I have an MBA from a top 3 school and have a high-paying job as a PM at a top 3 tech company. But I don't feel like I am building tangible skills as a PM, it is more about project management and coordinating. I think about the future and get excited about technology and the types of things you can build and contribute to if you know how to code (e.g. block chain, deep learning, etc.). I have a feeling tremendous opportunity will be available over the next 10 years to software developers while other disciplines such as management become less and less important. Am I crazy to make this career switch?
Ask HN: I will quit my job as a PM to join a coding bootcamp. Am I crazy?
1–10 of 229 posts
Re: Ask HN: I will quit my job as a PM to join a coding bootcamp. Am I crazy?
#2[deleted]
Re: Ask HN: I will quit my job as a PM to join a coding bootcamp. Am I crazy?
#3What is driving you to seek this change? What do you want to be doing 3 years from now?
Re: Ask HN: I will quit my job as a PM to join a coding bootcamp. Am I crazy?
#4Nope. But you should make sure you actually enjoy coding. I did the switch like you (from running a small startup to doing a bootcamp and becoming a developer).
Several of the people in my cohort didn't become a developers though, as they didn't seem to have the proper motivation to put in the necessary work (at least not to manage it in a 3-5 month period).
You can read about my experience going from non-technical to technical here: https://medium.com/learning-new-stuff/from-non-technical-to-...
Re: Ask HN: I will quit my job as a PM to join a coding bootcamp. Am I crazy?
#5[deleted]
Re: Ask HN: I will quit my job as a PM to join a coding bootcamp. Am I crazy?
#6You're not crazy, but temper your job and income expectations. (though you may get hired because of your PM experience, to do PM) Most bootcampers when they come out are ready to be an intern and start learning. Your life will be much different than your used to, but if you're in it for the long term, that's not a problem.
As for learning to code because of things like the blockchain, etc, keep in mind that bootcamps teach you to build web apps, not that level of programming.
Re: Ask HN: I will quit my job as a PM to join a coding bootcamp. Am I crazy?
#7Bootcamps are for people who need employment quickly. Since you are employed, you can take evening and weekend programming classes to see if you like it before taking the plunge.
Re: Ask HN: I will quit my job as a PM to join a coding bootcamp. Am I crazy?
#8What future role do you see yourself playing in the industry? Well paid geek, founder, investor, researcher ?
Re: Ask HN: I will quit my job as a PM to join a coding bootcamp. Am I crazy?
#9Yes, you're crazy. Keep your high paying job. Learn computer science on the side.
The really interesting stuff usually requires deeper knowledge and skills. For problems worth solving, 15 years experience as a CRUD developer is no better than 15 years experience as a project manager. Making this career change won't necessarily help you gain the skills you want.
Re: Ask HN: I will quit my job as a PM to join a coding bootcamp. Am I crazy?
#10Quite possibly, but consult professional help if necessary.