Re:Shared thoughts after 6 years in Pentesting
by Bartweiss on Monday June 26, 2017 @10:46AM
(#14637182)
The whole "80 hours a week" bit definitely seems to elide the difference between "working two full time jobs" and "being involved with the topic when you're off the clock".
I think it's true that most passionate people will engage with their field more than 40 hours per week, simply because it's a passion. But hell - some weeks that could mean reading a good novel on the topic, with no direct value to your work. I keep up to date on a bunch of aspects of computing and mathematics because they interest me, but that feels completely different from working long hours and 'training' constantly.
Turning "be interested in your work" into "put in 80 hours, train like you're in boot camp" seems like a silly way to act tough (and exclude people with families or hobbies from a field). Your point, actually caring about your field, seems much better.
I think it's true that most passionate people will engage with their field more than 40 hours per week, simply because it's a passion. But hell - some weeks that could mean reading a good novel on the topic, with no direct value to your work. I keep up to date on a bunch of aspects of computing and mathematics because they interest me, but that feels completely different from working long hours and 'training' constantly.
Turning "be interested in your work" into "put in 80 hours, train like you're in boot camp" seems like a silly way to act tough (and exclude people with families or hobbies from a field). Your point, actually caring about your field, seems much better.