By the way I was a Computer Science, Network Security researcher in Italy until 2 days ago when I signed the contract for my very first permanent job in London.
I will be a 'regular' Software Developer for a gambling company based in Chiswick, W4 London starting from this September (22nd).

Big change.. but at least I have a permanent job (the researcher one was being conducted as post-doc).
I have been a software developer (no capital letters) since I discovered what a computer is (it was a Laser 500, similar to a C=64) back in the late 80s.
Actually I became a 'real' developer when I get my first Linux kernel (0.99pl13) running on my 386sx with 2Mb of RAM.

Ahh good old times..