Myth: AI will make engineers obsolete
The perception that AI will soon replace engineers is widespread but often overstated. Mark Zuckerberg's claim about Meta's mid-level engineers being replaced by AI is an example of such hype. Those most vocal about this either stand to benefit from the AI craze or have products to sell.
This fear benefits companies by giving them more leverage in the job market. However, experienced software engineers know that AI is just a tool. It can automate repetitive tasks but cannot do the thinking for you. AI is good at solving well-defined problems and building prototypes, but the hardest part of software development is breaking down vague business objectives and fitting them into legacy codebases.
AI will likely raise the bar for junior engineers, but as of now, AI coding tools haven't lived up to the hype.
Myth: High pay means poor work life balance
Contrary to popular belief, in the author's experience, higher pay has often come with a better working environment. Some people assume that big tech companies offer high salaries in exchange for long hours, but this isn't always true. Work life balance varies by team and company and doesn't necessarily correlate with salary.
Web development agencies, which often pay below market rates, can have the worst work life balance. To gauge work culture, it's better to talk to current employees or check reviews on platforms like Blind, although these methods aren't foolproof.
Myth: The job market is dead for software engineers
While the job market isn't as booming as it was in 2021, it's not a dying field. The US Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates a 17% increase in software jobs between 2023 and 2033, much higher than the average for all professions. The World Economic Forum also names software developers as the third top growing job by 2030.
Despite concerns about trade wars, tariffs, and a potential global recession, and the future impact of AI, the job market is showing signs of improvement. Tech job openings are up 43% since November 2023, and people in the author's network who were looking for jobs did find them, although it took longer.
Myth: Day-to-day life is just like day in the life videos
Day in the life videos of software engineers often show a glamorous and easy work life, which can be misleading. While there are days when there isn't much to do, these aren't typical. Content creators have an incentive to portray an aspirational lifestyle for engagement.
In reality, software engineers also have to deal with issues like being on call, dealing with passive-aggressive emails, and struggling with code problems.
Myth: The main goal is always to create the highest quality software possible
In school, students are taught to write the best possible code. However, in the workforce, the main goal is to solve business problems with software. Sometimes, this means sacrificing quality for speed.
For example, startups need to quickly test the market with prototypes before investing time in building a more robust product. While quality matters, companies may prioritize speed when they're running out of funds or need to beat competitors to market.
Myth: You're always going to be building things from scratch
In a CS program or coding boot camp, students focus on algorithms and building from scratch. But in the real world, most software engineers join projects with large legacy codebases.
They spend a lot of time familiarizing themselves with the codebase, fixing bugs, updating dependencies, conducting code reviews, and reading documentation. Only about half of a junior or middle-level engineer's time is spent writing code, and this portion decreases as they progress in their career.
Myth: Front end is easier than backend
This is a myth often spread by back-end engineers. The author, who has worked in both front end and backend, can attest that front-end development can be just as complex, if not more so.
Building a user-friendly UI for a website builder, for example, requires considering numerous variables such as undo/redo functionality, version control, backwards compatibility, and usability for non-technical users. Front-end code also needs to work across different screen sizes, devices, and browsers.
Myth: You need to be talented in order to be a software engineer
Many people worry about whether they have the talent to work in tech, especially when they see others understand concepts faster. However, in the author's opinion, you don't need a lot of natural talent to get and maintain an average software job.
While big tech companies may require the ability to solve coding challenges under pressure, what matters more once you have a baseline level of technical skill is your ability to work well with others and your willingness to socialize with co-workers.
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