5 ms·

Lack of Software Engineers Bears Risks

10 points by DanielRibeiro 15y ago

gaius 15y ago
Cheap, good, pick one. But there's no shortage in numbers, anyone who picks through CVs for their company will tell you that.
- Produce 15y ago
  I disagree. There is no shortage of people who think that they can program but, from experience, there is a huge shortage of people who actually know what they're doing.
  - noodle 15y ago
    "shortage" is relative. there's a shortage of people who actually know what they're doing who are willing to work for your company for how much you're willing to pay.
    - Produce 15y ago
      I don't own a company. This is from the perspective of a programmer.
geebee 15y ago
These articles are so common. While I agree that a "shortage" of software dev talent may be harming economic growth, I still think the article misses the point. People capable of becoming excellent devs (which requires high analytical ability, the capacity to read and absorb complex subject matter quickly, strong writing and communication skills, the personal mindset to persevere ande complete projects, creativity and the ability to self-start with minimal supervision or instruction)... well, these folks have a lot of options and may not be impressed with the pay and work conditions that would normally appeal to the average worker. I get it, you want talented devs. Now tell me why a talented person would become a dev instead of a cardiologist or banker. There are reasons, but this is the real issue, and I'm not sure I've ever seen an article lamenting a shortage addess it (those that do generally conclude that there is no shortage)
amcintyre 15y ago
From the article: "In this case, there are software engineers available but not with the skill set the companies are looking for." Well, at least not at the salary levels companies are offering. If you want MINT/STEM-knowledgeable people to solve hard problems for you, problems that your standard software engineer doesn't have the background to solve, why do you think those people will be content with standard software engineer pay?

10 points by DanielRibeiro 15y ago

gaius 15y ago

Cheap, good, pick one. But there's no shortage in numbers, anyone who picks through CVs for their company will tell you that.

Produce 15y ago
I disagree. There is no shortage of people who think that they can program but, from experience, there is a huge shortage of people who actually know what they're doing.
- noodle 15y ago
  "shortage" is relative. there's a shortage of people who actually know what they're doing who are willing to work for your company for how much you're willing to pay.
  - Produce 15y ago
    I don't own a company. This is from the perspective of a programmer.

geebee 15y ago

These articles are so common. While I agree that a "shortage" of software dev talent may be harming economic growth, I still think the article misses the point. People capable of becoming excellent devs (which requires high analytical ability, the capacity to read and absorb complex subject matter quickly, strong writing and communication skills, the personal mindset to persevere ande complete projects, creativity and the ability to self-start with minimal supervision or instruction)... well, these folks have a lot of options and may not be impressed with the pay and work conditions that would normally appeal to the average worker. I get it, you want talented devs. Now tell me why a talented person would become a dev instead of a cardiologist or banker. There are reasons, but this is the real issue, and I'm not sure I've ever seen an article lamenting a shortage addess it (those that do generally conclude that there is no shortage)

amcintyre 15y ago

From the article: "In this case, there are software engineers available but not with the skill set the companies are looking for." Well, at least not at the salary levels companies are offering. If you want MINT/STEM-knowledgeable people to solve hard problems for you, problems that your standard software engineer doesn't have the background to solve, why do you think those people will be content with standard software engineer pay?