Outsourcing hits US techies hard

Times of India ^ | MAY 26, 2003 | CHIDANAND RAJGHATTA

[BrooklynGOP]

Americans just do not realize how good we have it over here. There are people in other countries willing to work harder for much less.

If their cost of living was as high there as it is here, then perhaps they couldn't be willing to work harder for "much less".

Maybe instead of trying to keep them out, we should develop a set of values that insure we do not become less valuable workers to this nation's employers.

There are 2 billion ppl between China and India. Good luck.

[Incorrigible]

My suggestion.  Tell them not to artificially limit themselves to engineering.

After graduation, I swore I would never take another engineering class as long as I lived!  I didn't.  I got my MBA.

The cool thing about being an engineer in an MBA class is while everyone else is struggling with simple integration equations in economics, the engineer can breeze through much of the math requirements of an MBA.  In fact, I was allowed to get a pass on several of the more basic math class requirements.

In my 15 years since graduation, I've drifted between development, consulting, management and sales.  I'm currently in sales.  I'm feeling pretty secure at the moment until everyone is willing to accept tele-video sales calls from India!

Having the dedication it takes to become an engineer means you can exploit that perseverance in any line of work.  Don't let the current market get them down.

[Pukin Dog]

Oh what a GREAT POINT!!!

I wonder if he might have ever considered using his experience to train others?

No, I guess it's much easier to just blame the world and check out.

[Ed_in_NJ]

Government.

[BrooklynGOP]

I wonder if he might have ever considered using his experience to train others?

That's retarded. Who's he going to train if there is no demand for IT labor in US?

[Pukin Dog]

My experience tells me that your "Cost of Living" is whatever you want it to be.

Most of us are living the "Cost of keeping up with the Joneses" rather than the cost of living.

If 2 billion Chinese and Indians are willing to out work and out think me, then I guess they deserve to live better than me.

[hedgetrimmer]

Welding, power plant operation, car repair.

[Normal4me]

>>"Do you have a clue what the job market will be in 4 years? What I'm asking, what should this years high school grads be majoring in for future job potential?

Yeah, Nursing. All the old people will be dieing off soon and they need someone to change their crappy diapers. Enjoy life! ;-) (/sarcasm?)

[EverOnward]

Re your post #7.

I know great kids who have graduated from college over a year ago with engineering degrees (Virginia Tech) and have yet to find a job. Talked to a friend of mine whose daughter just graduated with a teaching degree -- hasn't found work. The smaller communities where her daughter would like to teach, cannot afford more teachers. One person out of that graduating class has found a job so far. Many of these kids are continuing their education simply because there are no jobs.

[Political Junkie Too]

I just find it interesting that companies in the United States use the US's copyright laws, legal system, and military to protect their rights, but won't show allegience to the citizens of the country that allowed them to become the successful multinational corporations that they are today. American corporations are so focused on diversity in the workplace, especially diversity towards foreign workers, but don't think twice about any sense of patriotism towards the people who keep the country that protects these corporation afloat.

-PJ

[BrooklynGOP]

My experience tells me that your "Cost of Living" is whatever you want it to be.

Sure. So if I am used to living in a decent apartment and own a car, and eat out once in a while and then you have a bunch of people who are fine living dozen to a room and eating once a day... You are right. Its totally unreasonable for me to desire to keep my standard of living. I should pool my money with several other IT workers and share my 1 bedroom and car with 10 other people, thus driving my cost of living down. Cool.

[Pukin Dog]

We would not be having this conversation, were their no demand.

I just got my first computer 7 weeks ago, after 21 years in the Navy. He could train me!

[Pukin Dog]

If others are willing to make those sacrifices, and you are not, then why should they not take your job?

[Rebelbase]

The article speaks well of avoiding programming as career, unless you wish to work in India.

[BrooklynGOP]

I just got my first computer 7 weeks ago, after 21 years in the Navy. He could train me!

Obviously you have little to no clue as to what's going on in the real world. He didn't train those Indians on how to use a computer, nor did he give them general technical skills. He showed them how the bank's proprietary system works. Much like "training" the guy who valet parks cars by showing him where to put the keys.

[BrooklynGOP]

If others are willing to make those sacrifices, and you are not, then why should they not take your job?

Are you willing to make that sacrifice? Live 10 to a room, etc?

[Pukin Dog]

No, I have no clue, you are right.

Nope, I only flew jets for two decades, while managing to save enough money to not be worried about finding a job anytime soon.

No, I would say I am just clueless.

Have a nice day.

[oceanview]

Ernest Hollings was on with Lou Dobbs tonight talking about this phenomena. I am telling you, the Dems are going to pick this up as an issue. Its not just IT, its human resources departments, customer service, financial services, basically any job that can be done using a computer terminal is going to be offshored by US corporate management who use the savings to put into their own pockets. This is going to be a big issue, not that the Dems will do anything about it, but they will talk about it and promise programs for the displaced workers, and believe me they will gain votes from it.

There just aren't enough service jobs that pay high wages to support a middle class in this country if all of these "information" jobs go overseas.

[EverOnward]

The John Pickle Co., manufacturer of industrial equipment—including boilers and other pressure holding vessels—finds itself in a pickle of a lawsuit due to its practice of holding welders from India as virtual slaves, reports the Tulsa World.

However, the more important issue—the lack of any need to import welders—is not addressed.

Pickle has been contracting with Al Samit International, a Bombay, India, recruiting company which charges Indian nationals up to $2,500 to find them work in the United States. That amount is a fortune for the average Indian, who must gain a high income as justification for such a layout. Once the money is obligated to Al Samit there is no backing out of the deal.

Al Samit, at the last minute, demands investors sign contracts which result in pay of between $2.31 to $3.17 hourly, little different from India’s wages. The contractees actually work for Al Samit while companies such as Pickle contract their labor.

SIMILAR TO PRISONS

When workers arrive at John Pickle Co. they are housed inside a compound at the factory under least expensive circumstances similar to prison setups. They are not allowed to leave the premises unless accompanied by factory agents. Their work day is reportedly from 12 to 18 hours.

Complainers have been unceremoniously returned to India or shipped to another John Pickle Co. plant in Kuwait to work under similar circumstances.

For full article see:

http://www.americanfreepress.net/Free_Trade/H1-B_Visas_Shaft_U_S__Workers/h1-b_visas_shaft_u_s__workers.html

[EverOnward]

Re your post #30

You are so right.