5 ms·

The problem here is that PhD's should not be applying for developer jobs. It's like a fluid mechanics expert applying for a job as a plumber.

bluekeybox 13y ago
Wrong analogy. Your analogy compares demands of a specialized non-intellectual profession (plumbing) that does not value general problem solving with abilities of someone who is purportedly good in general problem-solving in addition to possessing industry-specific expert knowledge (your fluid mechanics expert). While here we are talking about a profession (software engineering) that does value general problem-solving ability except it also requires additional industry-specific expert knowledge.
- protomyth 13y ago
  "specialized non-intellectual profession (plumbing) that does not value general problem solving" Haven't worked with any plumber I take it? A plumber does quite a bit of general problem solving.
  - eru 13y ago
    Yes. So the distinction is more like abstract problem solving.
- wavefunction 13y ago
  Your description of plumbing is so off that I don't know where to begin. I assume you have a similar conception about other "working class" professions? My brother was "just" a welder and could look at the blueprints produced and approved by experienced architects and engineers and tell them exactly why their designs would fail under load and how to fix them on the fly without massive cost overruns. I urge you to reconsider your preconceptions about people working in "non-intellectual" professions.
  - bluekeybox 13y ago
    I'm very impressed by your brother's ability, and I believe that if he exercised it to its full extent, he would not be "just a welder" as you describe.
    - wavefunction 13y ago
      Well that's why I put it in quotation marks, to indicate that the description was a bit sarcastic. He worked as a welder for a good ten years (17-27) before going to college to get a degree in construction management. My main point is that people in the "trades" are often just as intellectual and capable as anyone else might be.
batguano 13y ago
Reminds me of the classic joke: A surgeon has a backed up sink, and he calls a plumber. The plumber comes, works for 15 minutes, fixes the drain, and gives the surgeon his bill. "Six hundred dollars?!?," the surgeon exclaims. "For fifteen minutes? I'm a surgeon and even I don't make that kind of money!" "Yeah," replies the plumber. "I didn't make that kind of money when I was a surgeon, either."
- seanmcdirmid 13y ago
  I will take a pay cut to do the research i want to do, and I would do for free otherwise.
  - deleted 13y ago
    [deleted]
- eob 13y ago
  This is great :)
eriksank 13y ago
That would be the same like saying that PhD's should not be applying for jobs that require typing, or touching a keyboard in any way. It would be like a fluid mechanics expert applying for a job as a secretary.
hacknat 13y ago
I think this analogy sums up the problem and the social dilemma it creates quite nicely. Who wants to hire someone who has past experience that pretty readily indicates they will not be interested in the work you are providing them.

bluekeybox 13y ago

Wrong analogy. Your analogy compares demands of a specialized non-intellectual profession (plumbing) that does not value general problem solving with abilities of someone who is purportedly good in general problem-solving in addition to possessing industry-specific expert knowledge (your fluid mechanics expert). While here we are talking about a profession (software engineering) that does value general problem-solving ability except it also requires additional industry-specific expert knowledge.

protomyth 13y ago
"specialized non-intellectual profession (plumbing) that does not value general problem solving" Haven't worked with any plumber I take it? A plumber does quite a bit of general problem solving.
- eru 13y ago
  Yes. So the distinction is more like abstract problem solving.
wavefunction 13y ago
Your description of plumbing is so off that I don't know where to begin. I assume you have a similar conception about other "working class" professions? My brother was "just" a welder and could look at the blueprints produced and approved by experienced architects and engineers and tell them exactly why their designs would fail under load and how to fix them on the fly without massive cost overruns. I urge you to reconsider your preconceptions about people working in "non-intellectual" professions.
- bluekeybox 13y ago
  I'm very impressed by your brother's ability, and I believe that if he exercised it to its full extent, he would not be "just a welder" as you describe.
  - wavefunction 13y ago
    Well that's why I put it in quotation marks, to indicate that the description was a bit sarcastic. He worked as a welder for a good ten years (17-27) before going to college to get a degree in construction management. My main point is that people in the "trades" are often just as intellectual and capable as anyone else might be.

batguano 13y ago

Reminds me of the classic joke: A surgeon has a backed up sink, and he calls a plumber. The plumber comes, works for 15 minutes, fixes the drain, and gives the surgeon his bill. "Six hundred dollars?!?," the surgeon exclaims. "For fifteen minutes? I'm a surgeon and even I don't make that kind of money!" "Yeah," replies the plumber. "I didn't make that kind of money when I was a surgeon, either."

seanmcdirmid 13y ago
I will take a pay cut to do the research i want to do, and I would do for free otherwise.
- deleted 13y ago
  [deleted]
eob 13y ago
This is great :)

eriksank 13y ago

That would be the same like saying that PhD's should not be applying for jobs that require typing, or touching a keyboard in any way. It would be like a fluid mechanics expert applying for a job as a secretary.

hacknat 13y ago

I think this analogy sums up the problem and the social dilemma it creates quite nicely. Who wants to hire someone who has past experience that pretty readily indicates they will not be interested in the work you are providing them.