Got up this morning, went for a walk – logged on to see if there were any replies to my employment applications. None. Been doing this almost everyday mon-fri for coming up to two years since my RIF from F5.
Found two more software engineer/developer openings so crafted an application for the first and sent it. Started crafting the second application and stopped. Why am I doing this? With the state of software development as it is, when all you have to do is pay $1000 to $3000 for a 1 to 3 day course to get guaranteed certification of Expert or Black Belt level, it trivializes what software engineering is. I choose not to be a part of the game anymore. I’m giving up seeking new employment and will let it find me if the software gods so choose.
There was a time early on where software development required being a craftsman and artisan. I was working at a company that was in the first 100 that applied and received its domain registration in the 1980s. Those were good and exciting times. You were a part of something greater. Bugs/Errors/Failures as a result of your work were not an option. If something did come up, that became the first priority to solve (that day). The customer needed to trust you. That doesn’t exist anymore. F5 (as well as other corporations) willingly and routinely release software that has multiple serious issues. Big IP Next is a prime example. Development methods of Agile, Scrum, and SAFe were adopted that have no engineering validity to being used, but they are used anyway.
There are likely hundreds of reasons why I should continue seeking employment – all likely are valid. I choose to be the craftsman/artisan and that type of position will have to find me. If it doesn’t so be it.