A career-ending mistake

This isn't about the time I accidentally caused a shutdown at a nuclear power station in Britain, a true story that the world isn't ready for yet. It's also not about the junior developer who mistakenly destroyed the production database on their first day (don't worry, they'll be fine).

Instead, let's talk about a different kind of mistake that can end careers, one that affects more than just a few unlucky individuals. In fact, it's a mistake that many of us are probably making right now: not planning for the end of our careers.

When I say "the end," I don't necessarily mean choosing your retirement date. It's really about defining the purpose or goal of your career. Where do you want to be when you realize that you've finally reached your desired destination?

If you currently love what you're doing and have no intention of changing jobs, that's great! You've reached the end of your career, even if it spans many decades. However, if you don't love your current situation, which is more likely, it's important to ask yourself what kind of job you would truly enjoy and how you can make it happen.

So, where do you want to ultimately end up? And is your current path leading you there? If not, what steps should you take to course-correct?

Out of control

The word "career" has various meanings, including "to rush about wildly" or "to move fast and out of control" when referring to vehicles. Isn't that fitting? Doesn't it accurately describe the career experience of most of us?

"There is an indispensable first step to getting what you want: decide what you want." - Wise saying

In reality, many of us don't really know what we want to do with our working lives until we're already engaged in it to some extent. By the time we figure out our desired destination, we might find ourselves far along the wrong path.

It's no surprise, then, that many of us end up in jobs that are less than fulfilling, with uncertain or nonexistent prospects for advancement. Let's be honest, if we're happy in our jobs, it's often due to luck rather than intentional planning.

Instead of rushing around aimlessly, perhaps we should take a moment to consider what we truly want to achieve in our careers. Rather than passively hoping for the career we desire, maybe it's time to actively plan and take steps to make it happen.

As software engineers, we constantly create detailed, intricate plans for computers to execute; that's the essence of software, after all. Isn't it strange that we rarely spare a thought for the program we want to write for ourselves?

Choose your destination

The saying goes, "The best time to start a pension is always twenty years ago," and the same applies to #career #planning. It's common to realize the need for it when we wish we had started much earlier. However, it would be unwise to let that discourage us from starting at all. Even a late, basic, and uncertain plan is far better than having no plan.

So what does a career plan entail? And when should we begin crafting one?

During the initial phase of our careers, it's usually too early to make firm plans, and the decisions we make at this stage aren't often critical. There's ample room for experimentation and making mistakes.

Conversely, in the final phase, we have fewer options, and there's limited time to make significant changes in direction. The autopilot tends to lock in, steering us further along the path we're already on.

In essence, we should be planning to enter the final phase of our careers in the right position, at the right level, and at the right time to reach our desired destination. So, where exactly is that?

Three kinds of careers

Your career is bound to encompass a wide range of experiences. Throughout the years, you'll take on various jobs in different companies, and the ideal career destination for you might be something you can't even fathom at present.

To help us contemplate this, let's broadly divide the possibilities into three groups:

• Seniority
• Management
• Independence

In the remainder of this article, we'll delve deeper into each of these destination airports, examine the local weather conditions, and consider the flight plan that would lead us there.

So, what kind of career are you aiming for?

Seniority

Let's begin by exploring the first type of career destination: senior individual contributor (IC), often referred to as a "high-level engineer." A senior IC doesn't run their own company or work independently. They excel technically and may serve as a technical leader for others, but their focus remains on doing the work rather than managing others.

So, what does a senior IC do?

The specific ranks and job titles for senior engineers vary across companies, with numerous levels to achieve within a given organization. However, let's assume we're discussing the highest level you can reach while primarily being an engineer.

In a small company, this might be something like a "senior developer" or a team leader. In larger companies, it could be called "principal engineer" or even "distinguished engineer" (sounds impressive, doesn't it?).

Keep in mind that this isn't an executive position with perks like a private washroom or a seat on the board. Nonetheless, it offers financial rewards, status, and authority. Unlike your managerial counterparts, you won't spend your day in endless meetings. You'll be at the pinnacle of your profession, getting well-paid to excel in the work you love.

"Your work is going to fill a large part of your life, and the only way to be truly satisfied is to do what you believe is great work. And the only way to do great work is to love what you do." —Steve Jobs, Stanford commencement address

What they don't do:

However, there are a few limitations. You may not have the freedom to choose what projects you work on, and you might not always agree with the decisions made by higher-ups. In fact, it's highly likely that you won't always see eye to eye with them because your expertise surpasses theirs. If you find yourself unable to accept those decisions, you can switch to another company, but keep in mind that you may encounter a similar dynamic there.

A senior IC role appeals to those who wish to remain technical, keeping their hands on the keyboard or at least the mouse. You won't have the time-consuming, cross-disciplinary responsibilities of a business owner or the political challenges of a manager. Instead, you'll get to focus on the enjoyable aspects: building and creating. Ideally, you can continue doing this until you decide to retire, hopefully with financial security.

How to get there:

First, understand the situation in your current workplace. If senior ICs exist in your company, talk to them. Seek advice on how they reached their positions. What were the steps they took? And does it align with their expectations?

Engage in a conversation with your boss. Make sure they know that becoming a senior IC is your desired career path. What are they willing to do to support your advancement? And what do they expect from you in return? Establishing an open dialogue is crucial, but it doesn't end there. Keep the conversation ongoing throughout your employment. Regularly check in with your boss to discuss your progress and determine how you can further contribute to their objectives.

Don't rely solely on annual reviews. Waiting for a year to pass before finding out you haven't made any progress toward your career goal is too long. Some people assume that if they continue doing what they're doing and avoid making mistakes, they'll eventually become senior ICs.

Well, perhaps. But a more reliable strategy is to take control of your skills development and approach it seriously.

Seniority means mastery:

The most senior engineers in any company are the most accomplished and experienced. They have much to offer in terms of teaching others. If you aspire to reach this level, you need to become a master of your chosen craft.

Don't wait for the company to provide all the training. They prefer promoting individuals who don't require extensive training. Once you've discovered the craft you love, commit yourself to mastering it.

Start seeing your current work not merely as a trade of your time for money but as an opportunity to discover your strengths and improve them. A professional coach can assist you in identifying your strengths, supporting your learning, and keeping you focused.

"Manhood is patience. Mastery is nine times patience." —Ursula K. Le Guin, "A Wizard of Earthsea"

Management

While highly senior engineers can be well-compensated, their roles usually aren't the most senior within a company. If you aspire to rise higher in terms of pay and responsibility while remaining in the same firm, you may need to consider transitioning from technical work to management.

Management often becomes the default career destination for many tech professionals. Given enough time in a company, the natural progression might involve transitioning into a managerial role.

However, it's important to ask yourself: if you continue on your current trajectory, will you end up where you actually want to be?

What does a manager do?:

Engineering managers certainly need a solid technical foundation, but their primary role revolves around leading, supervising, hiring, and developing the skills of other technical professionals. These tasks require a unique skill set, which is relatively rare.

Managing people is challenging, much more so than programming. Computers simply follow instructions, whether they are right or wrong (usually wrong). Anyone can become proficient in programming with sufficient time and effort. However, I'm unsure if everyone can become proficient in managing, and most people don't. That's quite a broad statement, I admit. (Managers, feel free to prove me wrong.) However, it stands true that many managers lack competence in their field, just like a car mechanic who can't change a tire or a doctor who consistently performs the wrong surgeries. While incompetence is noticeable in other professions, it often goes unnoticed in management.

Being a great manager:

Good managers, like exceptional teachers, are rare but highly valuable. If you've had an outstanding boss in the past, you'll remember them for life and may even strive to emulate their qualities. (Of course, you'll also remember the really bad bosses.) Even though managers don't write code or solder chips, their influence on project and company success is significant.

In fact, #managers can have a substantial impact on outcomes. We can all recall instances where promising projects failed due to disastrous management. While it's less common to find examples of inspirational managers rescuing failing projects, it does happen.

If you aspire to become a great manager—which, in my opinion, is the only kind worth being—start honing those skills now. Learn people skills, communication, collaboration, and psychology. Develop an understanding of what motivates different individuals. Master self-management because if you can't organize yourself, how can you expect to lead a team?

Getting started:

Observe your current manager closely. If they excel at their job, determine why (and have a conversation with them about it). If they're ineffective, identify their weaknesses and think about how you could do better in their position.

A great manager comprehends the needs and challenges of each team member and proactively eliminates problems and roadblocks before they arise. Why not start practicing these skills right away instead of waiting to be instructed? Sometimes, the informal leader of a team is simply the person everyone turns to when they encounter a problem they can't solve alone. If that describes you, you may already be on the path to becoming a memorable manager—for all the right reasons.

Independence

Independence entails working for yourself, most likely through your own company, potentially with others working for you, but not necessarily. However, being a one-person company doesn't automatically grant true independence. For example, are you a consultant or a contractor?

While a contractor follows the client's instructions, a consultant provides guidance to the client. This distinction matters: a consultant is independent, while a contractor is not.

The pros and cons of independent work:

Running your own business or being an independent worker suits those who enjoy it. Personally, I found more fulfillment in working for myself rather than someone else. I eagerly anticipated venturing out on my own, which probably made me a mediocre employee for various reasons in the past. And there was that little incident involving a nuclear reactor, of course.

On the other hand, not everyone desires the challenges of marketing their own business, acquiring clients, and managing accounts and taxes. Some individuals struggle with an irregular and unpredictable income, especially if they have dependents to support. Independent workers don't have the same benefits as traditional employees, such as paid vacations, insurance coverage, or sick leave. However, they do have the advantage of owning their own business.

When it's time to make the leap:

If you genuinely desire to leave behind the stability of a job and a steady salary for the freedom of independence, careful planning is necessary. It would be unwise to abruptly quit one day out of frustration and then wonder how to make ends meet during the first few months. Timing is crucial.

"DENPOK: Lao Tzu teaches: the best fighter is never angry. More important than the blow is knowing when to strike. Like, perhaps, after we experience the executive whitewater rafting trip in Coeur d'Alene." —"Silicon Valley"

To succeed on your own, you need to excel in your field. There's no one else to rely on to pick up the slack. In a large company, you can learn and improve while on the job. However, when you run your own company, you should already possess a high level of expertise.

Testing the waters:

If time permits, it's a good idea to dip your toes into independent work by taking on small, one-off side gigs. This allows you to gain experience, build a satisfied client base, and make the transition to full independence easier when you're ready. If you discover that you don't enjoy working for yourself, it's better to realize it before impulsively quitting your job, isn't it?

Of course, we don't always leave our jobs by choice. Layoffs are a reality in a volatile industry. Sometimes, we don't see the signs of impending failure until it's too late. However, an unexpected transition to "funemployment" doesn't have to be a disaster. If you've always dreamed of independence but lacked the courage to take the leap voluntarily, being pushed to do so might be the nudge you needed.

Making the choice

I hope I've encouraged you to contemplate your career trajectory, where you want to go, and what you can do to get there. It's perfectly fine if you're unsure of how you want to spend the majority of your career. That's normal and natural.

But you can start thinking about it, even if it's too early to make definitive decisions. You're not limited to just one of these potential destinations—many successful careers combine elements of seniority, management, and independence.

For instance, you could be a full-time or part-time manager while running your own business on the side. Alternatively, you could achieve independence by working as a consultant within a large organization while still holding a senior engineering role. It's even possible to combine all three by being the CEO and engineering director of your own company. The possibilities are numerous.

Figuring out who you are

Take the time to reflect on what you value and how your work can contribute to those values. As you gain experience and knowledge of the world, ideas will start to align, giving you a clearer sense of what you want to do and be.

"Tell me, what is it you plan to do with your one wild and precious life?" —Mary Oliver, "The Summer Day"

Your future may not lie in the tech industry after all, and that's perfectly okay. I have friends who achieved considerable success as engineers but ultimately decided it wasn't their long-term passion.

If you want to quit and become a doctor, a schoolteacher, a space engineer, a woodworker, or even a globe-trotting hero fighting injustices, go for it. Don't waste any more of your one wild and precious life pursuing a dead-end career.

Making small course corrections

Once you have an idea of where you want to go, let it guide your choices. Even if you don't have a clear picture of your perfect job, you may start to sense that you won't be truly happy until you attain seniority, become a manager, or achieve independence. Use this awareness to steer away from opportunities that would limit your options and instead seek out companies, fields, or sectors where you have the best chance of reaching your desired career destination.

This doesn't mean you need a detailed map outlining every step of your journey. As engineers, we understand that rigid plans rarely survive contact with reality. Instead, embrace flexibility and be prepared to adapt your plans as life throws unexpected challenges your way.

It's about the planning, not the plan

As the saying goes, you can't stop the waves, but you can learn to surf. Prepare your mind for serendipity. Never underestimate the role of chance. The perfect opportunity may present itself when you least expect it, but if you haven't contemplated what you truly want, how will you recognize it?

Now is the time to start planning for the later stages of your career. It's never too early, and it's also never too late, as long as you avoid any personal mishaps.

Let's be cautious as we navigate this journey.