Ask HN: For those programming 10+ years, what do you wish you knew 4 years in?
There is no future in software development as a job. Move to a management position quickly, network, make friends with decision makers, don't spend too much time on crafting your skills, your reward for perfection will be more insane work and crazy interviews where one part not 100% done kicks you out. Work on your appearance, kiss up, lift, dress properly, use anti-aging cosmetics, make cool looking hairstyle, wear objects of power (like rings), work on your voice, make yourself seen by making presentations, even if pointless and/or stupid, do some trendy thing on a side and show everyone, appear confident at all times even if you have no clue what is going on. Demonstrate your skills by getting an MBA, PhD (even if from a crappy university, it doesn't matter) or a respected certificate. Basically, don't hack computers but people around you. Our field has shifted from meritocracy to over-politicized field, if you are a male you'd in addition face 50/50 gender ratio split pressure and given how few women are in our field, you'd compete for less than a half the available spots as everyone now wants to compensate this ratio in their mostly male teams.<p>If you really need to make software (like I do), make your own company and license/sell your work instead for >500% more than what would be your salary.