Is the bar really HIGH for Software Engineers?

We are reaching an abstracted level of Software Engineering. The more abstract it gets, the easier it is to learn it. From machine code to assembly to high level languages to frameworks and now to AI assisted coding, the journey of programming has been about making things simpler.

Back in the days, programmers had to write machine code 1s and 0s. Then came assembly language which made things a bit easier but was still pretty hard. Then high level languages like C, Java, and Python came along and suddenly coding became easier and easier to learn. We didn’t directly get the words we speak now, they got together with multiple iterations/generations.

Now we have frameworks that handle all the complex stuff. With AI assisted coding tools, we can get help writing code, debugging, and even generating entire functions with just a few prompts.

But here’s the million dollar question… if programming is getting easier to learn, why does it feel like the bar for software engineers is higher than ever?

The truth is, while the tools are getting easier, the competition is getting tougher. Companies aren’t just looking for someone who can code. They want engineers who can think, solve problems, and bring value more than just writing code.

The definition of a “good engineer” is changing. Companies now want problem solvers, not just coders. People who understand business and especially their business, not just the technology. Engineers who can build systems, not just features. On top of that, they also want those who can use AI tools effectively.

This is the age of smart Software Engineers who can still use the abstracted levels and use AI assistance for different ideas or grow on them. The best engineers today aren’t the ones who can write the most complex algorithms from scratch. They’re the ones who know how to use the available tools and abstractions to solve real problems quickly.

Yes, the bar is high. But there is good news too. For those who can jump that bar, the rewards are greater than ever. Companies are paying top dollar for engineers who can truly deliver value.

Abstraction is making coding more accessible, but the real skill is in knowing which abstraction to use when, and how to go beneath the abstraction when necessary.

The future belongs to engineers who love abstraction and aren’t limited by it. Those who can use the tools available to build amazing things that weren’t possible before.

So is the bar high? Yeah, it definitely is. But maybe that’s not such a bad thing. It pushes us all to become better engineers.

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