Episode 456: Will I look bad on the job market if I'm a crypto developer and struggling to go from management back to dev work | Soft Skills Engineering | Podwise
This episode explores the challenges and perspectives surrounding a career shift from engineering management back to individual contributor (IC) roles, and the complexities of cryptocurrency involvement in a software engineering resume. The hosts discuss a listener's concern about the potential negative impact of crypto experience on job prospects, with one host expressing strong negative views towards the industry due to its association with scams and unethical practices, while the other host holds a more neutral stance, acknowledging the underlying technological merits. More significantly, the discussion pivots to a listener's experience transitioning from engineering management back to coding, highlighting the challenges of balancing work and skill development, and the potential awkwardness of returning to a previous team as a peer. For instance, the hosts share anecdotes from their own experiences and those of colleagues who have made similar transitions, emphasizing the importance of open communication and managing expectations. Against the backdrop of these experiences, the hosts offer advice on navigating these transitions, suggesting strategies such as gradually re-engaging with coding tasks, leveraging AI coding tools to overcome skill rustiness, and framing the career shift positively. In contrast to the strong opinions on crypto, the hosts agree that the impact of a career shift from management to IC roles is often less dramatic than initially perceived. What this means for aspiring software engineers is that careful consideration of personal values and industry perceptions is crucial when making career decisions, and that effective communication can mitigate potential negative consequences.
