Pair-Programming with a Wide Gap in Talent?

efp asks: "I'm a graduate student and have a programming assignment coming up. We're encouraged to work in pairs and I've agreed to work with a friend. However, while I'm far from l33t, I've several years more experience than my partner. Are there effective techniques for pair programming with a wide gap in talent? I want us both to get a lot out of the assignment, and I do not want to do all the work (which has been specifically identified and disallowed by the instructor anyway). Navigator/driver scenarios? Index-card design techniques?"

Comments

In that case, the appropriate response is...

[MickLinux]

Let me preface this by saying that I would almost agree, except that zero-sum is too high an estimation of job reviews. At the place where I work, the managers are told to give reviews on a score of 1-5; and not 5, because that score is reserved only for the company president's boss; and not 4 -- that's reserved for the president. And 3 really would imply that the person should be the manager. So mostly, 1 and 2 are all that can be given out, and the manager should feel free to give a single "3" score wherever he feels that the person is performing especially well. 1 and 2, of course, are "not acceptable" and "barely acceptable."

Point being, that the job reviews have no basis in reality. They are a specific lie, for the specific purpose of denying raises.

So let me propose a number of scenarios, and the specific response:

(1) Benefits turn out to be of negligible value. Response: Factor in benefits as a slight negative value -- the cost of the time that it's going to waste. Pick a job with a higher salary.

(2) Job reviews are nonsense. Response: Pick a job with a higher initial salary, and change jobs as often as you can get a better wage.

(3) Employers start pushing for more unpaid overtime. Response: As much time as you give to the employer under pressure, spend that much time applying for other positions elsewhere.

In the end, the employment game itself is probably a worse-than-zero sum game, for the reason that the employers seem to view their employees as their primary enemy, followed only by their own boss and their customers. When that happens, things are going to break down. To be honest, the person who trusts in other people is headed for disappointment.

That said, I've found that trusting in God has not disappointed. The job I have, I have because He wants me there, not because it's a good place to work. But the work that He has me doing is among those who have no better options. And that's different from the work my employer has me doing. I accept the second as being the cost of the first. Meanwhile, by the grace of God I can be loyal and faithful at my work, and for the most part, not rebel. To me, the sum situation is worth more than salary, job reviews, benefits, or whatnot. But I can definitely understand that the current situation is untenable for most other people. At least, though, there is a response for those who need to move on.