John Miano
Founder of the Programmers Guild
Interview by Marianne Kolbasuk McGee
Photograph by James Leynse
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LAST STRAW After 18 years of computer programming, Miano decided in 2002 to go to law school. It was testifying before Congress against raising H-1B quotas and being frustrated by tech- industry lobbyists that made him shift careers. "Five of the eight [witnesses] were lawyers," he says. "Unless we fight this issue legally, we'll lose." |
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TRADE-OFFS Miano sold his Piper Dakota single-engine, four-seat plane to help pay for law school, but especially to avoid the aircraft's annual $15,000 maintenance costs while hitting the books. "Other law students got choked up when they heard about the plane--not because I sold it, but because they were racking up huge loans for their tuition." |
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JOB ADVICE American programmers shouldn't just complain about their jobs disappearing. "Get a backbone and stand up," he tells IT professionals. "Don't train the H-1B replacements your employers bring in. Get up and walk out." |
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WHAT HE TELLS KIDS If you want job security, "become a plumber or electrician. They're paid well and require skills you can't offshore." |
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PIANO MAN Miano, 45, enjoys playing classical compositions on the ivories. "I'm a music snob," he admits. But he also thinks musical talent runs through techie veins. "I've never met a good programmer who doesn't play an instrument." |