I have the complete opposite experience.
This isn't a major issue if you are an app developer because a side project app is unlikely to convey valuable trade secrets. A database kernel engineer, on the other hand, can't have any side projects related to databases that demonstrate their skill level because such a demonstration would violate their non-disclosure restrictions.
Many, sure. But the OP's comment was "Of the 10 or so water walkers I've worked with, 0 have github accounts."
Surely people understand how asinine it is to believe that a sample size of 10 of OP's "water walkers" is a representative sample?
If you want to make qualitative arguments, make qualitative arguments. What I absolutely can't stand is lame attempts to lend weight in such arguments using completely unverifiable and most likely non-representative numbers.
Not saying this is universally true. Just another anecdotal sample.
- Never call yourself a Junior Engineer. If you have experience, even just a little, you are an experienced engineer.
- Develop your communication skills. The barrier to entry to start presenting at meetups is extremely low, do that with the goal of presenting at tech conferences.
- Skip the side projects. Of the 10 or so water walkers I've worked with, 0 have github accounts.
- Don't buy into the last paragraph of this blog. Software development isn't hard, and the last thing you want to do is think you need to constantly keep up with the latest and greatest tech. If you step back it looks a lot like an industry that doesn't know whether it's coming or going, don't fall for the trap.