NPR podcast about the failure/decline of "learn to code", caution and concern these efforts shifted now to "everyone needs AI fluency", fear-based learning that isn't passion-based (well researched and source-based opinions)
NPR podcast about the failure/decline of "learn to code", caution and concern these efforts shifted now to "everyone needs AI fluency", fear-based learning that isn't passion-based (well researched and source-based opinions)
**SOURCE:** [**https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0BMax83we7o&t=431s**](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0BMax83we7o&t=431s)
**SUMMARY:**
* **The "Learn to Code" golden ticket has expired:** The decade-long narrative that coding skills guarantee wealth and job security has collapsed. Computer science graduates are facing high unemployment rates—double that of art history majors in 2023—and finding it difficult to land entry-level positions.
* **Resources are shifting from people to AI:** Massive tech layoffs (over 700,000 since 2022) are being driven not just by economic correction, but by a strategic pivot where companies are diverting capital from hiring humans to building expensive AI infrastructure and data centers.
* **"Vibe Coding" is commoditizing skills:** The ability to generate code using plain English prompts via AI (referred to as "vibe coding") has devalued basic programming skills, making elite credentials from schools like MIT or Stanford less effective at securing jobs than they used to be.
* **"AI Fluency" is the new educational mandate:** Just as Big Tech previously lobbied schools to teach computer science, they are now pushing for "AI fluency" in classrooms and workplaces, demanding that students and employees integrate AI into all workflows to boost productivity.
* **A cultural shift in career aspirations:** The uncertainty surrounding AI is causing an existential crisis for workers and students, leading many to pivot away from tech and creative fields—which they fear AI will automate—toward more human-centric roles like social work or trades.
u/throwaway09234023322 wrote (the comment Michael replied to):
Did you write this post with AI? Lol
u/michaelnovatireplied·
The summary is yeah. it was generated from the youtube video using Gemini 3 Pro
u/throwaway09234023322 wrote (the comment Michael replied to):
I just hate reading AI generated content. Thanks for clarifying.
What's the takeaway from the video? From the summary, it just looks like it is kind of telling the story of the SWE job market?
I currently have a job, so I'm not particularly concerned, but I am curious. I have a
u/michaelnovatireplied·· edited
It doesn't discuss experienced engineers, just entry level.
If I had to use my own, non-AI summary: learn to code lured a generation of people into the idea of being a software engineer and it failed post-COVID, and now the same companies that pushed 'learn to code' have pivoted to 'learn AI or else' (with a 'fear' tone)
u/michaelnovati wrote (the comment Michael replied to):
It doesn't discuss experienced engineers, just entry level.
If I had to use my own, non-AI summary: learn to code lured a generation of people into the idea of being a software engineer and it failed post-COVID, and now the same companies that pushed 'learn to code' have pivoted
u/michaelnovatireplied·DELETED · archived copy
u/throwaway09234023322 I edit my message while you upvoted, FYI in case you no longer want to support it
u/throwaway09234023322 wrote (the comment Michael replied to):
Do you know what % of CS grads are actually getting CS related jobs within like 6 months or a year or anything like that? I feel like the market is pretty bad, but if you are in like the top 50%, you will probably still be ok?
u/michaelnovatireplied·★ FEATURED
The NPR podcast references sources from a stanford study showing that SWE jobs are likely to be replaced sooner than later, and federal government stats on unemployment rates of CS grads. They state that they are 2X the unemployment rate of history majors, but I didn't read the source.
They also discuss anecdotally with examples from 'talking to people for research' how top tier CS grads always had it easy and now they are just barely getting jobs, whereas 3rd tier CS grads always had it hard and now find it impossible.
Like Codesmith has 6 month California data for 2024 students and the number of people placed who reported a salary and weren't self-employed or employed by schools can be estimated at 12%. Which is a massive cliff from 2023 which was a massive cliff from 2022.
It's an example that demonstrates a complete and utter collapse of the bootcamp grad market, going from like 80% of people placed with reported salaries in six months making $125K to 12% reporting salaries median around $110K (and that's just people who reported the salaries!).
Synthesizing all of that, the only safe bet right now is to go to a top 10 CS school and otherwise don't try to become a canonical SWE.
If you like programming, learn it to do better at your current field and do a transition WITHIN it.
u/jesusonoro wrote (the comment Michael replied to):
Part of the problem is that bootcamp certificates were never verifiable to begin with. An employer gets a PDF that says "completed 12 weeks of React" and has zero way to confirm what that person actually learned or if they even attended. CS degrees at least have accreditation beh
u/michaelnovatireplied·
The podcast doesn't mention bootcamps but it does mention that even tier 3 college CS grads always had the same trouble even when the perception was that anyone with a CS degree can get a job.
From my experience at Meta and in the industry, bootcamp grads were also seen as the bottom of the list in priority.
The one exception was that for top of funnel DEI initiatives, they considered bootcamp grads alongside a wider net of colleges to try to diversify from just Stanford and MIT grads.
But quite frankly the people didn't perform well interviews and companies quickly moved on.
u/throwaway09234023322 wrote (the comment Michael replied to):
Do you actually think AI will replace devs?
I feel like the bad markets is more of a result of overhiring and now most businesses are in a cost cutting phase, so are also outsourcing. I feel like a lot of the jobs will start to move back over time, but idk.
u/michaelnovatireplied·
It will replace entry level and empower seniors. That's what its doing now. But in the not so distant future it likely will replace seniors too.
u/ConsistentPeach927 wrote (the comment Michael replied to):
The idea that anyone from MIT or Stanford has issues finding a job is absolute nonsense. They are immediately called for just about any job they apply to. Recruiters are some of the dumbest people on the planet.
u/michaelnovatireplied·
The difference highlighted is that they used to have like 5 offers and now they have 1 or 2.
u/ericswc wrote (the comment Michael replied to):
I took a lot of flak. A LOT of flak back in the day for shitting on the “everyone should l arb to code” folks.
There were a lot of low aptitude, low passion, people getting sucked in by these boot camps and even regardless of what AI does, it wasn’t going to work out.
I really
u/michaelnovatireplied·
It was very Silicon Valley, they push the limits, they live in the future, and that future only comes true if they are loud about the vision.
I actually think every job can benefit from learning to code, but not everyone should be an engineer.