstate NY, then $40K would be on the lower end but within shooting distance, but here, it's nothing. All of the people I know in this area got $60K + out of school with a bachelors. If someone offered me $40K, I would say thanks but I would rather go to grad school than waste my time working for that pittance. It's just not worth getting out of bed in the morning for that kind of money. So I would apply to grad schools instead.

9999 1 more to go for lifer. What to do, what to do?

 

[boggsie]

Originally posted by: ggavinmoss

Originally posted by: Passions
DUDE HE'S GETTING MAJOR LOWBALLED MANG!!!! HE SHOULDN'T TAKE IT. HE SHOULD DEMAND 60K NO LESS!

Change your sig, it makes you seem like a total tool -- even more than the all-caps schtick.

-geoff

Doesn't his higher post count give him rank?

:roll:

 

[WobbleWobble]

Originally posted by: fivespeed5
at this point in his career I'd say experience > pay

 

[ggavinmoss]

Originally posted by: boggsie

Originally posted by: ggavinmoss

Originally posted by: Passions
DUDE HE'S GETTING MAJOR LOWBALLED MANG!!!! HE SHOULDN'T TAKE IT. HE SHOULD DEMAND 60K NO LESS!

Change your sig, it makes you seem like a total tool -- even more than the all-caps schtick.

-geoff

Doesn't his higher post count give him rank?

:roll:

If that's the basis for calling people out, then step back in line "Mr. 792 Posts!"

-geoff

 

[RichieZ]

Originally posted by: SuperTool
Yes, he is getting low balled. by about $20K. Interns will be making more per hour than him This is Silicon Valley for crying out loud. $40K is minum wage around here. If it was upstate NY, then $40K would be on the lower end but within shooting distance, but here, it's nothing. All of the people I know in this area got $60K + out of school with a bachelors. If someone offered me $40K, I would say thanks but I would rather go to grad school than waste my time working for that pittance. It's just not worth getting out of bed in the morning for that kind of money. So I would apply to grad schools instead.

9999 1 more to go for lifer. What to do, what to do?

haha ya, my internship pays more than that where I to work yr round. Of cousre I don't get medical/dental

 

[Yossarian]

game programmers have bad salaries. the hours are insane too.

 

[fs5]

Originally posted by: Astaroth33
Note that $40K is serious poverty level in Mtn. View, CA, experience or not. You can make more than that selling tires.

yeah but 1 year experience will really help him pad his resume. A cs degree from SJSU is nothing around here. after a year working there he can parlay that experience into something better