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There's more to it than that. It's not just about a professional advantage - it's about company cultures that are toxic toward people with families. This quote

There's more to it than that. It's not just about a professional advantage - it's about company cultures that are toxic toward people with families. This quote for example: 'I’ve asked David Wong, working in the cryptocurrency team at Facebook, what would be the best way to be noticed by Facebook? He answered: “Side Projects” and “Blog”.' To many people with kids, that reads: Facebook doesn't want to hire engineers with families, because the things they care about from folks are diametrically opposed, in many cases, to the time required with children. I absolutely think that if you have the time and flexibility you should use it. But there are (and should be) other ways to stand out to companies or to create value that don't involve side gigs outside of the normal work day.

C1sc0cat 7y ago
And does Facebooks employee handbook allow side projects ?
crdoconnor 7y ago
I feel like there's an element of wanting to have and eat ones cake here. Programming isn't so different to playing a music instrument - you become better through a lot of deliberate, sustained practice. like it or not, people who have the time and inclination can jump ahead of others in competence the same way a musician who practices 8 hours a day can. It's not particularly compatible with having kids, but it makes you a better musician. I'm all in favour of finding better ways to let programmers who don't have side projects stand out but I don't think that devaluing side projects is the way to do that.