Ask HN: Is working as a developer on technical route until retirement feasible?

Post by jfalcon » Sat, Jun 13, 2020, 2:20 AM UTC

mrbonner wrote: post #70

hn_throwaway_99 wrote: post #45

First, note you're likely to get some survivorship bias in these responses - older people who left the industry are less likely to comment on HN. That said, as a developer in their mid-40s, here's my take: 1. In general, mid-level engineering management jobs (which I consider Manager to Senior Director level) pay significantly more because they are shittier jobs . Sure, there is the rare soul that loves these kind of…

Your points just hit me directly. I consider myself pretty good with my problem solving skill and ability to learn. I feel like I am better as an IC than a manager. Yet, a few times, I got "convinced" into management role because whether manager left or they couldn't find people with enough knowledge for the position. I have always being able to say "nope". I've been working for 10 years, same big tech company but I…

Post by rwbhn » Sat, Jun 13, 2020, 2:30 AM UTC

Post by quickthrower2 » Sat, Jun 13, 2020, 3:23 AM UTC

Aeolun wrote: post #49

jedberg wrote: post #39

I worked with a guy in his 60s when I was in my 20s just starting out. He did good work and was a fine coworker. He also made the same amount as the guys who were senior engineers in their 30s. His salary growth basically plateaued in his 30s, after that it was just COL adjustments. He was perfectly fine with that though. He enjoyed being a coder, got paid enough to support his lifestyle, and liked that he got to shu…

I don’t know, I just cannot see myself not being rewarded with any kind of raise for the next 30 years as a good thing.

Post by travisjungroth » Sat, Jun 13, 2020, 6:30 AM UTC

aerophilic wrote: post #35

travisjungroth wrote: post #28

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> When you are an individual contributor, your value is directly a result of the work you do, you don’t get “multiplication” factors by making other folks more productive. Software seems pretty good at multiplying the productivity of other people. It’s just less socially acceptable to take credit for that increase than it is in management.

Absolutely! Software is a huge multiplication factor. No argument there! However the point, which maybe I didn’t make clearly, is this: they expect a specific multiplication factor from a specific bit of code. This is the value X they hope to achieve by employing you. If you can do X in less time/lower overall cost then someone else, then that is worth paying more for. However, that X benefit they are seeking is rela…

Post by burntoutfire » Sat, Jun 13, 2020, 9:49 AM UTC

BurningFrog wrote: post #86

renewiltord wrote: post #79

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Haha it's from the song Still D.R.E. where Dr Dre explains that he's still the same, fame and time haven't changed him. He hasn't gotten soft and decadent. He's still top of his game, still the same guy. "Still puffing my leafs, still fuck with the beats, still not loving police". "Still rock my khakis with a cuff and a crease". The sound of your comment came off the same way.

Ah. So I'm just too white for the reference :)