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Career Advice from Scott Adams (2007)

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Re: Career Advice from Scott Adams (2007)

#21

tl;dr Don't try to be the best at something, it's too hard. Be good at a couple of things and make a living in the Venn diagram intersection. It's a nice idea, but I struggle when I get to "software and ..." Cartoons? Cycling? DIY?

Sales? How much of an edge does being a competent developer anyway provide you when it comes to high margin software selling?

Re: Career Advice from Scott Adams (2007)

#22
post #11

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Yeah I think people misread Scott. He's always had crazy ideas, but they've been well-articulated and always delivered with a healthy dose of humility. He doesn't take himself too seriously. Whereas many see him as a troll, I think he's a true contrarian in a sea of fashionable contrarians.

For a guy who doesn't take himself too seriously, he sure creates a lot of sockpuppets to argue with his detractors and sing his own praises.

I feel like anyone who makes knowledge of their MESNA membership public takes themselves fairly seriously...

Re: Career Advice from Scott Adams (2007)

#23
post #11

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Yeah I think people misread Scott. He's always had crazy ideas, but they've been well-articulated and always delivered with a healthy dose of humility. He doesn't take himself too seriously. Whereas many see him as a troll, I think he's a true contrarian in a sea of fashionable contrarians.

For a guy who doesn't take himself too seriously, he sure creates a lot of sockpuppets to argue with his detractors and sing his own praises.

I'd like to know more about the sockpuppets.

Re: Career Advice from Scott Adams (2007)

#24

tl;dr Don't try to be the best at something, it's too hard. Be good at a couple of things and make a living in the Venn diagram intersection. It's a nice idea, but I struggle when I get to "software and ..." Cartoons? Cycling? DIY?

The easiest example would be to be better than 75% of developers at front end development & better than 75% of developers at back end development

That skill level would likely make you very valuable to startups.

Re: Career Advice from Scott Adams (2007)

#25
post #11

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Yeah I think people misread Scott. He's always had crazy ideas, but they've been well-articulated and always delivered with a healthy dose of humility. He doesn't take himself too seriously. Whereas many see him as a troll, I think he's a true contrarian in a sea of fashionable contrarians.

For a guy who doesn't take himself too seriously, he sure creates a lot of sockpuppets to argue with his detractors and sing his own praises.

[citation needed]

Re: Career Advice from Scott Adams (2007)

#26
That's good advice. Find a niche basically.

It don't think it works for every career though. Being good or even being the most skilled at a niche. Musicians and actors, any job that has as much to do with popularity as with skill. Very few make it and the ones that do, don't seem better than most of the ones that dont.

I have been listening to enough open mic nights and small time bar gigs to think so. Its sad really, how many talented musicians there is in this world that never make it. Music that gives you the chills. And then you put on the radio and its an endless stream of crap.

My career advice would be, don't get into anything that requires popularity. Its a cruel world out there.

Re: Career Advice from Scott Adams (2007)

#27

Earlier quoted context omitted.

For a guy who doesn't take himself too seriously, he sure creates a lot of sockpuppets to argue with his detractors and sing his own praises.

[citation needed]

http://comicsalliance.com/scott-adams-plannedchaos-sockpuppe...

http://blog.dilbert.com/post/102881515756/planned-chaos

Re: Career Advice from Scott Adams (2007)

#30
post #26

That's good advice. Find a niche basically. It don't think it works for every career though. Being good or even being the most skilled at a niche. Musicians and actors, any job that has as much to do with popularity as with skill. Very few make it and the ones that do, don't seem better than most of the ones that dont. I have been listening to enough open mic nights and small time bar gigs to think so. Its sad really…

Scott says: 1. Become the best at one specific thing. 2. Become very good (top 25%) at two or more things.

You raise a fascinating point. Following Scott's format. I wonder if a person can: 1. be the very best musician. 2. Be very good at networking (top 25%) or playing at events .

Now my question to you, petke. With those two things, would any person wanting to be a musician be a successful musician?

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