#140 Surviving 40 years in the software industry with Jack Herrington the Blue Collar Coder
Sep 6, 2024
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Jack Herrington, a seasoned software engineer with over 40 years in the industry and creator of the Blue Collar Coder YouTube channel, shares his inspiring journey. He discusses overcoming dyslexia, early career choices, and his transition from software to content creation. Jack reflects on the impact of iconic films and the nostalgia of music, while humorously exploring the quirks of bad movies. He also addresses the evolution of software engineering, the role of AI, and the importance of engaging with new technologies, blending personal anecdotes with industry insights.
Jack Herrington's journey illustrates how personal challenges, like dyslexia, can lead to unique learning styles and success in tech.
Emphasizing experiential learning, Jack believes that practical project-building solidifies understanding of programming concepts more effectively.
Jack advocates for a full-stack developer approach, combining multiple skill sets to enhance problem-solving and adaptability in the tech field.
With the rise of AI, Jack emphasizes the importance of understanding its integration while maintaining high standards of code quality.
Deep dives
Overcoming Dyslexia in a Tech Career
Jack Harrington discusses his journey with dyslexia and how it impacted his educational experiences. He emphasizes that dyslexia is an ongoing challenge, highlighting the importance of understanding one's learning style. Jack has found that visual and interactive learning methods are particularly beneficial for him, allowing him to absorb information more effectively. He advocates for a shift in educational practices from rote memorization to constructivist learning, where students learn through building and applying concepts.
The Importance of Practical Learning
Jack underscores the significance of experiential learning in mastering programming concepts. He believes that learning through actually building projects helps reinforce knowledge and skills. This hands-on approach enables learners to retain information better and makes abstract concepts more tangible. By creating practical applications, such as games or databases, learners can cement their understanding of programming principles.
Navigating the Tech Landscape as a Generalist
Jack encourages aspiring developers to embrace a full-stack approach, equipping themselves with both front-end and back-end skills. He believes that having a broad skill set allows developers to tackle problems more holistically and be more versatile in their roles. Learning various technologies enhances problem-solving capabilities and prepares individuals for a dynamic job market. Jack advocates for a balance between being a generalist and developing specialized skills as one progresses in their career.
The Evolution of Software Engineering and AI
Jack discusses the transformative impact of AI on the software engineering landscape. He highlights the importance of understanding AI's capabilities to leverage its potential effectively in software development. Rather than replacing software engineers, AI is seen as a tool that can enhance productivity and streamline workflows. As companies seek to integrate AI features into their products, the demand for engineers who can work alongside AI technologies will continue to grow.
Challenges and Opportunities in AI Integration
Jack notes that while AI tools like GitHub Copilot are emerging, they come with limitations that developers must navigate. He warns against blindly relying on AI-generated code without fully understanding it. Developers must maintain accountability for the code in their projects and ensure they grasp its functionality. As AI tools continue to evolve, developers will need to adapt and cultivate skills that complement AI rather than replace traditional programming practices.
Being Critical of AI Tools
Jack emphasizes the need for developers to critically engage with AI tools and maintain high standards of code quality. He encourages software engineers to avoid relying solely on AI-generated solutions, reminding them of their responsibility to understand and refine the code they use. Ensuring code quality is crucial, especially when integrating machine-generated code into larger projects. Developers are urged to follow best practices, including thorough testing and debugging, to avoid introducing vulnerabilities.
Shifting Job Dynamics in Tech
Jack expresses optimism about the future of software engineering amid AI advancements, suggesting that the field will continue to expand. He predicts that as companies explore AI integration, new job opportunities will arise, particularly for engineers skilled in applied AI. The landscape will evolve, requiring developers to adapt and acquire skills related to AI implementation and management. This shift is viewed as an exciting opportunity for both newcomers and seasoned professionals in the tech industry.
The Value of Bad Movies in Learning
In an amusing twist, Jack discusses his interest in bad movies and how they serve as a tool for understanding storytelling and production challenges. He shares that engaging with poorly made films leads to valuable insights about what constitutes effective filmmaking. By reflecting on the shortcomings of bad movies, viewers can learn what to avoid in their projects, whether in film or software development. This analogy underscores the importance of learning from both successful and unsuccessful examples in one's professional journey.
On this week's episode of the podcast, freeCodeCamp founder Quincy Larson interviews Jack Herrington. As a kid he had to work to overcome Dyslexia and didn't have good enough grades to get into college. Despite this, he's worked as a software engineer for more than 40 years at companies like Nike, Adobe, and Walmart. He also runs the popular Blue Collar Coder YouTube channel.
We talk about:
- How Jack struggled with Dyslexia, had terrible grades that couldn't get him into college, but got really into GameDev in the early 1980s
- Early developer job opportunities that took his family from his home town in Pennsylvania to Melbourne Australia
- How he started blogging as he learned, and ultimately published 6 programming books
Can you guess what song I'm playing on my bass during the intro? It's from a 1979 new-wave song.
Also, I want to thank the 10,443 kind people who support our charity each month, and who make this podcast possible. You can join them and support our mission at: https://www.freecodecamp.org/donate
Links we talk about during our conversation:
Blue Collar Coder YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@jherr
Jack on Twitter: https://twitter.com/jherr
1984 ad from Apple: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VtvjbmoDx-I
Edward Tufte, the academic Jack mentions: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Edward_Tufte
Ben Affleck's funny drunk DVD commentary on Armageddon movie (this contains profanity so don't listen to with young kids around): https://www.tiktok.com/@alltherightmovies/video/7238180210527505690?lang=en
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