You are correct, we are in the middle of a "Great Dev Drought," keyword being "Great" or rather talented. I don't have any hard data for you per se, but I can tell you that of the ~100 candidates we've interviewed for a junior Rails position, we've accepted approximately 2%.
Our entire pool is filled with software engineers and web developers that look very qualified on paper. However, it's hard to find someone with a good mix of (1) theoretical computer science knowledge, (2) practical programming experience, (3) problem solving skills, and (4) the drive to be truly great.
I have one piece of advice: If you are simply looking to "pivot" into programming for a job and because it's the hot thing to do, then don't! But if anything programming and computers is truly your passion; if it excites you so much that you have trouble sleeping; if you couldn't imagine your life doing anything else, then go for it by all mens. The odds are stacked against you, but you can beat them if you work hard. Good luck!
I hate this sort of advice that's centered around passion. I don't think you have to be passionate about programming necessarily, just passionate about accomplishing something meaningful while having the requisite problem solving skills to get the work done. I think someone with an analytical mind, who is at good problem solving and enjoys accomplishing STUFF will probably come to love programming if she or he throws themselves at it.
The kind of person that knows already that she loves programming probably already has a job as a programmer.
Comments
You are correct, we are in the middle of a "Great Dev Drought," keyword being "Great" or rather talented. I don't have any hard data for you per se, but I can tell you that of the ~100 candidates we've interviewed for a junior Rails position, we've accepted approximately 2%.
Our entire pool is filled with software engineers and web developers that look very qualified on paper. However, it's hard to find someone with a good mix of (1) theoretical computer science knowledge, (2) practical programming experience, (3) problem solving skills, and (4) the drive to be truly great.
I have one piece of advice: If you are simply looking to "pivot" into programming for a job and because it's the hot thing to do, then don't! But if anything programming and computers is truly your passion; if it excites you so much that you have trouble sleeping; if you couldn't imagine your life doing anything else, then go for it by all mens. The odds are stacked against you, but you can beat them if you work hard. Good luck!
I hate this sort of advice that's centered around passion. I don't think you have to be passionate about programming necessarily, just passionate about accomplishing something meaningful while having the requisite problem solving skills to get the work done. I think someone with an analytical mind, who is at good problem solving and enjoys accomplishing STUFF will probably come to love programming if she or he throws themselves at it.
The kind of person that knows already that she loves programming probably already has a job as a programmer.
100 candidates for a junior Rails position? Egadz. That's not super encouraging.
What are some things that you find disqualify candidates when you interview them?
Or conversely, what makes candidates look especially good when you're narrowing it down?
I can't talk about specifics in public, but shoot me an e-mail (address in profile) and I will provide you with some guidance if you'd like.
FYI on hacker news, your email address is only visible to you.
no email in profile. please update :)