In this candid and impassioned article, the author responds to a student's concern about AI rendering future software engineering careers obsolete and outlines clear, actionable steps to stay ahead. He reflects on past industry cycles—from the dot-com boom and bust to the recent AI surge—and emphasizes that while AI is transforming the field, proactive learning and adaptability will continue to be invaluable. The narrative covers his personal experience using tools like Cursor Composer to tackle complex coding challenges, and he warns, "If you are a high autonomy person then you're not fucked, as long as you take action." With a mix of historical context, technical insights, and career advice, the article stresses that success in the era of AI will belong to those who build robust practical skills and think like entrepreneurs.

Key points include:

Embrace AI Tools Wisely: Experiment with tools such as Cursor Composer and AI coding assistants to boost productivity, but ensure you understand the underlying challenges to avoid over-reliance.
Historical Industry Cycles: Learn from past tech booms and busts, including the dot-com collapse and the recent COVID-induced shifts, to understand the cyclical nature of the software industry.
Fundamental Skills: Focus on mastering practical skills often overlooked in traditional education—build applications, set up CI pipelines, use source control rigorously, and practice property-based testing.
Rust Over Commodity Languages: The author recommends exploring the Rust ecosystem for its unique advantages in safety and compatibility with AI tools, cautioning against relying solely on ubiquitous languages like TypeScript or AWS-specific knowledge.
Entrepreneurial Mindset: Adopt a product engineering mindset, understanding how your work drives business value. Work closely with product managers or founders to solve high-impact problems.
Career Strategy and Networking: Build a solid public profile by sharing your work online, attending meetups, and networking with peers. Avoid startups with a high risk if they don't provide immediate growth or stability; look for roles that encourage the use of AI coding tools.
Stay Proactive: The future belongs to “idea guys who can just do things.” Develop unique insights and edge over competitors by continuously learning and experimenting with state-of-the-art coding methods and tools.
Link to Article