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This is the thought i've been obsessed with last 6 months and after evaluating everything think almost everyone is better off going to management in late 30's o

This is the thought i've been obsessed with last 6 months and after evaluating everything think almost everyone is better off going to management in late 30's or 40's. There is no way out of it. Some of the reasons 1. boredom of doing the same thing over and over in a different languange/framework 2. Still have to get "permission" from (possibly younger) manager before doing anything. 3. Have to leetcode after work to switch jobs. 4. Have to keep learning latest framework after work. 5. In direct competition with new comers who are much hungrier and with ppl who don't have many personal responsibilities. 6. Honestly, it feels a bit weird to be the oldest person on the team by a huge margin. 7. Younger devs assume you might be bad at your job to not grow in your career and don't give you much respect.

wonderwonder 6y ago
This is kind of what drives me nuts about software engineering. I would love to work a 9 - 5 but in software you have to constantly be learning, it ends up being a 50+ hour a week career. It does pay well which is great so I have little room to complain but I feel like I am always at work.
- dominotw 6y ago
  yeah exactly. Even if you manage your time well to take care of personal responsibilities, you always have a nagging feeling that you are falling behind.
varjag 6y ago
Am 43 and regularly coding in a lead position, would chime in on some of your points. > 1. boredom of doing the same thing over and over in a different languange/framework Sounds like being stuck in the same junior developer position for the rest for your life. Not really common. > 2. Still have to get "permission" from (possibly younger) manager before doing anything. What's wrong with that? Age in no virtue per se, and really it's the same situation in military, business and other organisations elsewhere. > 6. Honestly, it feels a bit weird to be the oldest person on the team by a huge margin. Not in an appropriately senior role. > 7. Younger devs assume you might be bad at your job to not grow in your career and don't give you much respect. Never an issue if you can step in and do their job if necessary.

wonderwonder 6y ago

This is kind of what drives me nuts about software engineering. I would love to work a 9 - 5 but in software you have to constantly be learning, it ends up being a 50+ hour a week career. It does pay well which is great so I have little room to complain but I feel like I am always at work.

dominotw 6y ago
yeah exactly. Even if you manage your time well to take care of personal responsibilities, you always have a nagging feeling that you are falling behind.

varjag 6y ago

Am 43 and regularly coding in a lead position, would chime in on some of your points. > 1. boredom of doing the same thing over and over in a different languange/framework Sounds like being stuck in the same junior developer position for the rest for your life. Not really common. > 2. Still have to get "permission" from (possibly younger) manager before doing anything. What's wrong with that? Age in no virtue per se, and really it's the same situation in military, business and other organisations elsewhere. > 6. Honestly, it feels a bit weird to be the oldest person on the team by a huge margin. Not in an appropriately senior role. > 7. Younger devs assume you might be bad at your job to not grow in your career and don't give you much respect. Never an issue if you can step in and do their job if necessary.