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Ask HN: Is “learn to code” now “learn to drive a big rig”?

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Re: Ask HN: Is “learn to code” now “learn to drive a big rig”?

#11

Post by sublinear »

dieselgate wrote: post #10
sublinear wrote: post #4

Earlier quoted context omitted.

There's also a very long tail of businesses that are not "big tech", but still have significant IT departments and pay well for "boring" work.

That's my impression as well. I don't understand the perspective of "is software engineering over because I can't make a quarter million base salary anymore?". I've always preferred smaller companies and never wanted to work at a large tech company - don't foresee much change in my future unless I willingly change industries for personal reasons

Yeah I mean what's so bad about half that pay and living somewhere affordable?

Re: Ask HN: Is “learn to code” now “learn to drive a big rig”?

#12

Post by dieselgate »

What exactly are the equivalencies between coding and driving a truck - is it supposed to relate an industry potentially ripe for automation or just an "expected" service many people rely on?

I find this all hilarious because just like 5 years ago so many were quoting Bill Gates saying "programming knowledge will be the literacy of the 21st century" and it depends. If people are all so genuinely interested in tech and coding in the first place what's the problem?

Re: Ask HN: Is “learn to code” now “learn to drive a big rig”?

#13

Post by AnIdiotOnTheNet »

logicalmonster wrote: post #7

Are these two points basically true? > As time goes on, businesses are continuing to rely on more software, not less software. > AI tools are very fascinating, but are nowhere near ready to replace most programmers for most tasks. If those points are true enough, developers as a group aren't going away, though some individuals might choose a different path.

More and more software does not necessarily require more and more developers to write it.

Re: Ask HN: Is “learn to code” now “learn to drive a big rig”?

#14

Post by SketchySeaBeast »

AnIdiotOnTheNet wrote: post #13
logicalmonster wrote: post #7

Are these two points basically true? > As time goes on, businesses are continuing to rely on more software, not less software. > AI tools are very fascinating, but are nowhere near ready to replace most programmers for most tasks. If those points are true enough, developers as a group aren't going away, though some individuals might choose a different path.

More and more software does not necessarily require more and more developers to write it.

There's plenty of low code / no code solutions right now and somehow programmers are still trucking along (pun intended).

Re: Ask HN: Is “learn to code” now “learn to drive a big rig”?

#16

Post by irvingprime »

The current state of the economy is not the permanent state of the economy. Many tech workers will see new opportunities, though not necessarily soon enough to stave off real hardships.

That being the case, there is no harm in learning another way to make a living. Having a fallback is always a good idea. If it becomes the main thing because your first career never came back, count yourself lucky and go with it.

Re: Ask HN: Is “learn to code” now “learn to drive a big rig”?

#17

Post by johngalt_ »

SketchySeaBeast wrote: post #14
AnIdiotOnTheNet wrote: post #13

Earlier quoted context omitted.

More and more software does not necessarily require more and more developers to write it.

There's plenty of low code / no code solutions right now and somehow programmers are still trucking along (pun intended).

Not to mention someone has to code the no code tool, alongside all the plugins, scripts and glue code that at some point will be required.

Re: Ask HN: Is “learn to code” now “learn to drive a big rig”?

#18

Post by shadowgovt »

Trades are a great idea.

... I don't think I'd specifically recommend "Learn to drive a big rig" though. In addition to the industry itself being a real bad deal for vehicle operators (https://www.nytimes.com/2022/02/09/business/truck-driver-sho...), it's the segment of the transportation sector centered in the crosshairs of disruption-through-automation.

The self-driving vehicle companies that laid off were, broadly speaking, the ones working on individual vehicles and taxi services, not the ones working on self-driving trucks. That sector is still going strong because the value proposition is simple and obvious (lives saved and money saved per mile).

Re: Ask HN: Is “learn to code” now “learn to drive a big rig”?

#19

Post by karaterobot »

I think it's probably inevitable that software development becomes another trade, or at least becomes less of a career hack — a fairly simple way to make an outsized amount of money given the rareness of the skill required. I don't know about the timeline for this happening, but I think it has to happen sooner or later.

I think it would be a mistake to switch to trucking right now, as despite delays with no end in sight, it does feel like some substantial use of automated driving in the commercial driving industry is coming eventually. I would expect that to reduce the market value of drivers. If someone wanted to become a truck driver, I'd say he'd better do it for the love rather than the money. Even though both careers are going to get shaken up, it's still a lot easier to make six figures in software for now.

In general, I roll my eyes when politicians suggest that people who lose their jobs due to industries shifting out from under them can just go learn new skills and get back on track. I haven't seen that happen. It feels like a pat on the back as you're shoving them out the door.

Re: Ask HN: Is “learn to code” now “learn to drive a big rig”?

#20

Post by shadowgovt »

braingenious wrote: post #8

I’d rather learn a trade like plumbing or electrical systems. Hell, the richest guy I’ve ever met ran a high-end masonry business.

The nice thing about masonry is it's a skillset that never ages out. Not as long as entropy exists.
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