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> And how do you achieve autonomy if not via taking power? For me it was by joining a capital 'P' Profession. It quickly became clear to me that I was never go
by ux-app 11y ago
> And how do you achieve autonomy if not via taking power?
For me it was by joining a capital 'P' Profession. It quickly became clear to me that I was never going to be a top tier programmer with the skills to dictate my terms of employment, so I ditched software development for teaching. This made sense in Australia because here the salary is at about the same level as senior software developer with essentially 100% autonomy. I go months without seeing my boss and our interactions consist of not much more than a cordial 'how goes it?'
I have a yearly performance review which is a friendly sit down with the boss in which I, for the most part, set the agenda and generally boils down to a summary of the professional development I've undertaken throughout the year. The meeting runs for 1 hour and has always been conducted as a meeting of equals, not as a shakedown.
The job is mostly performed in isolation which results in collegial interactions that are professional and respectful. After all, the profession is not adversarial. My colleagues have nothing to gain from making me look bad.
I often have to pinch myself when I think about the work I do. I am essentially my own boss without any of the uncertainty, volatility or downside.
If you're thinking of a career to teaching, beware and make your decision wisely. My understanding is that in the US it is a disaster. Poor pay, micromanaged to death with all the joy sucked out via standardised testing. It varies country by country. As always do your homework before making any rash decisions.
I imagine there are other professions that offer similar autonomy. Medicine springs to mind.
- nkurz 11y agoFor me it was by joining a capital 'P' Profession. I'm not familiar with this phrase. Could you clarify?
- nibs 11y agoRegulated profession. In this context, a profession would essentially be a catch-all for paid work. And a Profession would be paid work for a specific regulated body of "Professionals" with a specific designation or exclusive right to practive. Think doctor, lawyer, accountant.
- ciaranm 11y agoOr in the UK - Engineer. Not a protected Profession in the US, but is here.
- philipov 11y agoDepends what kind of engineer you're talking about. You need a license to practice Engineering[0] in the US. It's just that software developers aren't considered Engineers. [0] http://ncees.org/licensure/ http://ncees.org/licensure/
- arethuza 11y agoI believe there are PE's in the US - similar to UK CEng.
- eyeJam 11y agoPracticing law at a firm is very similar. Even from the beginning when you're at the lowest rung you're given tasks and it's assumed you'll figure it out on your own or go find help. Very little micromanagement. As you progress upwards you gain the autonomy to find your own clients and manage your own files. Eventually you reach a point where no one gives a hoot what you're doing as long as you bill enough hours. Some people I know work from home and only go into the firm once or twice a month.
- cableshaft 11y agoI was just about to say your experience with teaching is not the same as everywhere, and about to cite my friends that complain about all the petty "office politics" involved in their teaching jobs (between teachers and staff) and how easy it is to get fired (pre-tenure) when a kid decides they want to ruin your day, and generally management is one big cock-up (especially in university)...... but then you got to the paragraph where you said "My understanding is that in the US it is a disaster" and yep, my teacher friends are all in the US. Damn, I wish teaching here worked like it does for you. I'd have much happier friends, and might consider it myself.