What Decades in Software Engineering Teaches You

In this episode of Data Engineering Central, I sit down with a veteran Software Engineer John Crickett; with decades of experience in the industry to unpack what really matters in building a long and successful engineering career.

We talk about how he first got into software, the early jobs and tools that shaped his thinking, and the massive technology shifts he’s witnessed across decades of engineering—from early stacks and tools to today’s AI-assisted workflows.

* We also dive into the difference between coding and real-world software engineering, what separates junior, senior, and principal engineers, and why many developers misunderstand what it takes to grow in this field.

* We discuss leadership vs individual contributor paths, the origin of his Coding Challenges platform, why algorithm puzzles dominate developer culture, and what actually makes engineers improve quickly.

Finally, we tackle the big question everyone is asking right now: how AI is reshaping software engineering, and what skills will matter most over the next decade.

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