On Friday, 30 May 2014 at 11:35:19 UTC, Chris wrote:
Reading through Adam's book at home made me think about how much time I've spent reading / learning / thinking about programs outside the office. I read TDPL in my spare time. I checked out things in the D Cookbook in my spare time and applied them the next day, like loads of other things about programming and actual programs. I guess most people here have similar experiences. The issue is that most employers don't really appreciate this. Are we mad or just passionate?
I humbly believe programmer who does not spend spare time reading literature related to his/her work is most likely going to lose the job at some point, as people who DO spend time in their self-education will take the place.
Surely, there is an exception - when company actually INVESTS in the education of employees. Unfortunately not all companies do this. Most big ones do, smaller companies most likely won't have resources for education of employees.
Furthermore, they think the work itself will educate. Sure it will, to a certain level. But work won't teach us new technologies and techniques. - This is something we learn ourselves. Here is reason why it is always good to have a geek who spends another 8h a day at home learning new, exciting stuff - because that geek typically shares that knowlege at work as well.
