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More Than a Hoodie: How We Talk About Developers (medium.com)
An anonymous reader shares an article: For generations, movies, video games, and tv shows have portrayed the developer as either an awkward hoodie-wearing nerd, or an insane and menacing basement dweller (or both). From Ace Ventura to Silicon Valley, everyone has had their chance to portray the developer. Few actors do this with the same grace they'd reserve for a role portraying a doctor. [...] I think it's time for all of us to try and elevate our understanding of what a developer is. If you are a tech company who markets to developers, or is hoping to hire developers this is doubly true. So, how should we talk about developers? First, we should talk about how important their work is. Programming is one of the fastest growing industries in the world as it serves a role in every part of society. Developers maintain and build critical parts of our infrastructure. Second, we need to talk about the craft of what they do... we need to show more code. Every developer may use a different set of tools, but across the board their craft is evolving at increasing rates. [...] I think we can drop developer stereotypes all together at this point. It's a job people know -- it's time to add some vitamins to that kool-aid. After all, we're just like lawyers, librarians, electricians and cab drivers... we're just people, totally unique and different people. But if there is one thing that unites us, it's a unifying desire to build new things, improve old things, learn when we can and avoid being stereotyped. It's as simple as that.
I know lots of places where a developer can and has worn a hoodie to work. This includes my current office. A good rule of thumb is, the stricter the dress code - the less competent the management is. The hiring process is probably worse.
Often wrong but never in doubt.
I am Jack9.
Everyone knows me.
I don't mean to be rude but working in IT I have found that dress in the office is very important.
People who self-describe as "working in IT" these days are not software developers. Also, I suspect you're on the East Coast.
Here in big software companies on the West Coast, the uniform of almost all senior devs and managers is button-down shirt and jeans. T-shirt and shorts is OK if you're young (but at some point you're expected to move to grown-up cloths). Heck, even at the VP level, button-down shirt and jeans is the norm, unless meeting with a customer.
Wearing slacks marks you as fresh off the boat from India or China. Wearing a tie means everyone you meet will ask you "Can I help you? Are you looking for someone?"
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