Glenn,
What you say makes a lot of sense. As a generalist, myself, I tend to favor
this approach, and I think it has value for employers in many ways. But we
all have to spend our time on something, and some folks are simply more
focused. Those who spend all or most of their time in one area gain a much
deeper knowledge in that area. These are the folks who push the envelope.
But they would be less likely to see many of the big picture issues that
the generalists can see.
I'm not sure I would recommend everyone become a generalist. Also, I think
employers should be told, often and loud, that they need both types of
people. The specialists will move them forward. The generalists will keep
them out of trouble and/or fix the problems the specialists cause. Of
course, I'm assuming a level of perception that few managers, in my
experience anyway, possess.
Just my thoughts,
--John
Glenn Saunders
<cybpunks@eart To: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
hlink.net> cc:
Subject: Job Title vs. Aptitude
08/23/2000
10:46 PM
At 01:49 PM 8/23/2000 -0600, you wrote:
<<
Later this year I will begin work on a web site (for profit, hopefully) to
(See attached file: create a micro-infrastructure to facilitate this type
of labor)outside for new hires. So I think there is a lot of insecurity
that plays
into management style and staffing decisions, which of course hurts the
overall quality of the company's operations.
Ultimately there are always going to be haves and have nots, and people
will be envious of others. I think most of us have had experiences where
we knew if only we were given more carte blanche, more authority, be given
the CTO spot, we could really shine. We've been smarter and more talented
than our bosses on many occasions. Rarely if ever do we get into a
position where we can remedy that situation without just putting the resume
out on Monster board and going elsewhere.
So at first it may seem as though having a diversity of skills is NOT an
asset in the job market, it will be in the long run as you develop
intermediary to advanced proficiency in multiple disciplines.
So the best advice I can give any cold fusion developer out there is to
take some time to learn ASP or JSP or PHP, and have other hobbies that can
become backup careers. Learn Flash. Learn DHTML. Study more SQL or NT
administration. Don't bet the farm on just one narrow skill. Being
proficient is great and should be pursued, but not to the expense of
versatility. The more you know the better you can be at what you do and
weather the changes that are inevitable in this business.
I really think it's far better to be well-rounded in all apsects of your
chosen field than to have many holes in your knowledge.
Glenn Saunders - Producer - Cyberpunks Entertainment
Personal homepage: http://www.geocities.com/Hollywood/1698
Cyberpunks Entertainment: http://cyberpunks.uni.cc
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create a micro-infrastructure to facilitate this type of labor
