"No one’s heard of a starving craftsman, just starving artists, and for a reason. Craftsmen create something people need. You’ve mastered a few important skills and moved up in the company. The important aspect here is that as you reach out to a greater community, you realize that there are plenty of people who are more skilled than you and who are still learning. Learn from them.

Gaining textbook skills or collecting certifications isn’t the point anymore; it’s applying all this knowledge in practical ways. Along the journey, you need to watch out for your best career interests and make sure that what you’re doing is what you want to do. For example, many get lost in promotions that lure them away from what they like doing, whether that’s programming or writing.

Finally, don’t underestimate perpetual learning. This is the key to the long road. Take time to practice, even if your job doesn’t seem to allow it. Learn new skills or apply existing skills in new ways. Along with practice comes failure, but don’t let that discourage you."

https://robertdelwood.medium.com/book-review-apprenticeship-patterns-guidance-for-the-aspiring-software-craftsman-808c95ee478e

#Craftsmanship #Craftsman #TechnicalWriting #SoftwareDevelopment #Programming #TechnicalCommunication

  • SmokeyDope@lemmy.worldEnglish
    4·
    14 days ago

    First off its a huge stretch to call programmers ‘craftsman’ in any traditional sense.

    No, sitting at home on your ass, in underwear, while tippy tapping on a keyboard writing up python functions to parse a database is simply not equivalent to assembling an actual functional object or processing system with metal, wood, wire, bolts and hand tool.

    You can be smug about getting paid bank for tapping the keyboard at home, but dont try to convince yourself the white collar work is the same as hard body destroying trades blue collar through word appropriation. I bet youve never even pulled a sliver out your hand with tweezers, never got a friction blister from torque, not even one little cosmetic scar from a minor nick. Your hands are petite and unsullied as a baby, look at you.

    Even if it was appropriate, youve never heard of a starving ‘craftsman’(programmer)? How about being jobless after constant downsizing and layoffs?

    The rest of the talking points boil down to yum-yum feel good ‘work hard and perpetually learn on the job (proper training? Aint nobody got time for that) Apply yourself and you’ll be successful! Dont be lured by promotions or new job opportunities remember you work to enjoy your work and grow your skills not to make money!’

    Thats a okay attitude for apprentices but once you actually have some work experience this reads as nothing short of corporate propaganda masquerading as generic apprenticeship motivational advice.