I started one job as a software dev and new starters had to spend the first two weeks with customer support, answering requests and basically just learning abou

I started one job as a software dev and new starters had to spend the first two weeks with customer support, answering requests and basically just learning about what the users generally experienced. It was onboarding so I was still setting up my environment at the same time, but I credit that startup for shifting me to a much more empathic mindset where I would learn how to question designs based on my own understanding of what it would be like for someone to have to interact with it. It also resulted in me getting on especially well with the support team. Honestly I wish more places would do onboarding that way. Put new hires on the front-line as it were, so they understand the product from the perspective of users and those who have to run support. Maybe give people refreshers every year or so, so they don't become detached from the reality of using the product.