> you don't have to leave software to find a job that isn't shit.

What you say sounds plausible, but it runs counter to my anecdotal experience.

I've been doing software for over a decade and none of my jobs have been shit. Perhaps I've just vetted potential employers prudently enough (For example I've said in interviews I consider crunches to be a management failure - you need to say it with true compassion though and not sound like arrogant asshole)

I totally agree with this, but where do you live where this exists?

I think there are more 35k a year jobs waiting tables in a beach town than there are 150k a year programming jobs in Santa Monica?

Sure there are. But if you compare available jobs the situation might be different.

Here (EU) it is much easier to find a non-sucking job as a developer as opposed to being a waiter. The people who are trying to find developers have finally figured out that it pays to be nice, if for no other reason, because people talk. If you screw your workers over, you have trouble getting new hires. And it really doesn't cost you much, if anything, to make good working conditions.

EDIT: sorry, software sales is different... probably the same here. :(

On the other hand a job you enjoy and that pays enough for you isn't shit, is it?

He was in software sales FYI

And, while I haven't worked in that department so I can't really say for certain that the team leads don't slight the people they're managing, it's a small enough company that the culture is pretty consistent.

Except sales cultures are typically _very_ different from the rest of a company.