If I had a nickel for every time someone has asked me that question I'd have enough change for a year? Inspired by my friend's post here, I thought I'd write about how I ended up doing what I do now. Then I thought about it some more and decided to write about something else. Is it important to know where you are going in life? If you aren't moving forward in your career does it mean that you are doing something wrong? What does "moving up the ladder" even mean? I am going to attempt to answer these questions for myself.
Its almost 5 years since I began my professional career. It has been great so far, lots of ups some downs as well. However, once in a while when I get the title question it still throws me off. It is usually my parents or well meaning relatives, sometimes friends that ask this. I have nothing much to say to them except "I enjoy what I am doing right now, haven't really thought about the future". But the truth is - I have thought about the future and so far I don't see anything else I'd rather be doing. Yes it has been 5 years now but I have hardly scratched the surface in terms of learning about software development. Even within the consumer facing web software industry that I am a part of, I feel like I have so much to learn and grow. I am fortunate to work with a great group at my company and it is a lot of pressure to just keep up and try to excel. How can I tell myself I am ready to move to a different level like product/project management when there is so much to learn everyday?
Over the past few years, I have been thrown into the role of architect, managed interns, mentored new employees and modified open source projects besides doing my day to day. Everything hasn't been smooth sailing either. I have dealt with my share of difficult co-workers, lack of recognition and keeping work and life balance like everyone else. It is crazy but at the end of the day I am happy where I am right now. I don't know what the future holds for me yet. I'll probably end up being a software developer for several more years until I am surrounded by younger, smarter people and then perhaps regret that I didn't prepare for the next career step will kick in. However I do know that not doing a hands on coding job isn't for me. I am not a people manager either. The only management I like to do is give people the right resources to do their work and then get out of the way. I see task scheduling, requirements gathering, issue management and attending meetings as necessary but boring aspects that I am glad others can take care of.
Writing this is just to explain career development from my point of view, not to say that one career path is better than the other. There are many days when I am confused if I am on the right track thinking like this. I don't have my ideal job 5 years from now figured out. I do know what I don't want to do very clearly. So lets see what the future brings..
Its almost 5 years since I began my professional career. It has been great so far, lots of ups some downs as well. However, once in a while when I get the title question it still throws me off. It is usually my parents or well meaning relatives, sometimes friends that ask this. I have nothing much to say to them except "I enjoy what I am doing right now, haven't really thought about the future". But the truth is - I have thought about the future and so far I don't see anything else I'd rather be doing. Yes it has been 5 years now but I have hardly scratched the surface in terms of learning about software development. Even within the consumer facing web software industry that I am a part of, I feel like I have so much to learn and grow. I am fortunate to work with a great group at my company and it is a lot of pressure to just keep up and try to excel. How can I tell myself I am ready to move to a different level like product/project management when there is so much to learn everyday?
Over the past few years, I have been thrown into the role of architect, managed interns, mentored new employees and modified open source projects besides doing my day to day. Everything hasn't been smooth sailing either. I have dealt with my share of difficult co-workers, lack of recognition and keeping work and life balance like everyone else. It is crazy but at the end of the day I am happy where I am right now. I don't know what the future holds for me yet. I'll probably end up being a software developer for several more years until I am surrounded by younger, smarter people and then perhaps regret that I didn't prepare for the next career step will kick in. However I do know that not doing a hands on coding job isn't for me. I am not a people manager either. The only management I like to do is give people the right resources to do their work and then get out of the way. I see task scheduling, requirements gathering, issue management and attending meetings as necessary but boring aspects that I am glad others can take care of.
Writing this is just to explain career development from my point of view, not to say that one career path is better than the other. There are many days when I am confused if I am on the right track thinking like this. I don't have my ideal job 5 years from now figured out. I do know what I don't want to do very clearly. So lets see what the future brings..
Product or project management is not a different level at all - it is not in any means an enhancement over being a software developer... it is only a different role!
ReplyDeleteIf you are happy with your job, you have more than what most people have :).
As far as 5 years down the line is concerened, you can still grow in the software development chain itself - you can become a senior architect or a technology officer and so on.
Product or project management is not a different level at all - it is not in any means an enhancement over being a software developer... it is only a different role!
ReplyDeleteReally? I thought they get paid more and its considered a promotion to move from a developer to those roles.
Yes ma, its only a different role. At at least MS and Amazon, it is only a different role.
ReplyDeleteIt is definitely not a formal promotion over a dev role. The only reason some people might think of it as a promotion is because it is easier to get into management roles via a Product manager role, than a dev role. And that part is true - because as a product manager, you get more insight into all aspects of a product - from its envisioning to its development to shipping to marketing. That makes you more geared for taking on a bigger roles.
But again, it all depends on whether you want to get into the management roles at all...
>>Really? I thought they get paid more and its considered a promotion to move from a developer to those roles.
ReplyDeleteNot at all ma! As Hari said, they are parallel tracks in most companies. I can speak for Amazon... when you move streams, you move on the same job level laterally. There is no pay increase. And as far as the average pay goes, PMs are not as well paid as developers ;-) ... maybe senior managers are paid more, but a new manager doesnt get much of a difference either. Check out the indeed statistics :P