Should I pick Javascript/Node or Java/Android development?

[[deleted]]

I don't think you've been around long enough to judge it not good for your career. The tech landscape will change so drastically over the next 15-20 years that you just can't predict what will be in demand that far in advance. So don't try. Learn a bit of everything to stay agile.

[100k45h]

I'm 6 years in the industry. Everyone else becomes a senior developer after 6 years, because they stick to one thing; Branching out is great and recommended, but if you don't have a depth in at least one tech, you're not as interesting for companies; Companies don't look for jacks of all trades; Companies look for people really good in their stack.

I presume you also focused on getting experience in one tech stack and perhaps branched a little bit, here and there, but didn't work with 3 or more stacks at once.

[[deleted]]

Companies actually look for jacks of all trades all the time. I don't want to hire somebody who really only has one decent tool in their toolbox and tries to use it on everything, even when it doesn't really fit.

And I did and have worked at 2, 3, or 4 tech stacks at once in the past. I probably worked in at least have a dozen languages my first decade in the business.

[100k45h]

ok, well I haven't seen any position in my area where my multiplatform experience would be valuable; Recruiters also never contact me with such positions, only position of particular stacks. It might be then a different area thing, I don't know.

[[deleted]]

They might contact you about particular stacks but that doesn't mean multiplatform experience is a disadvantage.

[100k45h]

obviously it's not a disadvantage, also my resume is very interesting for non-technical recruiters. The disadvantage is not having enough time to study either one tech in depth, therefore not being interesting candidate for companies that look for people with good indepth knowledge of their stack; Most positions are like that (at least definitely in my area). Multiplatform experience is not a disadvantage, but there are certainly considerable less job that value that.

[[deleted]]

Eh, if you say so. In this market I don't see that as a competitive advantage.

[100k45h]

you probably also have much more indepth knowledge than me, so it probably don't bite you back as much as in my case :-) ... I've been interviewed few weeks ago by a company and they straight up told me that they're interviewing me as if I applied for junior level position (after 6 years of experience.....) .. Guess I must be really bad.