Stop conflating programming with a career in IT

Something I've noticed since joining this community is that a lot of people seem to think that programming (or learning how to code) necessarily means a career in tech/IT. I couldn't disagree more.<br><br>As a EE with a rather proficent and useful programming skillset; I couldn't be further from the IT industry. I do my work in MATLAB and Python. Sure, I could do exactly the same work in C++ or Java if I wanted to, but the flexibility of these two languages makes it easier for me to do what I do best. I've worked at both large industrial corporations and at academic institutions. <br><br>I've programmed PLCs, stepper motors, daq systems. I've made GUIs for the same systems, with the express purpose of creating a program that can be used by those who are not proficient in programming. I've modified open-source software to fill the necessities of the company/institution I work for. I've created new algorithms. I've tested and confirmed the efficacy of those algorithms. I've modified existing algorithms. I've ported code from one language to another. I've even tried to port code from one language to another when said code was provided in a pseudocode that doesn't resemble any real programming language.<br><br>It seems like there are a lot of conflations happening. Code doesn't necessarily mean 1s and 0s. Programming doesn't necessarily mean tech development. Software development doesn't necessarily mean that the end goal is an app or an OS.<br><br>Sure, there are plenty of positions in tech that I am qualified and would be suitable for, but if I ever go into tech it will be because I want a massive pay increase with job security. There are plenty of satisfying and fulfilling jobs outside of tech where programming is a critical component of ones profession. <br><br>So, yeah.