I work in a small office that does web development and I see this all day, every day. Kids (god i'm old) 8-10 years younger then me, fresh out of college, up to their ears in student debt and their "there for the paycheck"<p>(gonna make some generalizations here)
Your college education doesn't mean shit to an employer. Great - you've got a piece of paper saying you can sit in class, learn from someone, consistently for 4 years. My 2 decades of real world programming experience trumps you all day (no, i didn't goto college)<p>So while your sitting there looking at stupid pictures on facebook, or going out late at night - i'm working my ass off and building my portfolio when I get home. And when I go looking for the next job, I'll take a new title and more pay while you make a lateral move.<p>Wake up guys - theres too much damn competition out there. At 34, I don't feel like I've come close to peaking.<p>When your employer tells you "we hired you because we recognized your drive and work ethic" - thats a compliment you earn; not pay for.