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I used to be a developer, but I never became am excellent one, because I was interested in so many aspects, including (dev)ops, qa, product management, and most

I used to be a developer, but I never became am excellent one, because I was interested in so many aspects, including (dev)ops, qa, product management, and most importantly the business side of things. At some point someone else (which is a bit embarrassing in hindsight) realized I might have what it takes to be a CTO, and I was brave enough to do that step. Now since about four years, I'm a freelance interim CTO and help companies that struggle inside and around the product development department.

marapuru 8y ago
Very interesting to read this. I am currently working as a UX designer, but notice I also have a very broad interest and knowledge in all parts of product development. What was the hardest hurdle to take when making the transition?
- ingmarheinrich 8y ago
  I don't know, I think I was very lucky. I just went from job to job (I'm 47 btw, and started working in the field ~20 years ago), and it all just came to me. The switch to freelancing also sort of came naturally - a permanent job stopped very abrupt, and a headhunter that helped me find developers before approached me with the idea, because he had a customer who needed help. I guess you also have to be "management material". Either you can do it or not. To a certain degree, you can learn management stuff, but honestly you have to be that kind of person.
  - sumedh 8y ago
    > you have to be that kind of person. Jus out of curiosity, what exactly do you mean by that kind of person.
jlokier 8y ago
I'm glad you found your calling :) Now I'm really intrigued by what it takes to get "freelance interim CTO" jobs - and whether this is with tiny one-person shops (where the CTO is also "the developer"), middle-size businesses (10-50), or enterprises that lost an executive to poaching or illness and need someone to plug the gap until their headhunter's got a new one lined up.
- ingmarheinrich 8y ago
  In my case, most engagements came from head hunters, and only some from my network. Also, I have a somewhat nice looking vita, which helps. Right now, it's mid size businesses with 50-75 FTE product development departments, but when I will be 50+, I want to get also projects at bigger companies :)
random_kris 8y ago
that sounds like me. I love developing tho, but other aspects of work interest me aswell (qa, devops, leading the team, communicating with a customer etc...) I am slowly growing in the company where I work to cover some of the roles listed. But how do you go on to become freelance interim CTO ? (as in chief technology officer)?
- ingmarheinrich 8y ago
  As described above, to me it came sort of naturally. But generally, you just have to find your first project :)
james_s_tayler 8y ago
I used to be a developer until I took an arrow to the knee.

marapuru 8y ago

Very interesting to read this. I am currently working as a UX designer, but notice I also have a very broad interest and knowledge in all parts of product development. What was the hardest hurdle to take when making the transition?

ingmarheinrich 8y ago
I don't know, I think I was very lucky. I just went from job to job (I'm 47 btw, and started working in the field ~20 years ago), and it all just came to me. The switch to freelancing also sort of came naturally - a permanent job stopped very abrupt, and a headhunter that helped me find developers before approached me with the idea, because he had a customer who needed help. I guess you also have to be "management material". Either you can do it or not. To a certain degree, you can learn management stuff, but honestly you have to be that kind of person.
- sumedh 8y ago
  > you have to be that kind of person. Jus out of curiosity, what exactly do you mean by that kind of person.

jlokier 8y ago

I'm glad you found your calling :) Now I'm really intrigued by what it takes to get "freelance interim CTO" jobs - and whether this is with tiny one-person shops (where the CTO is also "the developer"), middle-size businesses (10-50), or enterprises that lost an executive to poaching or illness and need someone to plug the gap until their headhunter's got a new one lined up.

ingmarheinrich 8y ago
In my case, most engagements came from head hunters, and only some from my network. Also, I have a somewhat nice looking vita, which helps. Right now, it's mid size businesses with 50-75 FTE product development departments, but when I will be 50+, I want to get also projects at bigger companies :)

random_kris 8y ago

that sounds like me. I love developing tho, but other aspects of work interest me aswell (qa, devops, leading the team, communicating with a customer etc...) I am slowly growing in the company where I work to cover some of the roles listed. But how do you go on to become freelance interim CTO ? (as in chief technology officer)?

ingmarheinrich 8y ago
As described above, to me it came sort of naturally. But generally, you just have to find your first project :)

james_s_tayler 8y ago

I used to be a developer until I took an arrow to the knee.