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More food for thought: https://hn.algolia.com/?query=generalist&sort=byPopularity&prefix&page=0&dateRange=all&type=story https://hn.algolia.com/?query=generali
by JoelMcCracken 10y ago
More food for thought:
https://hn.algolia.com/?query=generalist&sort=byPopularity&prefix&page=0&dateRange=all&type=story https://hn.algolia.com/?query=generalist&sort=byPopularity&p...
https://hn.algolia.com/?query=rennaissance%20man&sort=byPopularity&prefix&page=0&dateRange=all&type=story https://hn.algolia.com/?query=rennaissance%20man&sort=byPopu...
https://hn.algolia.com/?query=specialist%20vs%20generalist&sort=byPopularity&prefix&page=0&dateRange=all&type=story https://hn.algolia.com/?query=specialist%20vs%20generalist&s...
Personally, I like having a variety of skills. I want to be able to dip in anywhere on a project and be productive.
You'll naturally have focuses, or drips of paint, which I see is referenced in another post. Your focus really can only be on one thing at a time, and presumably you're not just learning for its own sake, you will be learning to accomplish some goal, which will drive the learning.
I'd rather work with a well-rounded engineer than one that is a poor communicator, tool user, etc but has very excellent skills in a very specific area.
YMMV. There is lots of value in having deep skill sets. There is also a difference between being a "dabbler"/"knowing enough to be dangerous" and being a competent engineer.