Episode 386: Stuck with toil and how to get a dev job as a self-taught career-switcher in 2023

This podcast episode explores various challenges and strategies for individuals in technical roles seeking to advocate for improvements, navigate the corporate ladder, embrace career change, and pursue success in software engineering. The discussion emphasizes the importance of building clout, understanding organizational priorities, and leveraging soft skills to drive success. Takeaways • Professionals should focus on building trust and reputation to effectively advocate for necessary changes within their organizations. • Engineers need to align their work with organizational priorities, understand key metrics, and master the business's "currency" to achieve success. • Working in small companies offers autonomy and faster decision-making compared to larger organizations. • Notion AI has advanced from question-answering to task-performing, saving users time and enhancing productivity. • Career change is possible for self-taught developers, but it requires dedication, perseverance, and a combination of hard and soft skills. • Aspiring software engineers with no prior experience should prioritize soft skills, such as becoming the "go-to" person for technical knowledge, to accelerate career progression. • Managing expectations and being prepared for challenges are essential for securing a first job as a junior developer.