Ask HN: What career should bright 22 y/o people pursue in 2022?

2 points·WFHRenaissance··5 comments

Is "learning to code" still a viable path, given the crowded job market for junior engineers?

If not... what would you recommend your child or a bright young person do instead?

Inb4: yes I know the value of learning about software engineering/scripting without becoming a programmer. I'm specifically concerned with what career path makes the most sense.

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Makes the most sense in context of what? Do what you're passionate for.

And forget about the market being crowded, most 'engineers' can barely switch a computer on, you need to actually learn the fundamentals.

Be one of the people who writes frameworks (tools or whatever) and not one of the people who uses them and that alone will put you above 99.9% of other 'developers'.

I'd only suggest they go into programming if they enjoy programming in and of itself. If they do not enjoy programming, it will be a lifelong slog to stand out sufficiently to have a decent career versus the horde of others who do not enjoy programming and are only in the profession for the money.

By 22 people usually have some idea about what they like and what they’re good at. Or at least an idea about what they don’t like. That’s a much better signal than “HN recommends”.

If cash is not a problem I would say medicine at some level. Reasonable to good compensation and great job security. Might have regional restrictions based on field. If cash is a problem, choose something that can’t be outsourced but that has to be done. Trades, high end maintenance, things like that. No pizzazz but, again no problems finding work or watching it offshore.

To do tech, be visible and be good. There’s no need for training if you are lucky and there are foss tools and projects you can work with. It doesn’t require formal training.

Goat farmer

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