The Subaru of Software Developers

“WOW! Look at that slick car,” said no one ever about a Subaru. 

Don’t get me wrong, I’m a proud Subaru owner. It has been a reliable travel companion (for the most part!) for the last 10 years.

There isn’t anything inherently eye-catching about it. Mine, in particular, has some wear and tear on the exterior, and it certainly doesn’t have any fancy bells and whistles on the interior. 

In fact, it’s a bit of a running joke here in Colorado that everyone drives a Subaru. I got mine before moving out here and was blind to the stereotypes around Subaru drivers. I viewed it as a massive step up from my previous vehicle, which swirled around like a rag doll on slippery snow-covered WI roads!

But the longer I’ve had this car, the more I appreciate it. It is a stable vehicle that can weather any storm. It’s driven over some major potholes like a champ and safely gotten my friend and me through a snowy 4-hour I-70 traffic debacle. It even survived a major hailstorm, albeit with a few exterior bruises as battle scars.

It gets me everywhere I need to go. And, I just recently realized that it’s quite a lot like me. 

This unassuming vehicle is dependable, able to adapt, and can withstand a variety of situations. It’s not the flashiest vehicle and doesn’t go from 0 to 100 in under 10 seconds, but it has moved me across several states, driven through a host of environmental elements, and successfully navigated some tight spaces. 

The Need for Speed or The Road Less Traveled…

I’ll be honest, I wouldn’t mind taking a test drive in a Lamborghini or a Ferrari. It might be nice to drive the open road a bit! But then reality would hit, and I’d remember that blazing fast, shiny cars don't suit me. I know sports cars aren’t the right vehicle for me. If I had one, it would probably spend more time in my garage than buzzing around the streets it’s meant to be on.

Instead, I like to think of myself as a lot like a Subaru: a bit of a hidden gem. An unsung hero, in many ways. I may not be the first developer that catches your eye, but I am willing to put in the work to prove my value and display my strengths. 

In today’s market, it often feels employers are searching for the Lamborghini — the speedy, flashy sports car.  

It’s easy to become mesmerized by the fast, tech-savvy cars. I get it. The Lamborghini of software engineers is out there — but that person isn’t the right fit for every company. Remember, there are a lot of reliable Subarus on the roads today waiting for their next adventure.

Don’t discard the treasures in front of you for a glimmer of light miles away. The Subaru is a bit of gold itself. 

It’s time to remember that perfection doesn’t exist, and every hire will always be a bit of a gamble. 

What’s right for your organization? What are you willing to place your bet on?

Photo Credit: Hero Photo by Ronan Furuta on Unsplash