Tech jobs have an image problem, and it's making the skills shortage worse

As Xah Lee says, we need less tech geekers. More hackers. This is a scientific certainty.

tech geeker: (noun) A programer nerd who are ignorant of social sciences yet persistently loud of his opinions on many social issues related to programing, such as language popularity, pros and cons of GUI, software engineering practices, software license issues, IT industry practices, ethics of corporations.

1. Nobody wants to be a nerd, and tech jobs are still associated with nerds.

2. Tech is thankless work that isn't easily contained within a 40 hour workweek without constant struggle.

3. Getting paid for overtime in this trade is rare unless willing to deal with the headaches that come with being a 1099 contractor.

4. If you're conventionally attractive, sociable, and likeable there are easier ways to make a living than tech.

5. Tech is for people without options. As long as kids think that only socially awkward, ugly guys go into this business, that's were you're going to get your talent. You don't have to be autistic or a misanthrope to work in this trade, but it certainly helps.

I've been in tech for almost 30 years

There has never been a skills shortage

There is a shortage of jobs

As evidenced by stagnating wages and IT personnel who never get their first job in IT, and those who transition out of IT because they can't find jobs.

This recent thread provides some critical insights into that company and its practices:

https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=28196992