Blackstone's CTO Discusses Shifts in Entry-Level Engineering Talent and Learning

Many prominent figures in the tech industry have been commenting on changes in the environment for entry-level software engineers, and now, John Stecher, CTO of Blackstone, offers his perspective. "There's a clear transition," Stecher remarked to Business Insider.

Having completed his computer science degree from the University of Wisconsin-Madison in 2001, Stecher recalls a starkly different field back then. Software engineering was often seen as a niche pursuit, primarily attracting highly introverted individuals, which he counted himself among.

He reminisces about the days when he would dive into textbooks to learn coding techniques. "These days, you simply look it up online or inquire with an AI like Claude," he noted.

Expansion of Computer Science Education

Stecher highlighted the substantial growth of the computer science field since he graduated. For instance, the enrollment for this major at the University of Wisconsin-Madison rose dramatically from about 260 students in 2001 to approximately 2,500 expected in fall 2025.

"This profession is now highly sought after," Stecher observed. Statistics from the National Center for Education Statistics reveal a 115% increase in bachelor’s degrees in computer and information sciences from two decades ago, contributing to heightened job competition.

Evolving Skill Sets and Challenges

Today's budding engineers possess incredibly advanced skills, according to Stecher. "Their abilities astound me annually," he confessed. "With the expertise new engineers possess today, it's unlikely I would secure a position if starting out now."

The Decline of Mentorship Opportunities

Despite the technical proficiency required remaining largely unchanged, Stecher acknowledged that acquiring practical, hands-on experience is crucial yet difficult for newcomers to the field. "A solid mentorship and apprenticeship framework is essential," he emphasized.

Historically, companies tasked new engineers with writing functional tests that immersed them in specific system components. However, with AI now automating many routine tasks, Stecher mentioned the need to explore new methods for imparting essential knowledge to new hires.

"AI tools can achieve much of this," Stecher stated.

The Role of Blackstone’s Buddy System

To bridge this gap, Blackstone has implemented a "buddy system" where junior engineers are paired with seasoned professionals. With technology handling more coding duties, businesses seek engineers adept at dissecting logical challenges, using advanced tools, and knowing when these tools fall short.

The buddy system enables rookie engineers to discern the accuracy of AI tools, according to Stecher. "Mastering this skill is imperative for success," he concluded.