In the 80-90s, IT computer occupations were in high demands everywhere, with luxurious salary. Then suddenly, universities and colleges were bombarded with IT students. The computer science program became so popular that the competition and high salary began to threatened many both graduating CS students and companies when the new millennia began, and many got laid off.
As for me, I have never intended myself to follow this pathetic trend. It was either through some researching job or my own creative means to make a living. After all, I have always strongly believed that we study for knowledge, not for good paying jobs.
I wonder if this kind of full-time occupation is gradually extinct? Now that many would rather hire part timers, freelancers for their programming, support, maintenance and consulting needs. Take www.getafreelancer.com and www.getacoder.com for instance.