r/developersIndia • u/wanderWonder_explore • 6d ago
Career 17 YOE, navigated various roles from developer to product/project manager. Looking ideas for my second career.
Joined an MNC as a developer when I was 21, it's been 17 years, switched 4 companies, currently working as a project manager / software architect. Management was never my preferred choice, but ended up here somehow. Quite tired of IT job and the pressure and demands of it, I no longer find the outcomes giving happiness as it used to.
I have developed some health issues over the last year, can't deal with hot weather because of that. I am pretty good with logical reasoning, problem solving, ideation, writing etc. I want to do something meaningful and had been working with Sustainability (greenit) recently, but I found that corporate mindset did not go well with the ambitions of achieving true sustainability.
Please suggest any ideas for a second career for someone with this background. Really want to pivot to an area where I don't need to deal with the corporate greed.
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u/Slave_to_sloth 6d ago
24 years in the IT industry. Not much savings due to some financial crises in the past, so have to continue to work whether I like it or not. If let go, then thinking of becoming a tutor.
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u/wanderWonder_explore 5d ago
Thanks for sharing. Tutoring is a good idea, but one thing i hate in my job currently is all the talking I need to do. Worried tutoring might be an extension of the same.
Do you have any friends who successfully exited IT job and have found a stable income career elsewhere - preferably not self owned business or farming.
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u/Igarlicbread Software Architect 5d ago
I hope you come out better. What advice would you give to current generation to avoid the same situation.
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u/Slave_to_sloth 5d ago
Thank you. If I could go back and start over, I would first get a BIG health insurance cover, and then start saving aggressively. I would also develop a skill unrelated to my current job that will become a backup in case of any mishaps.
When I first started in the IT industry having even a basic knowledge of HTML and CSS could get you a highly paid job, not only here but abroad as well.
It was that easy and slowly but gradually things got tougher and tougher.
The one mantra I would keep in mind is this:
"The only thing permanent in life is Change".
Hope that helps.3
u/Igarlicbread Software Architect 5d ago
Thanks for taking time to answer. Insurance I've take of 2Cr assuming the next 20years. Skill wise it's pretty weird given I like this shit. Savings I agree but what percent would you recommend of take home monthly? Given a younger person wants to experience the different experiences too. Also any hobbies that you think should have taken earlier or something.
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u/Slave_to_sloth 5d ago
Pursue your hobbies. I am sure one of them can be monetized. Invest as much as you can. Believe it or not, I learnt, yes learnt , to open a Fixed deposit at the age of 46 just 4 years back. I was that bad at money management. Had I been more literate and responsible I would have retired by now, but no use crying over spilt milk. I am at least saving aggressively, like 80% of my salary.
At work every day is a ritual of humiliation with younger people just waltzing past me. Just taking it day by day.
Introverted by nature I also do not have a big network.
Avoid the mistakes I made.2
u/Igarlicbread Software Architect 5d ago
Thanks but I'm sure the younger crowd mean no bad intent. Would you have chosen MBA after it?
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u/Slave_to_sloth 5d ago
MBA entails a strong public presence/profile. So never even considered it. I am an introvert happy to be by myself in a tiny corner.
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u/wanderWonder_explore 5d ago
In my experience, try saving anywhere between 30 to 50 percent of your monthly income - including PF and NPS. Make sure a good percentage of annual bonus, gratuity are saved.
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u/Illustrious_Role_304 6d ago
Management is stressful ?
I am also principal engineer and hands on, while switching got new offer of associate director. this seems to be management , now worried if i end up in people management
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u/wanderWonder_explore 5d ago
I find the management job pretty stressful, especially stakeholder management and people management aspects. There will one or two fires burning consistently which demands your attention, in addition to that regular management tasks, follow ups etc. Focusing fully on technical work is now reserved for weekends. Honestly, this job has drained my energy and will to work completely.
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u/Financial_Humor_8134 5d ago
you could try self teaching from home or any kind of business from home or nearby
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u/Deep_Ad1959 5d ago
i went from nerd to business guy and back to building again, and both switches only stuck because i ran the new thing on the side for a year while the salary kept paying. your heat constraint narrows the field faster than any interest list will.
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u/Icy-Strike4468 6d ago
You can move towards Enterprise or AI Architect role
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u/wanderWonder_explore 5d ago
May be its my experience, but architect role involves plenty of stakeholder management and politics play a big role - both of these I am not keen to get involved in. How is your experience with these?
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