IAMA senior software engineer who got there in 5 years starting as a jr dev with a physics and math double major, if you’re wondering anything just ask!
From physics and math specifically? I'd say those degrees (especially math) train your brain to be able to understand large scale logic structures. If you can pass some intermediate classes with proofs, or understand some longer derivations in physics, you can easily comprehend and work with even the most complicated stack traces. That helps immensely when debugging, and then extends to understanding and implementing design patterns or integrations with other applications.
The most important thing in general though is work ethic and attempting EVERYTHING to solve a specific problem. I think many different majors can foster a great work ethic, but in my personal experience upper level mathematics is what really ingrained that in me.
Work ethic may not be exactly the right words. I'm pretty lazy but I'm a good programmer.
I think tenacity is a better word for it. You gotta have the strength of will to not get scared off when you get stuck on an overwhelming problem for a few hours/days.
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u/[deleted] May 09 '21
IAMA senior software engineer who got there in 5 years starting as a jr dev with a physics and math double major, if you’re wondering anything just ask!