Take care of yourself

I just read a long email from a friend abroad. This friend of mine, was a software engineer until he shifted to project management. He was complaining at how boring his work has become. He has lost the drive to advance since well, he has become a project manager. He lost the resolve to learn the new technology tools, the new methods, etc. I replied suggesting a lot of things about management career advancement. However it seemed that the wick has run out. At this rate, He's going to be a lifer, just waiting until his retirement. How sad.

He was probably wondering what life would have been for him if he decided to continue being a software engineer. He was just so tired of studying, and adapting to new technology tools and methods. He had a point actually.. when it comes to "updating" oneself, this is where the people who really know their stuff outshine people who are in this industry for the money. Bad choice I think - the IT industry is not where the money is. Be a doctor or a lawyer instead. Surely, all the expensive tuition and long years of study should merit the right to charge in one day what would take an (IT) industry professional months to make.

One of the perks of working in the IT industry in particular, is that you have more power to take care of yourself compared to working in other industries. If you were, say.. in a horizontal industry (one in which once you're licensed, that's it, there's nothing new to learn), the only meal ticket to success would be connections (probably experience but it wouldn't weigh as much).

Anyway, I told him to take a serious look at his career now and if he can't see himself on that same track growing, years from now, then it's high time to decide what is it in terms of career that he wants. I still believe he didn't take up computer science just to shift to a job that isn't dynamic. If that was the case, then it's game, set and match.

I guess that holds true for everyone in the IT industry - if you don't see yourself in that career happy and growing YEARS from now, then better take good look and take care of yourself.