I went the other way - I was a business grad and transitioned to a software developer. IMO the soft skills are important no matter what. To be a real thought leader in business it's important to step away from the work and trying to think about the problems you're facing (people problems for example) in lateral ways. A lot of very technical people have a hard time stepping away from the work IMO. You just need to trust people to do the best work that they can. There is a great quote from Steve Jobs: "It doesn't make sense to hire smart people and tell them what to do. You hire smart people and let them tell you what to do."
Ask HN: How did you transition yourself from Software Developer to Business?
11–16 of 16 posts
Re: Ask HN: How did you transition yourself from Software Developer to Business?
#12I moved into testing and requirements gathering, learned as much as I could about project management and ultimately got an MBA.
Re: Ask HN: How did you transition yourself from Software Developer to Business?
#13HN: > Ask HN: How did you transition yourself from Software Developer to Business man? > from Software Developer to Business man? > Business man? > man? Also HN: Why do women feel excluded from IT?
My guess is, he's referring to himself. Also, why bother posting this?
That’s a pretty bad guess considering it's pretty plain in the title that the OP is specifically asking how other people transitioned themselves.
Other people != himself.
Why bother with that reply? I suppose the person asking could be a woman or might be a man that has a daughter, wife, sister, or girlfriend... As another poster said, if you can't see the problem here... end of conversation.
Re: Ask HN: How did you transition yourself from Software Developer to Business?
#14Earlier quoted context omitted.
My guess is, he's referring to himself. Also, why bother posting this?
That’s a pretty bad guess considering it's pretty plain in the title that the OP is specifically asking how other people transitioned themselves. Other people != himself. Why bother with that reply? I suppose the person asking could be a woman or might be a man that has a daughter, wife, sister, or girlfriend... As another poster said, if you can't see the problem here... end of conversation.
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Re: Ask HN: How did you transition yourself from Software Developer to Business?
#15One place you can start that is not so far away is making a transition from code to the product. The good news is you don’t really need anyone’s permission to do this since you are close to the product already.
A lot of developers focus on the “what” and “how” because that is the bulk of their job. Start looking at the “why”. Start asking questions when you don’t understand the “why” - being careful to present yourself as curious rather than sceptical. Try to understand the motivations behind decisions, and the trade offs that are often required.
As you become a master of the product - again not just what you’re building but why - you’ll likely find yourself with opportunities to contribute much more in the business side.
Re: Ask HN: How did you transition yourself from Software Developer to Business?
#16Earlier quoted context omitted.
My guess is, he's referring to himself. Also, why bother posting this?
OP was asking a question in general. If people can't see what the problem is, I think we're done here.
Mods: not sure why my original comment was flagged. This the exact reason non-men don't feel included!