I’ve been in programming for two decades and one of the things I enjoy about it is that things change. I did my stint in both architecture and management becaus

I’ve been in programming for two decades and one of the things I enjoy about it is that things change. I did my stint in both architecture and management because I thought what you were supposed to do, but I went back to programming because I like programming. I’ve worked on so many different technologies that I’ve probably forgotten more than some people even learn yet I’ve always liked it. I do get how you can burn out, especially on the business side of things. A lot of jobs just aren’t important. The trick is to avoid them if you can and leave them as soon as possible if you can’t. Every non-startup / non-economic boom job comes with some degree of Kafka, and you’re either going to learn to not care about it or go crazy. I’m not sure that is especially unique for programmers though, this seems to be most things. Unless you’re extremely talented at the HR part of organisational politics (which most programmers aren’t) you’re also going to have to build some really stupid stuff during your career because change management is hard. So hard that it’s virtually impossible for talented HR staff to do when the direction is upwards, which it’ll always be for programmers. Again, it’s something you either learn to laugh about or burn out on. The change in technology, however? Isn’t that part of the fun? If it isn’t, is that because you don’t have the time for it? Because if don’t (and a lot of jobs won’t give you this) then you’re frankly in one of those “leave as soon as possible” positions. Even so, niche work rarely dies. The author mentions mainframe work, but mainframe work is still some of the highest paid work in the world because those grey beards who actually know and want to do it are so retired that a lot of them are frankly dead. I’m not sure how you could ever work on mainframes for 40+ years and then not be able to get paid handsomely by banks. Anyway to each their own. It’s a nice perspective, and it offers you a few insights into just how much of a cog in the machine you’re going to be in virtually any job. Even one where you’re extremely well liked and rewarded. I think the best thing I learned from my stint in management is how everyone, and I do mean everyone, is replaceable. It’s just a matter of cost. Which can sound depressing, but it’s also very liberating because it teaches you to not get overly attached to jobs or employers.