On: Every modeler is supposed to be a great Python pro...

[c54]

If OP wants to make models but never worry about them after doing the fun bits, it sounds like they might enjoy academia. The industry premium salary is in part from doing all the work around the “fun part”. As others have mentioned that’s where a lot of the value is, and nobody wants to be your servant.

Though even in academics, you have to write the paper yourself after doing the fun bits.

[LAC-Tech → c54]

You're always somebody's servant in programming.

If you're doing frontend, you're a servant for the user. Backend, you're a servant for the frontend.

I feel like a specialist who can communicate well and respects what other people do - is incredibly valuable, if a bit rare.

[kgwgk → c54]

> nobody wants to be your servant.

Most people in IT industry are servants of others.

It’s not just an industry/academia divide. The issue here is independent contractor / large company.