Obviously it's anecdotal data at best, but still curious, what are the results? Because it sounds very similar to the frequently given advice for software engineers 'push code to github to land a great job'.
Quite frankly it's a rather bullshit signal, since it's presence only tells you that the person spends all their free time on the computer. Maybe the know something, but a traditional interview will tell you that and more.
A person just outside of university does not have heaps of past jobs to show. So they should just leave it blank and describe their hobbies?!
An NCG should write more about class projects. Everyone has class projects.
If an NCG wants to put it down, fine. But don't color me impressed. Why should I select someone that spends their evenings alone tweaking out an extra 0.001% on a AUC curve, when I could conceivably get a more rounded individual with better team skills?