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diff --git a/programming/the_tragedy_of_the_geeks.md b/programming/the_tragedy_of_the_geeks.md deleted file mode 100644 index c1193d5f..00000000 --- a/programming/the_tragedy_of_the_geeks.md +++ /dev/null @@ -1,75 +0,0 @@ -# The tragedy of the geeks - -Since the first computer entered our home, I was hooked. -This happened more than four decades ago, and continuously tinkering with computers has given me a well-paid and comfortable job. - -However, getting such jobs seems linked to spending a significant amount of your personal time practicing your skills. - -Many people seek careers related to computing because jobs have attractive conditions. -However, they might later regret the time and energies spent trying to get into the field when they learn that getting a good job requires unexpected effort. - -This document tries to explain to people who want to work with computers this phenomenon, to help them make a better decision. - -## Tinkering - -Working with computers is the only career I can think of where all of the following are true at the same time: - -* You can work on personal projects that are very similar to the projects you would do in a job. -* There is a reputation of abundant well-paid job offers with good conditions. -* Working on personal projects sounds fun. - -This means that many of us end up spending a significant amount of time working on personal projects. -This time investment increases our skills and the things we know. - -## Hiring - -Hiring is one of the most highly debated topics in this industry. - -Many people believe that many candidates cannot do the job. -There are many stories about new hires who cannot write simple programs. - -Whether this is common or not is not as important as whether people making decisions believe there are large differences between candidates. -When people who hire think that their hiring decision is going to have a large effect on them, then they want to make sure that they pick the right person. - -My perception is that most of the organizations that offer good job conditions (and many who do not) try to be very selective in hiring people. - -## Hiring tinkerers - -When you are hiring people, candidates who have spent significant time on personal projects tend to stand out over candidates who have not. - -This improved perception during the hiring process does not necessarily relate to improved performance on the job. -However, I believe that people who tinker on their spare time tend to land better jobs. - -## Handing out advice - -Because there are good jobs working with computers, many people think about making a career in the industry. - -There are many curriculums and formal education programs, from shorter (typically one year) to longer (four or five years). - -Some of them provide advice to land a good job, and students who follow programs who do not, tend to ask for advice. -In any case, one of the most frequent pieces of advice on the topic, is tinkering on your own time. - -I believe this is actually good advice, as in that it's more likely to be an efficient way to increase your prospects. - -However, remember that hiring is roughly a competitive process. -An organization evaluates a group of candidates, and tries to pick the best one. - -So to stand out, if more candidates tinker (because this is effective advice), the more you need to tinker to stand out. - -I cannot estimate how much you need to tinker on your own time to land a good job, but my guess is that it is more than what someone wanting to get into the field expects. - -As long as this dynamic continues, the tinkering required to land a good job will increase. -Only reduced competition can reduce the tinkering required, and reduced competition can happen by few factors, such as increased demand for workers, or a reduction in job seekers. - -## Breaking the cycle - -I cannot think of much that we can individually do to break the cycle. - -Maybe if people coming into the field are aware of this phenomenon, they will be able to make a better decision about what to do. - -If a sufficient amount of people decide that the time investment is not worthwhile, then perhaps the competition will decrease. -And if people are well informed and decide to move forward, at least they will be less likely to become frustrated or regret their decision. - -## Further reading - -* [A paean to programming](https://bertrandmeyer.com/2025/04/23/a-paean-to-programming/), by [Bertrand Meyer](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bertrand_Meyer) |