A Reddit post claiming that most senior software engineers owe their careers more to timing than skill has triggered debate online, with users divided over whether the tech industry is truly a meritocracy.
The discussion began with a Reddit post titled, “Can we finally admit that 90% of Senior SWE are just a result of being born at the right time?”. The user argued that engineers who entered the industry before 2022 benefited from a favourable hiring environment that no longer exists.
According to the post, people who joined the tech workforce between 2010 and 2021 often secured high-paying roles despite having basic coding skills.
“If you entered the field before 2022, you didn’t grind harder, you just walked through an open door that is now slammed shut,” the Redditor wrote
The user further claimed that many developers hired during that period were earning more than $200,000 while possessing limited technical ability. They argued that even basic coding knowledge was sometimes enough to land lucrative jobs at the time.
“Back then, if you could write a ‘Hello World’ in Python and had a pulse, you were handed a six-figure salary,” the post said.
“We need to stop calling it experience and start calling it what it is: The Great Timing Lottery. If you’re a pre-2022 hire, just admit you got lucky and stop acting like you’re worth the inflated salary,” the post read.
In contrast, the post claimed that recent graduates face a far more competitive job market. It said that many computer science graduates from universities such as Stanford, Berkeley and MIT, with internships, open-source contributions and strong technical skills, are struggling to secure interviews. The Reddit user suggested that the challenge is often due to timing rather than capability.
The post also criticised what it described as “gatekeeping” in the industry, arguing that engineers hired during easier hiring cycles now set far higher standards for new entrants.
Internet weighs in
Some agreed with the argument that luck and timing can influence career opportunities in tech. One commenter wrote, “Time in the market vs timing the market is a universal law at this point.”
Others pushed back against the claim, saying experience and adaptability still matter. One user advised younger engineers to remain flexible and build skills across different areas of engineering rather than focusing on a single path.
Another commenter said roles linked to artificial intelligence currently offer strong opportunities, noting that “anything AI adjacent is like the best place to be,” with some positions receiving a premium.
Several users also argued that frustration among young graduates reflects changing expectations around careers in science and technology. One commenter wrote that many people are “freaking out cause STEM isn’t the golden ticket it once was,” adding that experienced professionals often respond by adapting and exploring new opportunities.