On this planet of programming, technical chops have at all times been the golden ticket. However over time, a few of the finest programmers I’ve employed and labored with didn’t come from laptop science backgrounds. They got here from the humanities — music, philosophy, literature. These liberal arts grads introduced a contemporary perspective to programming, one which’s not at all times straightforward to seek out.
And as generative AI modifications the sport, this edge will solely turn out to be extra worthwhile. With AI dealing with the ABCs of programming — the line-by-line code writing — what’s left is the more durable stuff: understanding issues deeply, speaking with stakeholders, and designing options that make sense in the actual world.
Programming Isn’t Simply About Code
Programming has by no means been purely about logic. Certain, you want what was known as left-brain talent — the flexibility to translate technical specs into exact code. However a programmer’s actual worth comes once they push past that: recognizing patterns, fixing complicated issues, and seeing connections that others miss.
I first seen this way back. A gifted colleague used to entertain a roomful of fellow IT staff by enjoying and singing Eric Clapton tunes. He was additionally a gifted coder, able to recognizing patterns, and fixing issues differently.
Programming is a artistic course of, not in contrast to music. The notes matter, however so does figuring out when to riff, tips on how to construction, and tips on how to construct one thing that’s greater than the sum of its elements. It’s no coincidence that the most effective developer I ever labored with, interval, was a music main.
Liberal arts majors don’t come to work burdened with technical rigidity. They’ve spent their time dissecting concepts, making connections between ideas, and pondering critically. They’ve honed their writing and storytelling. These abilities are extremely worthwhile, particularly now.
GenAI Is Altering the Job
GenAI is basically altering what it means to be a programmer. Instruments like GitHub Copilot and Google’s Gemini can write code, debug easy points, and automate lots of the duties that used to take up time. However AI doesn’t know tips on how to ask the best questions, interpret consumer wants, or mildew its output into one thing that is smart in a broader context. That’s nonetheless a human job.
The position of the programmer is evolving, probably splitting into two paths. There’ll at all times be a spot for the hardcore programmer with a pc science background, somebody to make methods discuss to 1 one other. For others, name them citizen programmers, the work is not nearly writing code line by line; it’s about figuring out tips on how to work with AI, guiding it, and figuring out when and the place human enter is most wanted.
That is the place that liberal arts mindset is available in — with the ability to perceive the nuances, assume critically about consumer expertise, clarify issues simplistically, and piece collectively concepts in new methods.
Making ready for the AI Future
So, what ought to companies do with this perception? First, it’s time to rethink expertise and search for individuals who can adapt, assume on their toes, and see the large image. This outreach might begin on the college degree the place IT recruiters start visiting main liberal arts and music faculties along with the standard technical colleges on their lists.
We additionally want to acknowledge that probably the most worthwhile abilities don’t at all times present up on a resume. How do you measure the flexibility to see a brand new resolution that no person else thought-about? Or the capability to grasp what a consumer is absolutely asking for, even when they’ll’t fairly articulate it? These are the abilities that can matter most, even when they don’t match neatly right into a job description.
And as soon as these new minds are employed, there’s a necessity to vary how we strategy growth inside our groups. AI isn’t going to cease evolving, and neither can we. For the subsequent few years, folks will deal with studying tips on how to use these new instruments. However past that, it’ll be about determining tips on how to create with them. And that’s going to require individuals who aren’t afraid to query how issues have at all times been accomplished.
All this modification isn’t mere concept; it’s taking place proper now. As a substitute of searching for individuals who tick all of the technical packing containers, I’m searching for those that carry a artistic mindset to the desk. Hiring can’t be merely about pulling in additional STEM graduates. It have to be about constructing an atmosphere the place folks with completely different backgrounds can work collectively to resolve issues.
The way forward for tech work might be formed by those that can use AI to amplify their creativity, their empathy, and their capacity to resolve powerful issues. In my expertise, that’s usually the particular person with a background within the humanities.
