4 ms·

Important missing info: are you working currently full-time for someone as a DevMgr? 1) In the MSFT world, certifications are still an interesting "get your fo

Important missing info: are you working currently full-time for someone as a DevMgr? 1) In the MSFT world, certifications are still an interesting "get your foot in the door" approach. If that's an interesting option for you, you could pick your path and work your way through the cert. Personally I enjoy the process of learning and testing myself but I understand it isn't for everyone. Other options would be teaching yourself via books, open source projects, videos, classes, etc. If you are employed, see about getting your company to send you to training events and conferences. 2) You're forgetting how great it is to write unit tests all day, every day for two weeks! Yay! :D Well, here's what you're forgetting: important decisions will be made without you and, whether you agree or not, your input will likely often be ignored or you will be expected to just shut up and code it. "Sorry - the decision's already been made. Yes, I agree that it isn't the best but it's out of my hands. Can you have that class finished by Friday? Thanks for being a team player." 3) I don't think this is a real issue unless you want the "cream of the crop" developer positions. Small companies would kill to have someone with your experience take a dev job with them.

hga 16y ago
When thinking about ScottWhigham's last point, it occurred to me that telling many of the people at small software companies that "I tried my hand at management and while I'm not bad at it (or whatever) I've realized I prefer development." (And probably add some of the reasons.) Of course one danger is that you will end up doing some management, if for no other reason than there being no one better suited. That said, that sort of reluctant manager is not likely to have some of the worse pathologies we see in all too many managers.
- Tyrannosaurs 16y ago
  To be honest I wouldn't mind a bit of management, something like team leading - the 60/40 technical / management split. It's the 0 / 100 split that's getting me down.

hga 16y ago

When thinking about ScottWhigham's last point, it occurred to me that telling many of the people at small software companies that "I tried my hand at management and while I'm not bad at it (or whatever) I've realized I prefer development." (And probably add some of the reasons.) Of course one danger is that you will end up doing some management, if for no other reason than there being no one better suited. That said, that sort of reluctant manager is not likely to have some of the worse pathologies we see in all too many managers.

Tyrannosaurs 16y ago
To be honest I wouldn't mind a bit of management, something like team leading - the 60/40 technical / management split. It's the 0 / 100 split that's getting me down.