›
This forum is in permanent archive mode. Our new active community can be found here.

Jack Of All Trades vs. a Specialist

MATATATMATATAT
edited February 2012 in Technology
I just had a preliminary interview with a company in Seattle and towards the end of the discussion the HR rep gave me a quick rundown of his impressions of me to forward on to a couple hiring managers. At one point he referred to me as a "Jack of all trades". I didn't say anything because I didn't know how to take that exactly. On one hand it is true in the sense that if you give me a problem or a task I'll figure it out. What I mean by this is that if you tell me a problem (say manipulating a string) I'm going to do it in the way I best see fit, namely using a language that has mutable strings. Same thing low level vs high level programming. I've made a file system with C and I've made Windows applications in C#.

Being fresh out of college I find it hard to describe myself in any sort of niche. Certainly there are people who are gurus of a certain field but I think its hard to expect that from someone who is a recent graduate. In college you sort of learn everything and choose electives based on what you think is interesting. This doesn't guarantee you are going to certainly fall in love with any single aspect of software engineering.

I was reading an article on differences between being a Jack of all trades vs. a specialist in the software development world and it sort of got me thinking of the pros and cons of either. I wanted to hear some other opinions.
«1

Comments

  • SailSail
    edited February 2012
    The basic answer to this question is always going to be "it depends." Being able to wear many different hats brings you experience, but being able to carve out a niche for yourself is what gets you work. Maybe the real answer is both?
    Post edited by Sail on
  • AxelAxel
    Specialization is important, but I find that most people aren't going to be that way when they leave college. They're going to be people who have learned a lot of different things and been given the ability to learn more things. In terms of programmers, you're probably going to learn a lot of languages and skills, but the important aspect is your base understanding of code and logic, and you should be able to pick up programming languages with some relative ease.
  • RochelleRochelle
    edited February 2012
    Jack of all Trades = someone who can be asked or made to do other people's work or do work they don't necessarily want to do.

    Specialist = One thing only. Don't mess with this person if their job is essential.

    Employers like flexible people, but be cautious that they don't too much advantage of it.

    This is my take on it in my work history. Take it for what you will.
    Post edited by Rochelle on
  • Anthony HemanAnthony Heman
    edited February 2012
    Broad sweeping generalizations follow:

    The real specialists are specialists because of experience and expertise, not laziness. Developers that can make awesome things like node.js are specialists.

    The greater majority of people that you would categorize as "specialists" are really more the type to try to solve every problem with the same tool, even when there are better tools.

    Out of college, almost everyone is a "Jack of all trades" and that's a good thing. Based on your interests, career, and abilities... you may very well want to specialize eventually. Even into non-programming fields like management or whatever industry you end up working in.

    Being able to dig a trench with a spoon is a skill, certainly, but knowing when to get some heavy machinery to dig that trench is also a skill - and being able to operate fifteen different trench-digging devices is probably better still.

    The rewards structure does provide high rewards for specializing, at the risk of eventually having your work pulled out from under you. Balance in all things.
    Post edited by Anthony Heman on
  • Dragonmaster LouDragonmaster Lou
    I got burned by the Jack of all trades label at my last job. I can do everything from writing kernel drivers and file systems to shell scripting and Linux administration (though not quite at the level of a dedicated administrator a la Rym). This was a great fit for them at first as they needed someone who could code low level C stuff, but who could also bang out the occasional shell script for their embedded Linux boxes.

    Then my group was merged with another group... and I ended up being tasked with writing installer scripts... Needless to say, I started looking for another job ASAP.
  • SchnevetsSchnevets
    Given that I'm still in school, I'd prefer the title of Jack of All Trades over Specialist any day.
  • MATATATMATATAT
    To add to this I recently chatted with a Test Lead for Xbox's core components and one thing he mentioned to me when I was talking to him about why they decided use Silverlight for their app dev kit and and he said "You never want to get stuck on one sdk or framework because something else is always going to come along." I just can't see myself getting sucked into any one specialty, I'm the kind of guy who just likes to try new things.

    However I will never write anything in any sort of assembly language.

  • AprecheApreche
    This is a false dichotomy. There are so many degrees of specialization in terms of depth and breadth that these two designations are kinda pointless.

    What if I put all my geekery into technology? Am I a specialist? But I'm good with ALL computer stuff. What about the guy who is only good at writing compilers with functional languages, and can't even make a web page? He's even more specialized! But wait, I can write a simple compiler in LISP. Give me enough time and I can write an advanced one. His specialization is included in my general skill set.

    Anyone who has played any RPG with a skill point buy system knows how this works out. What matters is how many skill points you have that are allocated productively and in use whether they are in more skills that are all useful or a few that are leveled way up.
  • SquadronROESquadronROE
    Anyone who has played any RPG with a skill point buy system knows how this works out. What matters is how many skill points you have that are allocated productively and in use whether they are in more skills that are all useful or a few that are leveled way up.
    I am incredibly surprised at how apt RPG metaphors are, and how well they work in real life. For instance, if you min max in real life there may be something wrong with you, like being autistic.

    So I guess real life is like GURPS?

  • theknoxinatortheknoxinator
    I greatly prefer trying to be a jack of all trades, not just in work but in everything. Yes, this does require me to be fairly average in a lot of these areas when I could be good if I focused more, but I just like being able to do a whole bunch of things. The trick, like what happened to Lou, is to know when you're being taken advantage of and get out.
  • zehaevazehaeva
    "A human being should be able to change a diaper, plan an invasion, butcher a hog, conn a ship, design a building, write a sonnet, balance accounts, build a wall, set a bone, comfort the dying, take orders, give orders, cooperate, act alone, solve equations, analyze a new problem, pitch manure, program a computer, cook a tasty meal, fight efficiently, die gallantly. Specialization is for insects." -- Robert Heinlein
  • Dragonmaster LouDragonmaster Lou
    "A human being should be able to change a diaper, plan an invasion, butcher a hog, conn a ship, design a building, write a sonnet, balance accounts, build a wall, set a bone, comfort the dying, take orders, give orders, cooperate, act alone, solve equations, analyze a new problem, pitch manure, program a computer, cook a tasty meal, fight efficiently, die gallantly. Specialization is for insects." -- Robert Heinlein
    Pretty reasonable, with one caveat. Said human being only has to be reasonably competent in those areas. Yes, you probably should be able to write a sonnet, but you don't have to be Shakespeare at it either.

    I can do various things, but I'm only really good (IMHO) at a few of them. Whatever -- as long as I know what my limits are and know when to call in expert help, it's cool.
  • RymRym
    One of my earliest goals from childhood was specifically to be "above average at everything."
  • CremlianCremlian
    My goal was to be below average but passable in everything, it's a lot easier :-p
  • TheWhaleSharkTheWhaleShark
    edited February 2012
    One of my earliest goals from childhood was specifically to be "above average at everything."
    Are you above average at being the king of the Ottoman empire?

    EDIT: I mean emperor of the Ottoman empire.

    Post edited by TheWhaleShark on
  • RymRym
    One of my earliest goals from childhood was specifically to be "above average at everything."
    Are you above average at being the king of the Ottoman empire?

    EDIT: I mean emperor of the Ottoman empire.

    Are you familiar with the history of the Ottoman Empire? I am deeply confident that I would be a better sovereign than the average Ottoman Emperor was.
  • TheWhaleSharkTheWhaleShark
    One of my earliest goals from childhood was specifically to be "above average at everything."
    Are you above average at being the king of the Ottoman empire?

    EDIT: I mean emperor of the Ottoman empire.

    Are you familiar with the history of the Ottoman Empire? I am deeply confident that I would be a better sovereign than the average Ottoman Emperor was.
    Well, we won't know that until you actually become the sovereign, now will we? Till then, you're at best a mediocre sovereign.

    In fact, I'll bet $100 that you still won't be the sovereign of the Ottoman empire in 3 years.


  • SailSail
    What kind of sovereign of the Ottoman Empire has never even been sovereign of the Ottoman Empire? Worst sovereign of the Ottomam Empire EVER.
  • ChurbaChurba
    edited February 2012
    Interestingly, I'm pretty sure the current heir to the title "Emperor of the ottoman empire" (Insomuch as there is such a thing) lives in New York at the moment. And I don't mean in the jokey sense about Rym, I mean the actual guy.
    Post edited by Churba on
  • Dragonmaster LouDragonmaster Lou
    Interestingly, I'm pretty sure the current heir to the title "Emperor of the ottoman empire" (Insomuch as there is such a thing) lives in New York at the moment. And I don't mean in the jokey sense about Rym, I mean the actual guy.
    Wouldn't surprise me. I think the heir to the throne of Portugal lives in Belgium or something. There are a bunch of those ex-royals (for lack of a better term) floating around in all sorts of the oddest places.

  • ChurbaChurba
    Interestingly, I'm pretty sure the current heir to the title "Emperor of the ottoman empire" (Insomuch as there is such a thing) lives in New York at the moment. And I don't mean in the jokey sense about Rym, I mean the actual guy.
    Wouldn't surprise me. I think the heir to the throne of Portugal lives in Belgium or something. There are a bunch of those ex-royals (for lack of a better term) floating around in all sorts of the oddest places.
    The still-current emperor of Korea works as a mid-level executive for a large department store/chain of department stores in Korea.

  • WindUpBirdWindUpBird
    edited February 2012
    What kind of sovereign of the Ottoman Empire has never even been sovereign of the Ottoman Empire? Worst sovereign of the Ottomam Empire EVER.
    I do heartily concur. *clears throat* Ahem.

    Zaporozhian Cossacks to the Turkish Sultan!

    Thou art a Turkish imp, the damned devil's brother and friend, and a secretary to Lucifer himself. What the devil kind of knight art thou that cannot slay a hedgehog with your naked ass? The devil shits, and your army eats. Thou son of a bitch wilt not ever make subjects of Christian sons; we have no fear of your army, by land and by sea we will battle with thee, fuck thy mother.

    Thou art the Babylonian scullion, Macedonian wheelwright, brewer of Jerusalem, goat-fucker of Alexandria, swineherd of Greater and Lesser Egypt, Armenian pig, Podolian villain, catamite of Tartary, hangman of Kamyanets, and fool of all the world and underworld, a fool before our God, a grandson of the Serpent, and the crick in our dick. Pig's snout, mare's arse, slaughterhouse cur, unchristened brow, screw thine own mother!

    So the Zaporozhians declare, you lowlife. Thou wilt not even be herding Christian pigs. Now we shall conclude, for we don't know the date and don't have a calendar; the moon's in the sky, the year in the book, the day's the same over here as it is over there; for this kiss our ass!



    Post edited by WindUpBird on
  • GreyHugeGreyHuge
    edited February 2012
    Interestingly, I'm pretty sure the current heir to the title "Emperor of the ottoman empire" (Insomuch as there is such a thing) lives in New York at the moment. And I don't mean in the jokey sense about Rym, I mean the actual guy.
    This is my shit. He was a US Marine and worked in the New York Library System, how cool is that?

    Post edited by GreyHuge on
  • ElJoe0ElJoe0
    Interestingly, I'm pretty sure the current heir to the title "Emperor of the ottoman empire" (Insomuch as there is such a thing) lives in New York at the moment. And I don't mean in the jokey sense about Rym, I mean the actual guy.
    This is my shit. He was a US Marine and worked in the New York Library System, how cool is that?
    The four people I know who have worked in the New York Library system are awesome as fuck, this just confirms my suspicion that it is a cool place to work.

  • AndrewAndrew
    Interestingly, I'm pretty sure the current heir to the title "Emperor of the ottoman empire" (Insomuch as there is such a thing) lives in New York at the moment. And I don't mean in the jokey sense about Rym, I mean the actual guy.
    This is my shit. He was a US Marine and worked in the New York Library System, how cool is that?

    Actually, if you read the article, you would know he was in the Army.

  • ElJoe0ElJoe0
    He has served in the US Army and worked in a library in New York City.
    YOU ARE BOTH WINNERS!

  • WindUpBirdWindUpBird
    He has no heirs. Who shall continue the line?
  • SailSail
    Not Rym!
  • ApsupApsup
    Scott?
  • WindUpBirdWindUpBird
    I will do it.

    I will lead the Ottoman Empire, for the good of the people. Under my guidance, Turkey shall see a new golden age. Though I relinquish my carefree ways for the responsibilities of a Sovereign, I do so with the hope that I can restore the glorious Ottoman Empire to the grandeur of the halcyon days of yore.
Sign In or Register to comment.