Mid career crisis

Sep 5, 2021 10 Comments

First of all, thanks for reading this. I want to get help from other blinders and get their perspective about my career progression. I have about 21 years of software industry experience and spent 20 years working in a company (X) which catered to clients in a niche area. I started as C/C++ developer, then tech lead and in last 10 years, I was working in a lot of different areas like management, integration, testing, automation etc. I learnt python and used it for automation, but that was only 20% of my job duties. My job was going ok, but last and this year made me realize that I am not where I should be in terms of my career, learning and position. I got too comfortable and did not even try to look around for new opportunities. I now have a very generalist profile, and although I was high up in hierarchy at X, it didn't really translate to the same position outside of it. When I started looking around, the skills companies were looking for had been lacking in me. I did some management courses and got an offer from Wells Fargo. I was desperate to get out of X and accepted it.
I don't want to repeat the same mistake of staying in same job for a long time and want to move forward. I have following thoughts and want to get feedback/ideas from you:
1. As I have never been away from coding learn AI/ML and switch to a developer/coder role. I am NOT a developer in my current role, so not confident that a company would hire me for that kind of role. I am ok working as an IC too, but afraid if companies would want to have a dev who has 20+ years of industry experience, but don't have much coding experience.
2. Prepare for TPM/Engineering Manager kind of roles and apply to FAANG or similar companies.
3. Continue in Wells Fargo, keep looking for opportunities to get a better role here. Once I have acquired marketable skills, move on to the next company.

TC:140K, YoE: 21 years

#career #software

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TOP 10 Comments
  • Wayfair / Eng
    bad-coder

    Go to company page Wayfair Eng

    bad-coder
    With 20 yoe if you can crack TPM or EM role then that might be a good way pivot. If you want to get back into coding and compete with kids, you totally can...but it's going to be exhausting.
    Sep 5, 2021 5
    • Wayfair / Eng
      bad-coder

      Go to company page Wayfair Eng

      bad-coder
      I'm surprised coding skills came up because TPMs rarely ever code (maybe at Google if they are bored?). Which companies are these?

      If you are good at C++ have you tried learning C#? These modern languages are much easier to write code in compared to C++. I think you could even blaze through pluralsight/Udemy like course within a week or two
      Sep 7, 2021
    • I was surprised too, as I thought at my experience they would be mostly interested in system design/management. However, almost all of them said that they are looking for someone who has previously worked/managed these type of projects. I guess it's a checkbox for most recruiters and they won't move if they can't tick that checkbox.
      Sep 8, 2021
  • Toyota
    barronbec

    Go to company page Toyota

    barronbec
    If you like IC roles, learn ML in your own time and then get a crazy paying job.

    If you like management, relax and get better at talking the talk.
    Sep 5, 2021 2
    • Are companies hiring people who have not worked in AI/ML and just have, say a certificate?
      Sep 6, 2021
    • Toyota
      barronbec

      Go to company page Toyota

      barronbec
      Not generally, BUT, it is competitive to get employees in that field. In your case you have some sort of technical degree and years of coding experience, you need to frame it as a transition and be good enough to at least talk the talk.
      Sep 6, 2021
  • You can always try for solutions architect, TC similar to TPM. Lots of SAs come from generalist backgrounds.
    Sep 5, 2021 0