Anyone familiar with software development?

I've been avoiding getting involved in this one, but I'll cave. My job doesn't revolve around programming, but rather various algorithm design and such. Consequently I do a lot of programming for implementing these ideas. The environment varies, but the concepts are the same. Recently one of our pet projects became a fully fledged product and we have to get into a "real" code cycle / release schedule. Now this goes for just me, but coding blows...I don't care if you're coding the coolest shit in the world. The only thing that excites me is "solving the problem" and designing out the theoretical solution. The rest is mindless, painful repition of code, debug, code, debug, release, feedback, debug, code, debug, release, etc. Thankfully my group lets me work on the "research" stage more often than not since that's where I shine 😛.

Over the years (and I've been doing research for a long time so don't let my age fool you), I've come to appreciate that knowing any single specific thing is nice, but being flexible is worth its weight in gold. My answer to any "can you program in XXXX" is absolutely and anything I don't know off the top of my head I can conceptually extend from other languages and pick it up very quickly with a reference manual. I've worked with .NET, 8 bit embedded uC's, LDDs, etc...once you "get it" making lateral moves between languages is relatively easy. So just start working on stuff "for fun" and you'll pick up some tips and tricks as you go. Find something that drives you otherwise everyday is going to be worse than the one before it.
 
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bradmcnutt said:
.... but chances are you're going to have to build up your skills and connections before winding up in a good situation.
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Then there is the 800 lb gorilla in the software room; you either got it, or you don't. There is a huge gap between the hot shoe and the guy barely hanging on to his job...some say the productivity ratio is 1:7 between your worst and best...and I've seen ratios as high as 1:21 in some studies. After managing these yahoos for 18 years, I can say it is extreme.

Acquiring skills & experience will only get you so high in that pecking order; you're either a hot shoe or you're not. And those of us who've been in the game awhile, will know where you're at before the seat of your chair is warmed up in the interview.
 
ellbiddy said:
Over the years (and I've been doing research for a long time so don't let my age fool you), I've come to appreciate that knowing any single specific thing is nice, but being flexible is worth its weight in gold. My answer to any "can you program in XXXX" is absolutely and anything I don't know off the top of my head I can conceptually extend from other languages and pick it up very quickly with a reference manual. I've worked with .NET, 8 bit embedded uC's, LDDs, etc...once you "get it" making lateral moves between languages is relatively easy. So just start working on stuff "for fun" and you'll pick up some tips and tricks as you go. Find something that drives you otherwise everyday is going to be worse than the one before it.
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Leo speaks the truth. A good software guy is a good software guy...they'll pick up what they need to.

Unfortunately, not all hiring managers out there are as "smart" as Leo (and me 😀), so there is value in getting up to speed in what is in demand.
 
While I'm not in the infotech industry I can tell you that what Forgeson says reigns true in many other industries as well. In engineering and construction it is the same way you either have it or you don't.

I run into design & field engineers all the time that are either of great value to the company or complete idiots attempting to justify their existence. Leadership is much the same way in my industry specifically we have TONS of managers with very few leaders.

My small piece of advice for you is find what "you get" and run with it. Your career will thank you in the long run.
 
Regardless of whether you're a top dog or not, software engineering is a great profession to get into. The demand is going to sky rocket in the years ahead (I continuously see it as one of the fastest growing professions) and the supply in this country at least just isn't going to be there. The pay is great, the working conditions in general are great and the culture in general is very laid back. Just find an aspect about it that you like (working on rich web clients, database work, writing algorithms for hedge funds) and go with it.
 
bradmcnutt said:
Regardless of whether you're a top dog or not, software engineering is a great profession to get into. The demand is going to sky rocket in the years ahead (I continuously see it as one of the fastest growing professions) and the supply in this country at least just isn't going to be there. The pay is great, the working conditions in general are great and the culture in general is very laid back. Just find an aspect about it that you like (working on rich web clients, database work, writing algorithms for hedge funds) and go with it.
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Supply in the US is generally a problem; I read somewhere (can't find it again), that the year I graduated with my CS degree was the peak year for US CS graduates. That was 1987. I need to find that again.
 
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