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I followed my dreams to get demoted to software developer

stackoverflow.blog

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

#41

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

Sure. No one can tell you exactly what job to apply, only you know what you'd really love. If you feel "trapped", start searching for something that you love doing (and also can get paid for that) that doesn't feel trapped. When you find it, you'll feel that it's the right thing.

Unfortunately I’m never remotely qualified for the rare occasion I see I job I’d “love”.

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

#42
I wish her well in her endeavors.

Her staying at her current company is a warning flag. It doesn't sound like she went through any other interview process at other companies, so she doesn't yet have full understanding of what's required to be in software engineering field.

The most likely path is that she will be guided into some sort of Software Development Management role after couple of lackluster years as "software developer" role. Many, if not most, software engineers burn out after couple of years or get into comfort zone and stagnate or get moved into management roles.

There's huge propaganda push to get certain groups into software engineering, women, minorities, etc. The central planners decided software engineering field had to change. The motivation is mostly financial, they need to increase number of available candidates to drive down salary increases in software engineering.

The quality of candidates has suffered because of this push, men, women, etc. Most people are simply not interested in software engineering field. Some people find out too late, after spending too much money and time trying to pursue a career in software engineering.

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

#45

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

If you want to get on the managerial side, you have to learn how to get people to listen to you and do what you ask of them. You have to become an annoyingly squeaky wheel and develop your soft-skill Jedi mind-tricks.

Or you can drop it all and start your business, which means all of the above plus sales plus lots of patience and little or no pay.

Otherwise, you can always change career completely.

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

#46
post #7

An inspirational story that anyone, at any level, can always reinvent themselves given time, patience, and a plan. That said, "demotion" doesn't seem like the right word. Yes, going from Director to general population is technically a step down, but more realistically this is a lateral move. In a lateral move sometimes you get to keep your pay but almost never your rank.

Does it say she kept her old salary? The going rate for a design director is probably a lot higher than that of an entry-level software engineer.

Came here to ask this. It doesn't say, but I think that'd be a key part of the "frank discussions" she had with her manager.

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

#48
post #11

When you think Managers (Directors) are more worth then the peoples who actually create something. Maybe have a look at Gates and Musk who are actually engineers rather then Managers....or more correct Managing-Engineers. But congratulation for your "demotion".

What you're ignorant of is intangible value. Sure there are managers and C levels that don't, but I'd bet that most are successful at creating value that you're just quite not able to see.

>but I'd bet that most are successful at creating value that you're just quite not able to see.

I did not say they create nothing, i just said that they should not be held to a higher "rank" than people who actually create something real, with that said there should not be a feeling of "demotion" from director to developer...quite the opposite in fact.

BTW: Look at your reaction, instantly calling me ignorant because i think managers are just gears in the system and NOT drivers.

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

#49

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Sure. No one can tell you exactly what job to apply, only you know what you'd really love. If you feel "trapped", start searching for something that you love doing (and also can get paid for that) that doesn't feel trapped. When you find it, you'll feel that it's the right thing.

Unfortunately I’m never remotely qualified for the rare occasion I see I job I’d “love”.

So do what you need to do to become qualified.

Or don't.

It's your life.

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

#50
I studied a bachelor CS / master CS, having worked for 2 years (odd jobs as a dev), and I have to struggle interview after interview by myself. I dream about getting this kind of mentorship from a such an amazing company. Yet, when I apply to Stackoverflow, I don't even get a chance to be interviewed. The mentorship that she received is so super lucky, I hope she realizes that.

I'll bet you this: if I (or most CS master graduates from The Netherlands [1]) would receive a similar kind of treatment, then they'd nail that software developer position in terms of skill [2].

[1] I can't comment on other CS master programs, but I've followed lectures at: Utrecht, Amsterdam (both of them) and have seen what they're capable of at Delft.

[2] I'm not making claims about culture or communication.

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