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Where do “software engineers” get minted?

My best advice comes down to listening and learning, including paying attention to the whole business and not just your tech corner of it. Help and learn from your colleagues — your connections and friends will always have more value than any skills listed on your CV.

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I feel like "minted" should be in quotes, not "software engineer." Otherwise, yes, I deserve the snark for that. Also, thanks for the latter part of your comment, which is really insightful.

I’ve refused to refer to myself as a “software engineer” for four decades. I stick with “programmer” or “analyst” depending on the work. I don’t hold other titles against people who use them. The actual engineers I know have degrees and professional certifications that allow them to use the title, kind of like “doctor” or “professor.” That’s never the case with software engineers, who are programmers and/or analysts. I don’t say “developer” either. One time I used that in conversation and everyone thought I was in the business of building strip malls or condos.

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