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Isn’t it a big loss to move into management when one loves to code?

by zoul 9y ago

ElatedOwl 9y ago
Personally, I loved to code, but management has been much more fulfilling for me. Helping my team grow, professionally and personally, is a hugely rewarding experience. I still get to exercise some problem solving skills (though I let my developers make the technical decisions) and I still help craft a great user experience, which were my favorite parts of being a developer anyway.
astrodust 9y ago
Once you know how to code really well shouldn't you be in a position to manage developers and ensure that they're doing a really good job at writing code? You'll be able to help them tackle bigger problems, work on more ambitious solutions, than they could if you're stuck cranking out code with no time to assist. If it's your job to magnify the output of your developers, when you know intimately how to do their job, you can get spectacular results. Non-technical managers can't do this, they don't have the depth and insight to help shape their team the same way a developer does.
ChuckMcM 9y ago
In my experience it depends on what you love about coding. I happen to really like systems, and building a good team is much like building a resilient system in code. Each piece supports the others. But it is not a good idea if you really are passionate about the writing. For example, my daughter majored in English because she wants to write novels, not because she wants to teach English. So in her case I certainly wouldn't tell her to go get a job as an English teacher. In my opinion, the second worst kind of manager is one that doesn't want to be a manager and would rather stay an individual contributor. Their inner conflict is harmful to the group.
wglb 9y ago
I would agree with that, particularly if you totally abandon programming. But management skills are useful as you continue your programming career and development.

Isn’t it a big loss to move into management when one loves to code?

by zoul 9y ago

Isn’t it a big loss to move into management when one loves to code?

Personally, I loved to code, but management has been much more fulfilling for me. Helping my team grow, professionally and personally, is a hugely rewarding experience. I still get to exercise some problem solving skills (though I let my developers make the technical decisions) and I still help craft a great user experience, which were my favorite parts of being a developer anyway.

astrodust 9y ago

Once you know how to code really well shouldn't you be in a position to manage developers and ensure that they're doing a really good job at writing code? You'll be able to help them tackle bigger problems, work on more ambitious solutions, than they could if you're stuck cranking out code with no time to assist. If it's your job to magnify the output of your developers, when you know intimately how to do their job, you can get spectacular results. Non-technical managers can't do this, they don't have the depth and insight to help shape their team the same way a developer does.

ChuckMcM 9y ago

In my experience it depends on what you love about coding. I happen to really like systems, and building a good team is much like building a resilient system in code. Each piece supports the others. But it is not a good idea if you really are passionate about the writing. For example, my daughter majored in English because she wants to write novels, not because she wants to teach English. So in her case I certainly wouldn't tell her to go get a job as an English teacher. In my opinion, the second worst kind of manager is one that doesn't want to be a manager and would rather stay an individual contributor. Their inner conflict is harmful to the group.

wglb 9y ago

I would agree with that, particularly if you totally abandon programming. But management skills are useful as you continue your programming career and development.