What’s the deal with the mentality of software programmers in Fresno?
One of the things I love about being in the field of software and programming is the fact I get to be exposed to new and exciting technologies all the time. Learning new languages, hearing about startups being acquired by this company or that company. So why is it almost impossible to meet other developers in Fresno that think the same? I met a handful in the bay area within two weeks of moving there.
Most of the other people I know love their 9-to-5 job where when it’s 5:00 they are out the door, not wanting to look at another line of code again until the next morning. Maybe this is what separates “Career Programmers” from “Passionate Programmers”. At least that’s always been my argument.
I understand one of the big issues that arise with people here in Fresno yet alone the Central Valley is their families. Family is a big driving factor here, and I think a lot of times people trump this over the whole process of continuing their love for programming outside of the job. But I really don’t think it needs to be this way. Who says just because junior or 1 or 2 years old you can no longer pick up a good ASP.NET 3.5 or Ruby on Rails book at home? Or code up a side project for fun?
The main reason I began thinking about this was the term everyone uses today as “rockstar programmer”. Honestly I love this term, and it gives a sense of enlightenment when most of the bullet points mentioned are similar to what I do or feel (give or take a few). Not to be conceited in any way, I just love technology and I love learning new things both at work and at home.
But I think rarely any credit is given to programmers who try to achieve this mentality here. They are often taken for granted and overlooked for mediocrity.
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COMMENTS / 11 COMMENTS
Tech Company Mentality in Fresno | Phil Derksen added these pithy words on Jul 27 09 at 9:19 am[...] friend and fellow programmer Robert Schultz recently blogged on software programmer mentality in Fresno and it really struck a cord with me. I think it speaks to a larger issue going on with tech [...]
Kepford added these pithy words on Jul 22 09 at 2:42 pmAs a parent of a 4 year old and a 2 year old I can tell you that they are much more important to me than anything in the tech realm. With that said, I still read tech books, work on side projects and organize local tech meetups. It is true that you won’t find the tech passion in the Valley that you find in the Bay Area or So Cal but those area’s have the high paying tech jobs. It’s not only about money, but passionate talented devs will go where they are rewarded and acknowledged for their passion. If you began to see major tech companies based in Fresno you will see a more passionate local tech community. I think the answer is that simple.
Robert Schultz added these pithy words on Jul 22 09 at 4:00 pmI see your points on everything, especially since you’re coming from the side of having children like other friends I have who are programmers which I do not. But there are two things I just can’t 100% agree with. First, I will never agree with the fact that just because high paying jobs are in the bay area you will not find the technology passion here. I know a couple of guys here who have it just as much as others I met when I moved to the bay area for a job there. In today’s society you can run a small successful startup w/o having to be in the bay area it’s not that hard. And secondly, where I work now I am not getting paid that much from what I made in the bay area. It all depends on what you know and where you work I suppose.
But again, I get the point and your point is probably the main factor of why companies allow their programmers to not be “rockstars” because if they were, they would leave and not be here.
Bonus question, when is the next Drupal meetup? I’d love to come check it out.
Emilio Cavazos added these pithy words on Jul 22 09 at 5:39 pmFirst off, great post. I share your concerns and agree with most of your commentary. I’ve always felt *alone* in Fresno in terms of software development. I have many assumptions for why this is, but I’ve accepted them and moved on (sort of).
As someone who has a small child, I know it’s hard to balance family and keep my skills relevant. That’s no excuse, I’ll always find a way. It’s not mandated by work or encouraged, I do it because I’m passionate about it. I don’t want to wake up one day and realize I’m a 501 developer.
One thing I don’t agree with is the term “rockstar” developer. In my mind, I imagine a self-centered code slinger who has no concept of team. This developer makes a mess of the code-base and can give two sh*ts about readability, quality or maintainability. I also imagine this developer does not practice TDD and measures performance in lines of code instead of delivered product. But that’s just my opinion. Personally, I prefer the term software craftsman.
Robert Schultz added these pithy words on Jul 22 09 at 7:17 pmIt’s great to hear others here in Fresno have similar feelings. I know sometimes I come across lightly on the issue when people have children so I have to think twice about that sometimes, because I just don’t know how hard it is having little ones and juggling work.
And your comments regarding rockstar, I have read some opinions from that side as well. If I was to be honest the term is probably overused these days because it could be used by some companies to label someone who slams out a bunch of code with no regards for others or any other agile concepts. I probably don’t have a concrete term for a mature rockstar programmer I guess and you probably hit it on the nail: craftsman. When I think of rockstar, I envision a person who is always on top of technology, frameworks, languages and so forth who wants to push a company and be motivated to really make a change in this world within a team. But you get the point.
I think the fact you guys responded proves a lot here.
Phil Derksen added these pithy words on Jul 27 09 at 9:26 amI’d rather compare Fresno to places like Austin, Boulder or Raleigh rather than the SF Bay area. As far as I know they have a similar or smaller population and are less dependent on venture capitalist funding. Austin has 100-degree weather just like we do. How have they attracted and kept a high-profile software development/tech startup mentality over the years? And what are we doing wrong here?
To me the negative programmer mentality stems from the mentality of the companies they work for. From my experience innovation isn’t encouraged and developers’ ideas aren’t highly valued. Enough that I felt like posting my own response to this article. Thanks for stirring up a great subject Robert.
Click my name for the link to my post or go here:
http://philderksen.com/2009/07/27/tech-company-mentality-in-fresno/
Rob Fahrni added these pithy words on Aug 08 09 at 4:04 pmWow, I just ran across this post, love it.
Phil – I hadn’t thought of comparing Fresno to other places, nice comparison.
So, I guess I’m not the only guy that has gone on a rant about the state of software development in The Valley. Nice to know.
I’d read Phil’s piece prior to seeing this one. Reading Phils lead me to write my own, so here comes the shameless plug to my post…
Robert Schultz added these pithy words on Aug 09 09 at 1:13 pmI think this is something a lot of people experience here, they just don’t say or do much about it. In all honesty, reading some of the entries on your blog as well really excites me that there is enough people here where we should get together and discuss our ideas and see what we can make of it. There are a lot of talented and motivated individuals in Fresno!
Fresno Kitchen Cabinets added these pithy words on Sep 01 09 at 3:58 pmHave you found any good restaurants downtown? I’ve been to Sequoia Brewing, but no where else.
Robert Schultz added these pithy words on Sep 02 09 at 9:34 amThey opened up a nice place, Hero’s, but I’ve heard some bad things about the service.
I like Joe’s Steakhouse, been there once. For BBQ Ribs & Tips is pretty good. I like eating at Los Panchos for Mexican food.
Jinny added these pithy words on Sep 15 09 at 10:26 amHello,
Amazing! Not clear for me, how offen you updating your http://www.robertschultz.org.
Thank you
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