I followed my dreams to get demoted to software developer • Hacker News Board

Re: I followed my dreams to get demoted to software developer

#21

Post by cperciva » Mon, Feb 08, 2021, 5:33 PM UTC

duckfruit wrote: post #5

kioleanu wrote: post #2

That’s a very clickbaity title. I was reading the article and sharpening my pitchfork up until the middle when I had to stop and put it down (the metaphorical pitchfork)

I don't know if I'd call it clickbait. Whimsically worded, sure, but the author did literally go from being a Director of design to an associate software developer so it doesn't seem inaccurate to call it a demotion.

This reminds me of a joke about a violist who finds a magic lamp and asks to become a better musician. Promotion depends on perspective.

Re: I followed my dreams to get demoted to software developer

#22

Post by UnpossibleJim » Mon, Feb 08, 2021, 5:33 PM UTC

progre wrote: post #8

jacobsenscott wrote: post #3

From someone who's spent nearly 20 years trying to stay near the bottom of the org chart, welcome!

I've always fought to stay a developer as well. It seems that as soon as I know a codebase well enough to be really productive, there is a "team lead" or "scrum master" role waiting. Once or twice I've even fallen for it but the result have always been more meetings, less customer interaction, more responsibility and somehow less power over the product. Pay has stayed the same of course.

I've always found it difficult to come up with OKRs (goals - insert company BS euphemism here) that were acceptable but didn't force me towards a management position. It is just assumed that the goal in any company that a person should want to herd cats as a living.

Re: I followed my dreams to get demoted to software developer

#23

Post by gryn » Mon, Feb 08, 2021, 5:34 PM UTC

giantg2 wrote: post #15

leowoo91 wrote: post #12

As someone trapped into the software, does anyone know how I can go out?

I'd say just tough it out with the goal to F.I.R.E.

not all software developpers work in the US.

Re: I followed my dreams to get demoted to software developer

#24

Post by geophile » Mon, Feb 08, 2021, 5:36 PM UTC

Good for you.

I was in startups for 25 years, (except for a few years in an acquiring company), and I had this ongoing debate with myself and my bosses for many years: Should I stay on the technical side (developer, architect), or go into management?

On one hand, I thought that I "should" go into management because ... that's what people do, right? On the other hand, I loathed management. Even as a team lead, meetings made me literally sick to my stomach, (well, once).

I kept torturing myself with this decision over the years, until my boss cleared it up for me. He said that if I hated being a manager, that I would suck at it, and be constantly miserable. So don't do it. It was so obvious once he said it. So I didn't become a manager, and I never worried about it again.

Re: I followed my dreams to get demoted to software developer

#25

Post by the_only_law » Mon, Feb 08, 2021, 5:36 PM UTC

itsmemattchung wrote: post #14

I wonder how many other of us have had "non conventional" careers, stepping down from (whatever) higher paying positions in order to work as developers. Similar to the author of the article, I stepped down from management, took a pay cut, in order to become a developer. Eventually, after many years, my pay caught up and the temporary sacrifice was totally worth it.

I’ve been thinking about going the other way (developer->something else) and all I have to say is holy shit being in software is in many ways a godsend. When I look at other fields and the credentials required/pay it’s somewhat a marvel that some uneducated kid with barely no experience such as myself was able to get into what’s considered a high paying technical field.

Re: I followed my dreams to get demoted to software developer

#26

Post by gumby » Mon, Feb 08, 2021, 5:36 PM UTC

spicymaki wrote: post #9

I just get a feeling that no matter how privileged you are, how intelligent you are, how high or low a position you are in, or how much money you make there is going to be some random article on HN to make you feel insecure.

What about it makes you insecure? It's about someone who changed jobs because they decided they'd prefer to do something else.

It isn't one of those "in six weeks I turned my side gig into a Nobel-prize winning web site and now I'm a billionaire" clickbait articles.

Re: I followed my dreams to get demoted to software developer

#27

Post by soneca » Mon, Feb 08, 2021, 5:37 PM UTC

itsmemattchung wrote: post #14

I wonder how many other of us have had "non conventional" careers, stepping down from (whatever) higher paying positions in order to work as developers. Similar to the author of the article, I stepped down from management, took a pay cut, in order to become a developer. Eventually, after many years, my pay caught up and the temporary sacrifice was totally worth it.

Similar here. I took a 50% cut from a Director at an NGO to junior frontend developer (with a 8-month no earnings interval while I studied software development). Now, 4 years later, I am earning 6 times that pre-dev earnings.

Re: I followed my dreams to get demoted to software developer

#28

Post by emptyfile » Mon, Feb 08, 2021, 5:37 PM UTC

saghm wrote: post #10

duckfruit wrote: post #5

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I don't know if I'd call it clickbait. Whimsically worded, sure, but the author did literally go from being a Director of design to an associate software developer so it doesn't seem inaccurate to call it a demotion.

This might be excessively nitpicky, but the use of the phrase "_got_ demoted" (emphasis mine) implies to me a lack of control over the situation. It's technically correct, but it sounds like it was a punishment rather than what it actually was (namely, a career choice).

Same. English isn't my first language so I'm not sure, but the title doesn't' seem sincere when the subtitle reads "Kristina Lustig, formerly our Director of Design, explains why she took a new role as an associate software developer"

Re: I followed my dreams to get demoted to software developer

#29

Post by dlkf » Mon, Feb 08, 2021, 5:38 PM UTC

jbay808 wrote: post #6

Kind of frustrating to see this framed as a "demotion". But it's great to see someone starting over in a new career track that suits them better.

I interpreted it as tongue-in-cheek. On my reading, the point of the article is that titles and prestige are far less important than being excited about what you're working on. If having a more fulfilling job means a less fancy title (and you can afford the pay cut) you should go for it.

Sometimes people working in tech lose sight of why they went into this field. The author's enthusiasm is a great reminder why. Fantastic article.

Re: I followed my dreams to get demoted to software developer

#30

Post by munchbunny » Mon, Feb 08, 2021, 5:39 PM UTC

jbay808 wrote: post #6

Kind of frustrating to see this framed as a "demotion". But it's great to see someone starting over in a new career track that suits them better.

I think it’s just to make an attention grabbing title.

After reading this, I’m just genuinely happy for the author. I think that not everyone is in a position to do that kind of thing, but for those who can, I wish we all had that kind of courage and the willingness to put in the extra work to make it happen.

For context, my last job change was also a diagonal step down and an overall step up in happiness. Not as dramatic though. I also did it because I felt like I was innately more suited to a different role.