4 Myths about Software Engineering
Lee la versión en español aquí.
There are stereotypes associated to every occupation. The particularities of Software Engineering or Computer Science graduates is that more than one of the stereotypes related to them rank –I dare say– within the top 10 of the most popular stereotypes. At Wolox, 90% of our team comes from those professional areas, and we believe that the time has come to expose and clarify some myths about software engineers:
See also: Let’s make some trouble!
1. My computer is running slow… I think it has a virus! Can you help me?
We are not specialist in technical support but developers of software that solve problems of the day-to-day life. We may manage the technicalities of computers because we spend lots of time working with them but that does not mean we know how to fix all of the issues they may have.
2. Can you hack this account?
Not all software engineers are hackers. It is something very complicated and takes years of practice. In addition, it may be precisely us that are in charge of making robust, tolerant, and secure systems.
3. Software engineers are hotshot video game players and lousy at sports.
Even though it is true that we enjoy spending time playing videogames, it is not a must-do activity among software engineers. I have met many of them that do not know what a Nintendo 64 is, and, on the other hand, many other people from other occupations are fans of videogames.
As well, being a Software Engineer does not go against practicing sports. At Wolox we have two football teams, a Paddle champion, a Yoga teacher, Tennis players, and even Crossfitters!
See also: A Growing Startup’s Reflections
4. Software engineering is a man-only thing.
Completely false! It is true that the majority within the field are men, but there are also many renown women within the area:
- Jean E. Sammet: Collaborator to the development of IBM FORMAC and COBOL languages
- Fran Allen: Pioneer in compilers and awarded with the Turing Prize in 2006
- Margaret Hamilton: Leader in the development of the on-board flight software for the Apollo 11 space program
Stereotypes are just that, impressions that might be exaggerated and mistaken. We hope this post was useful in getting to know a little more about software engineers and debunk their myths.
Posted by Conrado Mader Blanco (cmaderblanco@wolox.com.ar)
