Last week RedMonk‘s James Governor asked on Twitter: “Software Developers: do you think vertical industry expertise is important to your career?” The responses were interesting. Most seemed to think that vertical experience is important, but a few disagreed. Laurence Hart noted that vertical experience is important for moving into roles other than development. Gareth Rushgrove said yes, but mainly for “taking something that a specific vertical is good at, then applying it to a different vertical.” Simon Brown dissented, saying it wasn’t important “provided you have the ability to pick up what you need.”
What do you think? Is vertical experience important for your career?
The choices in the poll were modeled after the ones in the IBM survey that inspired Governor’s question.
