Polymorphism

 No, this is not an OOP programming lesson. Its merely just my observation and rationalization of the phenomena of computer development.

I always considered myself lucky to be in the right place at the right time to become a software developer. Besides my talent, I was lucky to be the optimal age when computers started becoming personal and also affordable for my parents to get me one. These enablers and several persons that altered my path were the biggest contributors to my carrier.

But I always wondered what made our profession so important, why I always here the same phrase: "Oh, you are a programmer, you are needed profile, you can get a job anywhere". Even though this is cliché, it is true non the less. Looking back on all the life segments I have touched with my software development, I think I finally have the answer. We are Shape Shifters of the business world, we are setting and maintaining the infrastructure and tools the business world uses to make money, we are both the Janitors and the Architects simultaneously. We are polymorphs. Thus we thrive in any business. We are the underdogs.

I have worked on medical software, banking, insurance, video streaming, entertainment, gaming, crisis management, accounting, networking, CAD, environmental and many, many more industries. 

I have learned the ropes for a lot of different business, granted it was mostly marginal knowledge, but sufficient enough to develop the software they require, just to enable them to do their day to day business.

So the advice I have for everybody that wants to be needed on the labor market: Be polymorph, get in some business, do your best, and get out, don't change the business, just automate it. That is the only sustainable way of thinking about the world. You will be appreciated and celebrated.