The Perils of Coasting in Tech
So many developers are hit with overwork. They have too much to do and dream that they might have enough time to really enjoy life.
So, how come this week a senior TOM has come out and said that they are putting in roughly zero effort at Amazon and cashing in a 370k paycheck.
So, what is wrong with this strategy?
The Ultimate Tech Job
I’ve previously written about my strategy to survive at work by keeping my head down and doing as little as possible. In my case they seemingly don’t want anything done, and I’ve adopted the strategy that I’m there if they need me. I hate the situation and feel it’s a poor use of everyone’s time.
The developer at Amazon (who probably works at OpsTech) isn’t sweating it. Yet they are representative of problems in tech, and a host of problems that will face workers like our friend at Amazon. 370k total compensation in a medium cost of living area feels like a dream, but can it be a dream without work?
The Tech Problems
Interviews are in depth and can have 4, 5 or more stages. They are designed to weed out candidates who do not shine in all areas of software engineering and compatible personalities.
It’s not working, as demonstrated by this employee who has managed to work at both Google and Amazon.
The fact that you can be so disengaged, and pulling in such a salary and not get caught is worse. We might ask where are the managers? Where is the performance process? What is going on with colleagues and the culture at these tech companies?
Something is going wrong and needs to be fixed.
The Software Engineer Issues
Confidence
It creeps up on you. When you’re not doing some meaningful work, you risk getting stuck in a rut.
You start doubting your skills, wondering if you could pass the technical interview to get into your current position.
Software engineering is a practice, and to git gud you need to do just that — practice. If you don’t work, you risk atrophy just because you can’t recall the process of problem-solving fast enough.
Losing your Edge
In tech staying still is the same as falling behind. If you’re not pushing yourself, you’re not learning and effectively stagnating. That stagnation seeps into every aspect of your career.
You’re used to coasting along so why not simply continue doing so? Because without your edge you will find it difficult to move forward in your career and feel success.
Interview Issues
It’s not just the lack of work that is the issue, it’s what that lack of work does to your psyche.
You start to feel like you’re not really a software developer anymore. That’s because a software developer who doesn’t develop software is a former software developer. If you’re not creating software and solving problems the developer part of you will start to wither and die.
Conclusion
The reality is, doing nothing isn’t just bad for your career. It’s bad for your soul. We are built to solve problems, overcome challenges and grow. Without challenge, it is tempting to stay in a low-effort role but you need to recognize that the long-term cost might be everything you love — the career, the money and your self-worth.
I hope this Amazon employee realizes sooner rather than later the dangerous game they are playing. Because once you’ve lost your edge it’s a long, hard climb to get it back. I’m on the path to preparing for my next role, and let me tell you it isn’t fun…