> to convince the recruiters. The employer is the one with a skills need. Arguably, I'm in need of resources. However, coding shops are a dime a dozen. I know

> to convince the recruiters. The employer is the one with a skills need. Arguably, I'm in need of resources. However, coding shops are a dime a dozen. I know I can build and ship software. I've proven it to get where I am today. I'm not too interested in proving it to someone who will forget my name in a week. I've also proven I can lazily apply to places, ignore interviews with this coding challenge mess, and pay attention to the shops that actually talk to me about my strengths and their needs before anyone opens a CLI. So, is there a STEM shortage? If yes, then the recruiters and companies are the ones hurt by the 'convince the recruiters' mindset. If there isn't, then I'm hurt by being less competitive. Who knows what the future will look like, but despite all the language and shenanigans to the contrary, I know my company needs me more than I need it.