Getting Out of Software Development? These 4 Destinations Are Waiting for You
Photo by Diego Jimenez on Unsplash
There are two different types of developers:
Those who love programming
Those who work in programming for the money
Speak for yourself. I’m in it because I need an excuse to laugh at those with dvorak keyboards.
Whichever camp you fall into it is likely one day you will exit the profession. That might mean retirement or one of the other final destinations listed below.
If you haven’t made a plan this can be a difficult transition.
To help you plan here are 4 reasons you might leave software development, WHY people leave, and HOW you should enact this plan.
The reasons
Burnout
It’s common in software development to work long hours and late nights. You might have experienced working in a toxic environment where your better nature is used against you and you are made to feel, that you must deliver no matter the personal cost.
Many find this type of environment to be difficult and put up with it for the money or until they find an alternative job. Admittedly some developers do enjoy working under pressure and even thrive in such environments.
People’s lives can change. Some people decide to work on a hobby or another focus. Others perform a git clone on themselves and get children.
Whatever the reason for stopping accepting working in that way is it seems to come to most (if not all).
Please. Top developers love to code. They need nothing else. Apart from ramen.
Age Discrimination
Some love to code and keep going. They don’t want to finish, and they want to give back more to their employer (perhaps).
If you don’t love it get out.
Then the hard limit to the coder’s life. The concept of age discrimination won’t be new to you if you've worked in tech for any time. This can manifest in comments (I’ve had “How old ARE you?”) or in an inability to get a job.
When you’re too old the world lets you know.
Actually, it’s horrible people who let you know.
Money, money, money. Must be funny
Some developers stop coding because there are greater rewards in management. Others work for long enough and gain enough money for it to cease to motivate them.
Without a financial imperative, many software developers will leave the profession.
What about the plaudits, the fame? I’ll be taking my laptop to the grave.
Always learning
Development is a cognitively difficult profession. You also need to keep your skills up to date, oftentimes on your own time and dollar.
Without formal training, you might need to sacrifice evenings and weekends in order to keep employable. Drop the ball and you won’t be able to get your next job.
I can’t catch. Is that a problem?
Destinations
Retirement
The classic! You can sit at home and do whatever you wanted to do all of those years you worked your coding fingers to the bone.
Just don’t leave this one too late!
I think most software developers aren’t going to go on a cruise if they live that long.
How: Make sure you contribute to your 401k regularly. Plan your retirement date and make sure you have the money to be able to do so.
Early Retirement
Very similar to retirement with added skydiving and diving. Has a tendency to last longer than a standard retirement depending on the quality of your skydiving chute.
Sounds boring in any case.
How: You’ll need to contribute to your 401k with vigor. You’ll also need to make wise investments and work to own your own home early in life. Stop with the restaurant meals and get savings (or marry a rich partner). Also, take diving lessons.
Switch
Switch your career to something outside tech!
This is the option that creates new waves of teachers who want to give back to middle school students and show their math skills. They soon realize their switch represents the biggest mistake of their lives and either switch back or to anything else (see also early retirement above).
For those who choose to be an Agile coach please recognize that is not a recognized career.
How: Choose a target career ASAP. Study for it while doing your current job. Consider gaining a new degree in your target area (possibly by studying online).
Consultancy
I know what you’re thinking. Consultancy in software development is still coding.
You’re wrong. If you saw how consultants behave in my organization, you’d see how you can work without ever touching code.
How: Contact one of those LinkedIn “recruitment consultants” with an attractive profile image. Within minutes you’ll be on the telephone for an informal chat. After that go with the flow.
HOW to leave
Without dignity
Unfortunately, I don’t have a good record on this one. One time I decided to tell my boss exactly what I thought of them as I resigned.
I didn't have to work my notice in that case.
Another time I told the team what I thought of their code after I quit. I turned my restraint off and upset my manager (who unfollowed me on Twitter. Ouch).
The only mistake was not telling them what I thought earlier.
Like a pro
Quit your job. Serve your notice. Be polite. Work to the last day.
Boring….
Conclusion
We can leave this one to The Secret Developer.
The only great way to leave software development is to collapse on your keyboard.
No planning is required, apart from making sure your last PR is merged.