Career Advice

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Ancalagon

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Hey guys,

I'd appreciate some advice on what to do at the moment.

I studied a BSc (Hons) degree in Computer science at Rhodes University. Since then, I've worked as a programmer for the last 8 years, which includes a stint as an entrepreneur. I realized I didn't enjoy programming that much anymore, so last year I started studying towards a Graduate Diploma in Engineering at Wits. I'm doing mostly industrial engineering subjects, such as Supply Chain Management and Production and Operations Management, which I really enjoy it. I finish my GDE this year and hopefully next year I can convert to either an MSc or MEng.

Anyway, I'm working as a software developer now, and my company knows I am unhappy in my role. They would like to move me, but, there isn't really much of a hurry from their side. They have known that I am unhappy for the last couple of months. Part of the problem is that I don't know the exact role that I want to go into. I know what I enjoy and what I don't enjoy, but not what my future title should be, if that makes sense. The other problem is that I am profitable for them as a programmer, and right now, I can't prove that I will be profitable as something else. They say that they can see me in a leadership position, such as an architect role. We are waiting for new projects to start, and perhaps I'll head up one of those new projects.

Why don't I enjoy programming? It doesn't interest me all that much. You need a lot of passion for it, to be the best, and I don't have that passion. I'm not the kind of guy to read StackOverFlow after hours. I'd rather read books like The Goal, or read articles on employee motivation on LinkedIn. Or do some creative writing. I don't care what the latest JavaScript framework is, I care about how to make sure employees are productive and work is not wasted.

I'm also sick of the Business vs Technical divide. I want to be on the business side, not on the technical side. I find business problems interest me a lot more than technical problems. Things like, contract negotiation, people management, etc are a lot more interesting to me than fixing compiler problems.

I do enjoy programming as a technical challenge. Like when I was working on my own computer game, I enjoyed that. It's creative expression in code and its hugely enjoyable. Finding out what the latest Javascript variant is, or learning a new way to write a customer module, is not enjoyable to me.

I suppose my question is - what should my first career step be? I need to make the first step away from programming. In a sense, the first step determines the end goal, or at least, how I reach it. Should I be going for a business analyst position? I wasn't sure I would enjoy that - I suppose I'd be worried that it would bore me eventually, like programming does. Thinking about it, maybe it is an ideal first step. My technical knowledge counts for a lot there, and so would my business knowledge (the little that I have at this stage). My analytical thinking would also lend itself well there.

I proposed to my boss that they move me into a project manager/architect role. He said he would think about it - the problem he has is that he thinks such a person might be too busy. I think the thing is that my company likes architects to have oversight over multiple projects. I would like to oversee a single project, and be the only point of responsibility for that project. Ie, if something goes wrong, you know exactly who to blame - me. It would also naturally mean I would not have much time for coding, even if technical knowledge is required.

Its not that I am desperate to leave my current company, I'm just not sure where I should be moving to.

Any ideas?
 
Being the PM or the BA would probably be perfect for you.
Maybe consider making a move to another company for precisely that role?

The problem is that most SA companies, when they realize "o f0k he is unhappy" they go into defensive mode and then disconnect i.e. they fully expect you to leave and then wait for it to happen.
 
Shoo you have quite a big decision to make here, where are you based perhaps either myself or a colleague can spend some time with you to help you make a decision?
 
Koosi said:
Being the PM or the BA would probably be perfect for you.
Maybe consider making a move to another company for precisely that role?

The problem is that most SA companies, when they realize "o f0k he is unhappy" they go into defensive mode and then disconnect i.e. they fully expect you to leave and then wait for it to happen.
Click to expand...

I dont want to move if I don't have to.

It isn't that my company is completely closed to me moving, its just that it doesnt suit them right now. Problem is, I'm pretty unhappy.

I think what I want to do is make a decision about exactly where I want to go. Let's say I make a decision to become PM. Then I can go to them, and say right this is what I want. If they can't provide me with that opportunity, then I need to look elsewhere.

WhiteRaven said:
Shoo you have quite a big decision to make here, where are you based perhaps either myself or a colleague can spend some time with you to help you make a decision?
Click to expand...

Sure, send me a PM with your contact details and we can discuss it.

I'm based in Bryanston, Sandton.
 
I get the impression that programming is perhaps not challenging enough, are you sure you are not simply looking for something more 'technically advanced' such as electronic engineering or do you prefer management/business/entrepreneurial as such ?
 
etienne_marais said:
I get the impression that programming is perhaps not challenging enough, are you sure you are not simply looking for something more 'technically advanced' such as electronic engineering or do you prefer management/business/entrepreneurial as such ?
Click to expand...

I think a bit of both.

The times I have really enjoyed programming are times when it was really technically difficult. Not difficult because the client is an idiot!

If I had to choose though, I would probably go for the management/business/entrepreneurial side of things.
 
etienne_marais said:
I get the impression that programming is perhaps not challenging enough, are you sure you are not simply looking for something more 'technically advanced' such as electronic engineering or do you prefer management/business/entrepreneurial as such ?
Click to expand...

Stay away from electronic engineering... soul destroying work!
 
I just feel it' s just a phase you are going through. I wonder if you will enjoy the BA/PM/etc - doing documentation and attending endless meetings.
I'm 34 and see myself doing software development for the next 34 years.
I honestly can't see myself doing anything else.
 
Fuma said:
I just feel it' s just a phase you are going through. I wonder if you will enjoy the BA/PM/etc - doing documentation and attending endless meetings.
I'm 34 and see myself doing software development for the next 34 years.
Click to expand...

I don't think so.

I feel like, the way I have been growing since leaving university has had me becoming a lot more interested in non technical subjects. I'm really enjoying Industrial Engineering, for instance.

If I had known then what I know now, I would not have studied Computer Science. I probably would have studied Business Science.

I'd actually rather do documentation and meetings to be honest!
 
Don't do that M if you are not sure what you want to do with it, unless you really like the studying. It is a major drag to finish post-graduate studies without a proper carrot at the end!
 
Skerminkel said:
Don't do that M if you are not sure what you want to do with it, unless you really like the studying. It is a major drag to finish post-graduate studies without a proper carrot at the end!
Click to expand...

I am enjoying it, I must say. I don't really know what I want to do with it, to be honest.
 
Koosi said:
Stay away from electronic engineering... soul destroying work!
Click to expand...

Perhaps for you. Other people enjoy it, my mate is one and he gets paid very well and loves the work.
 
Ancalagon said:
I am enjoying it, I must say. I don't really know what I want to do with it, to be honest.
Click to expand...

Then go for it! At least those letters on your CV will always tell people that you can work at a certain academic level, even if the actual knowledge is of little direct value.
 
There sort of is a dev manager above me already. Recently appointed.

Oh and the company is going through restructuring of sorts. My job isn't in danger, but my future is uncertain.
 
I've been through the same thing for many years now.

The thing I found is that companies wants specialists not generalists. It's very debatable to which is better for a company or an employee. I personally enjoy being a generalist, because you get exposure to so much more interesting aspects of business and technologies. To me it's more rewarding. At the moment I'm gravitating more towards being an entrepreneur, because I get to code, but also get to think on how to be creative and make a business successful. To me, being an entrepreneur, you need to be a generalist of some sorts. Besides, I’m tired of working for a boss and having to prove and sell myself the whole time, but that is just me :)

So maybe you should aim to get a job which requires a more diverse set of skills. A job that requires you be the BA, project manager and developer. Unfortunately, or fortunately, these type of companies tend to be smaller. Or stick it out, and put in the effort after hours to doing your own thing.
 
There is an opportunity for me to move internally to a BA/PM role....

....BUT I would be moving from the worst project in the company, to the second worst project. In fact, given that the project I am now is actually stable (thanks in large part to me), it is no longer the worst project in the company. So, I would be going from the former worst project in the company to the current second worst project in the company, although under a different role.

If I turn it around, then it will look very good for me and open up other doors for me. But, right now my frustration levels are extremely high, owing to the fact I was on the worst project in the company for months on end basically without any support. I worry that, if I were to move to this other project, my frustration levels would continue to rise and I would basically have to leave.
 
Fuma said:
Someone has to do the job. It so happens to be you.
Click to expand...

Could be, but short sighted thinking.

If I resign due to frustration, it costs the company money. I think both parties would want to avoid that if at all possible.

Besides which, having a BA/PM join the team and then leave after 3 months will look VERY bad to the client.
 
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