[lug] Career advice

[Rob Nagler]

Michael J. Hammel writes:
> Become a software architect.  We have plenty of people who can write
> code.  We don't have nearly enough who can define how systems should be
> built.  That's because most engineers are terrible communicators.  And
> software architects can't afford to be the same.

I strongly agree with "this is so much fun".  It's really great to
hear you (Michael) are having fun.  I think that's the most important
thing in any career path.

I have to disagree with the concept of Software Architecture as a
career.  I don't think it's a healthy career path.  

Rather I think it is much better to learn how to code and to code
extremely well.  If you can, do this with a group of people who are
smarter and more experienced than you.  One litmus test for
"experience" is if they actually have a test suite which they use to
code.  Learn to test and code at the same time.  They use the same
mechanics, but testing is a different sort of reasoning than coding.

Work *really* hard.  Make lots of mistakes.  Admit you made them and
learn from them.  I have memories of being quite embarrassed when
making mistakes in front of people I highly respected.  Those memories
stay alive (without being oppressive) and I learned those lessons the
best.

If you need someone else's opinion -- "who is an authority"
(did I mention "question authority?" ;-) -- about why Software
Architecture is problematic, read this:

http://www.joelonsoftware.com/articles/fog0000000018.html

Happy New Year!

Rob