Comment by sfpotter

Alternatively, consider being an idealistic programmer!

  - Fall in love with a single topic, regardless of how trendy.
  - Learn as much as you can about it.
  - Keep learning about it.
  - Learn about it some more.
  - Spend years of your life doing nothing but breathing and thinking about this one topic.
  - Let fads and fashion pass you by.
  - Don't settle for good enough. Try to build the best version possible.
  - Choose where you work based on your ability to reach staggering new heights with this one topic, and disregard whether it seems like an amazing CV line item.
  - Fail to even notice fads and fashions passing you by.
  - Become a master.