[soiler]

How the hell did this person start their SWE career at the same time as me and come to feel they have an authoritative view on the state of the industry? Maybe it's because they're a recent grad and I'm an older career changer, but I still feel quite new to the industry.

[jacobolus]

You mean: How the hell does a 25-year-old who spent most of their life so far in school being taught to write affected essays on a tight deadline for points not have an excess of perspective, wisdom, and humility?

[sandworm101]

A part time job washing floors? Any hobby that puts them in contact with the not-highschool reality? Spend a few days in the mountains? Meet someone who got into a great school despite not getting an A+++ in highschool lit?

[oh_sigh]

I've been programming for 26 years, employed in the software industry for 20 years, been a SWE at multiple FANGs as well as a few smaller tech businesses, and I feel probably more similar to you than I do to the author regarding our views on the state of the industry.