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I’m on a sabbatical because I find myself very jaded by the industry, more or less for the reasons stated in this article. What I tell people is something like

I’m on a sabbatical because I find myself very jaded by the industry, more or less for the reasons stated in this article. What I tell people is something like “I LOVE building stuff with code, but lithe EVERYTHING ELSE.” Writing code may be better suited as a hobby for me… after all, I have the most fun with side projects… but then, as most of you can probably empathize with, how will I make the sweet, sweet six figures? I’ve looked into being an AWS Solutions Architect, but they want someone with more sales experience (???). You’d think it would be the other way around, that’s certainly what we wished for when interacting with them as “customers.” It was always “hmmm, good question, let me get back to you on that” with the equivalent of LMGTFY in my inbox days later like that wasn’t the first article I read on the topic. Anything else so far feels like a waste of my talent (“talent” - I mean I don’t want to be installing Microsoft Office on people’s computers or replacing ink cartridges). I could probably handle the “bleh” of our industry if I didn’t have to bathe in it. Even 40 hours/week seems like too much, and why do I have to pretend I work 40? Just pay me less and let me go yellow on Teams at 1pm every day.

granshaw 3y ago
Sounds like freelancing/consulting might be right up your alley. Maybe building mvps or working on relatively new products or codebases. Charge for your time and no pretend work. Yes, you’ll have to find clients. No, there is no perfect alternative to the “sweet six figures”, something’s gotta give, but you gotta start somewhere
- gymbeaux 3y ago
  Yep, I’ve done some freelancing over the last few years. I like it, but it’s hard to do that and a full-time job at the same time. Obviously the issue is getting enough work when you’re not normally employed, and when you are normally employed, the issue is not getting too much work. Clients like stuff ASAP and telling them an MVP will take 3 months because you’ll only be working on it 8 hours/week doesn’t go over well. The clients I’ve had are understanding but they all eventually want me to quit my job and come work for them, either as FTE or still a freelancer.

granshaw 3y ago

Sounds like freelancing/consulting might be right up your alley. Maybe building mvps or working on relatively new products or codebases. Charge for your time and no pretend work. Yes, you’ll have to find clients. No, there is no perfect alternative to the “sweet six figures”, something’s gotta give, but you gotta start somewhere

gymbeaux 3y ago
Yep, I’ve done some freelancing over the last few years. I like it, but it’s hard to do that and a full-time job at the same time. Obviously the issue is getting enough work when you’re not normally employed, and when you are normally employed, the issue is not getting too much work. Clients like stuff ASAP and telling them an MVP will take 3 months because you’ll only be working on it 8 hours/week doesn’t go over well. The clients I’ve had are understanding but they all eventually want me to quit my job and come work for them, either as FTE or still a freelancer.