Don’t blame the game, learn how to play

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Don’t blame the game, learn how to play

Navigating the overloaded expectations of today’s tech industry and how to rise above them

Noe Osorio's photo
Noe Osorio
·

4 min read

If you’ve ever been around kids—or just listened to someone rant about them—you’ve probably heard how social media is overstimulating their minds. Kids today need louder, flashier, faster content to feel the same dopamine hit.

Well, guess what? Companies are like those overstimulated kids now. They’re demanding more skills, more experience, and more responsibilities—for the same job. Oh, and sometimes the same pay.

Let me show you what I mean.

Job Requirements Then: Simpler Times

When I was in university, job postings looked like this:

  • HTML, CSS, JavaScript

  • REST API integration (bonus points for Node.js)

  • One JavaScript framework: React, Angular, or Vue

  • SQL

  • Git

That’s it. That was enough to get your foot in the door as a software engineer. Sure, it wasn’t the world’s best-paying job, but it was perfect for a student looking to gain experience.

Side note: I didn’t learn any of these in university. But that’s a rant for another day. (Stay tuned!)

Back then, I was told to specialize if I wanted to grow and earn more:

  • Frontend: Master one JS framework and vanilla JavaScript.

  • Backend: Learn strong programming languages like TypeScript, Python, or Go.

  • Mobile: Pick Android (Java/Kotlin) or iOS (Swift), and start building apps.

  • DevOps: Choose Google Cloud or AWS and go all in.

For a while, I tried to follow that advice. But thanks to my ADHD, I couldn’t stick to just one thing.

My Journey: Jack of All Trades, Master of… Many?

Every job I had pushed me to learn something new.

  • As a frontend developer, I picked up backend tasks.

  • As a backend developer, I dabbled in the cloud.

  • Eventually, I learned about business, leadership, and even some non-technical skills.

Why? Because I love learning.

But then, I hit a wall. Despite my growing skill set, my pay stayed the same. I got discouraged and fell into a comfort zone.

That changed when I realized something big: I wasn’t just competing with people in my city or my country anymore. I was up against the best in the world. Suddenly, my local mindset didn’t cut it.

Job Requirements Now: A Whole New Level

Let’s look at what job postings want today:

  • 6+ years of experience with React, Next.js, and React Native.

  • 7+ years of backend experience with Python, Go, and TypeScript.

  • 3+ years with Docker, Kubernetes, Terraform.

  • Automated testing: Cypress, Jest, Mocha.

  • REST API and GraphQL experience.

  • AWS certified.

  • UX/UI experience for large-scale apps.

  • Business expertise in {insert niche industry}.

  • Leadership and mentoring skills.

  • AI implementation experience.

  • Oh, and don’t forget: Be ready to work overtime.

Honestly, this sounds like they’re hiring an entire team—but offering the salary of one person.

And if you’re from outside the U.S. or Europe? Good luck. The pay gap is real, and visas are another challenge entirely.

The Realization: Complaining Isn’t Enough

I spent years grumbling about how unfair these job postings were. "How can anyone meet all these requirements?" I’d say.

But then I asked myself a tough question:
What if I’d spent all that time learning instead of complaining?

The answer hit me hard: I’d probably be twice the expert I am today.

Here’s the truth: These skills are hard to master. That’s why they’re in demand—and why the people who have them are paid the most.

So, this year, I’m flipping the script.

Learning How to Play the Game

Instead of complaining, I’m taking action. I’m learning about:

  • Accessible education for new engineers.

  • Psychology to humanize tech.

  • Data science.

  • Marketing and business operations.

Why? Because I want to be more valuable. I want to step out of my comfort zone and embrace the challenge.

No one’s going to pay you to read more, practice more, or learn more. In fact, you might have to pay for it yourself. But here’s the thing: Investing in your education always pays off.

Not just financially, but in confidence, growth, and pride in knowing you’re playing the game better.

Conclusion: What Side Are You On?

So, what do you think?

  • Should job roles be more specific and realistic?

  • Or is it on us to adapt to these ever-growing demands?

Let me know in the comments—I’d love to hear your thoughts.

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