Look, I’m all for people following their dreams. Want to be an astronaut? Go for it. Think you can be the next big rock star? Sure, why not. But here’s the cold, hard truth: not everyone is cut out to be a software developer. And that’s not gatekeeping—it’s just reality.
Some people simply lack the logical reasoning, problem-solving mindset, or sheer persistence required to write code that actually works. And no amount of bootcamps, YouTube tutorials, or “Learn to Code in 30 Days” courses can change that.
The Harsh Reality: Some Brains Just Don’t Work That Way
Being a developer isn’t about memorizing syntax or knowing which framework is trendy this year. It’s about thinking logically, breaking down complex problems, and creating solutions that don’t explode the second a user does something unexpected.
Some people just… can’t do that. They struggle with if-statements, panic at recursion, and write code that reads like a ransom note. And you know what? That’s fine. Not everyone has the mind for software development, just like I’ll never be a ballet dancer (trust me, no one wants to see that).
You wouldn’t tell a tone-deaf person to become a singer. So why do we keep pretending that anyone can become a developer if they just “try hard enough”?
Management’s Fantasy vs. Reality
You know what makes this even worse? Management forcing these people onto the team.
I can tell within a couple of days—hell, sometimes within hours—if someone will ever be a real developer. And yet, I’m expected to “train them up” or “give them a chance” because some clueless manager thinks every warm body with a keyboard can contribute.
Spoiler alert: They can’t.
What happens next? Months wasted on hand-holding, fixing their broken code, and pretending they’re making progress. Then, when deadlines slip, guess who gets blamed? Not the manager who hired them. Not the person struggling. Me. Because somehow, it’s my fault they still can’t grasp a for loop after six months.
This isn’t mentorship. This is babysitting. And it’s killing productivity, morale, and my will to live.
The Flip Side: Developers Should Stay Away from Design
Before you start thinking this is some elitist rant, let me balance things out: Most developers—including the good ones—should never, ever, under any circumstances, be allowed near visual design.
We might be able to build an API that scales to a billion users, but give us a UI to design, and suddenly we’re putting buttons in random places, choosing colors that clash violently, and creating layouts that make users cry.
Some of us think centered text is enough to make something look “nice.” Others believe that a gray button with black text is totally fine for a call-to-action. And let’s not even talk about font choices—developers who pick Comic Sans should be banned from touching CSS ever again.
The difference? Most developers know they’re bad at design. Some people trying to be developers don’t realize they just… don’t have the mind for it.
Just Accept It and Find What You’re Good At
There’s no shame in realizing that coding isn’t for you. There are plenty of other tech-related jobs that don’t require deep logical reasoning—project management, QA, tech support, or even technical writing.
But forcing yourself into a field where your brain simply doesn’t click with the work? That’s a recipe for frustration, failure, and bad code that ruins projects for everyone.
And for the managers out there: STOP forcing “developers” onto teams when they clearly aren’t cut out for it. You’re not being inclusive, you’re being destructive. Some people will never be developers, and that’s okay. But forcing me to carry them isn’t.
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