There are 2 types of software engineer: those who understand computer science well enough to do challenging, innovative work, and those who just get by because they’re familiar with a few high level tools
.
Both call themselves software engineers, and both tend to earn similar salaries in their early careers
. But Type 1 engineers grow in to more fulfilling and well-remunerated work over time, whether that’s valuable commercial work or breakthrough open-source projects, technical leadership or high-quality individual contributions
.
Type 1 engineers find ways to learn computer science in depth, whether through conventional means or by relentlessly learning throughout their careers
. Type 2 engineers typically stay at the surface, learning specific tools and technologies rather than their underlying foundations, only picking up new skills when the winds of technical fashion change
.
Currently, the number of people entering the industry is rapidly increasing, while the number of CS grads is essentially static
. This oversupply of Type 2 engineers is starting to reduce their employment opportunities and keep them out of the industry’s more fulfilling work
. Whether you’re striving to become a Type 1 engineer or simply looking for more job security, learning computer science is the only reliable path.
There are 2 types of software engineer: those who understand computer science well enough to do challenging, innovative work, and those who just get by because they’re familiar with a few high level tools
.
Both call themselves software engineers, and both tend to earn similar salaries in their early careers
. But Type 1 engineers grow in to more fulfilling and well-remunerated work over time, whether that’s valuable commercial work or breakthrough open-source projects, technical leadership or high-quality individual contributions
.
Type 1 engineers find ways to learn computer science in depth, whether through conventional means or by relentlessly learning throughout their careers
. Type 2 engineers typically stay at the surface, learning specific tools and technologies rather than their underlying foundations, only picking up new skills when the winds of technical fashion change
.
Currently, the number of people entering the industry is rapidly increasing, while the number of CS grads is essentially static
. This oversupply of Type 2 engineers is starting to reduce their employment opportunities and keep them out of the industry’s more fulfilling work
. Whether you’re striving to become a Type 1 engineer or simply looking for more job security, learning computer science is the only reliable path.
