Comments on: Needed: Apprentice Programmers http://www.programmersparadox.com/2008/05/05/needed-apprentice-programmers/ Long form thoughts from a Software Engineer Thu, 19 Jan 2012 13:42:07 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Mark http://www.programmersparadox.com/2008/05/05/needed-apprentice-programmers/comment-page-1/#comment-1029 Mark Mon, 19 May 2008 03:34:23 +0000 http://www.programmersparadox.com/?p=101#comment-1029 I know that many companies claim they do but I'm not convinced that most companies give it more than lip service. It's the problem that all companies face of the long term vs the short term. Training costs you in the short term but saves you in the long term. I think too many companies still view software as a manufactured good as opposed to a creative good, which it truly is. Developers are seen as interchangeable parts and their degree is supposed to prove that they are skilled enough to perform the work needed, even though that isn't likely the case unless they receive extra training or work to better themselves. I think you should count yourself lucky that you work for a company that appears to understand what is needed, because I think those types of companies are few and far between. I know that many companies claim they do but I’m not convinced that most companies give it more than lip service. It’s the problem that all companies face of the long term vs the short term. Training costs you in the short term but saves you in the long term. I think too many companies still view software as a manufactured good as opposed to a creative good, which it truly is. Developers are seen as interchangeable parts and their degree is supposed to prove that they are skilled enough to perform the work needed, even though that isn’t likely the case unless they receive extra training or work to better themselves.

I think you should count yourself lucky that you work for a company that appears to understand what is needed, because I think those types of companies are few and far between.

]]> By: Tom http://www.programmersparadox.com/2008/05/05/needed-apprentice-programmers/comment-page-1/#comment-1028 Tom Mon, 19 May 2008 01:35:19 +0000 http://www.programmersparadox.com/?p=101#comment-1028 On a smaller scale, many companies do "apprenticeships" for programmers. Whether it’s an internship or a co-op, there are opportunities to be on both ends of the relationship. One thing we do at work is have new programmers mentored by mid-level programmers to get feed back from what people are learning in college, and giving new programmers a resource for stepping into the work environment in a productive way. No one is ever left not knowing who they can ask for help. We also review the code for new hires till we're confident that they've adjusted to their job and the company. These reviews are informal but also allow more experienced programmers to guide newer ones towards tricks and concepts they might lack as they come up. On a smaller scale, many companies do “apprenticeships” for programmers. Whether it’s an internship or a co-op, there are opportunities to be on both ends of the relationship. One thing we do at work is have new programmers mentored by mid-level programmers to get feed back from what people are learning in college, and giving new programmers a resource for stepping into the work environment in a productive way. No one is ever left not knowing who they can ask for help. We also review the code for new hires till we’re confident that they’ve adjusted to their job and the company. These reviews are informal but also allow more experienced programmers to guide newer ones towards tricks and concepts they might lack as they come up.

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