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amosquito | 6 years ago
Software Engineering has a massive IQ-based barrier to entry. Not only that, your advantages are in large part, from a purely technical perspective, are reflected in your ability to consume algorithms, techniques, and hold more variables in your head at a faster rate than others.
It's an incredibly unique union of art and engineering, we are in demand as every industry needs it, and there is a genetic bottleneck.
We suffer from massive privilege because even semi-technical people have no idea what the fuck we are doing, so oversight is limited at best.
As someone who came from being a huge overachiever in a different industry, we are insanely privileged.
organsnyder|6 years ago
Certain people do tend to have an easier time with skills that make it easier to be a developer, but there is a VAST untapped potential of people that think of our work as "coding" and assume they're unable to learn. We really need an influx of people with systems thinking and other "high-level" abilities—development skills are required, but not the deep technical abilities our field has traditionally prized.
I've worked with plenty of "genius" types who can write advanced algorithms with lightning speed, but aren't able to see their work in a larger context—nor able to explain to others what they're doing. And I've worked with "normal" people (usually with an oversized dose of Imposter Syndrome) who are so much more effective because they understand the why as well as the how, while also being better communicators.
And let's cut out the IQ bullshit until there's a proven link between IQ and ability to deliver business value.
Consultant32452|6 years ago
>A growing body of research suggests general cognitive ability may be the best predictor of job performance.
I don't think there's any doubt between IQ and delivering business value. Some argue EQ is more valuable, but that doesn't mean IQ isn't important.
overkalix|6 years ago
tmn|6 years ago