Embracing the Shift: From Corporate Life to Developer Advocacy
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Chapter 1: A Major Career Shift
About a month ago, I made a significant change in my professional life, transitioning from a corporate role to a Developer Advocate at a startup. It’s been so hectic that I’m just now finding the time to share my experiences.
To give some context, I've spent nearly two decades in the IT sector, and the longest tenure at any company was around six to seven years. While I’ve often switched jobs, this recent move filled me with self-doubt for weeks leading up to it. This was undoubtedly the most substantial career shift I’ve made, and it was terrifying.
Yet, I went through with it, and I want to share my story.
Section 1.1: My Journey in Development
Up until now, I’ve climbed the traditional development ladder: starting as a Junior Developer, moving to Senior Developer, then Team Lead, and finally, Engineering Manager. My roles varied from Tech Manager to Engineering Manager and even Data Engineering Manager, depending on the company and projects.
In the consulting world, each new project typically meant new clients. Sometimes, clients were understanding and appreciated the consultant's role in helping them succeed. Unfortunately, other times, they viewed me merely as a number, expecting results without considering the challenges involved. This led to frustration and burnout.
I grew weary of that lifestyle. If you thrive in such an environment, that’s wonderful! However, I found myself disenchanted with clients I no longer cared about.
Despite my efforts, I was determined to climb the corporate ladder. I tailored my LinkedIn profile to attract recruiters and even contacted headhunters for executive positions. After enduring a series of rejections, I finally secured my dream job, only to realize it wasn't the right fit for me.
Section 1.2: The Realization
I’ve always enjoyed writing alongside my IT work, but it remained a secondary pursuit as I focused on my “real” job, battling stress from tight deadlines and demanding clients. Each morning, I’d wake up at 4:30 AM to write before heading into my monotonous job at 9 AM, trying to find fulfillment in my day.
Then came a job offer that changed everything. It forced me to confront why I was so committed to a corporate role I didn’t actually enjoy. I was stuck in a career path that felt unfulfilling, even as I appeared to be making progress.
What I truly wanted was to create content, connect with others, and help new developers navigate our field. That was my passion, not my 9 to 5.
So, I decided to quit.
Chapter 2: A New Beginning as a Developer Advocate
Since my transition, my LinkedIn profile now proudly states that I am a Developer Advocate for a French startup called OpenReplay. We provide an open-source session replay tool for front-end developers.
While I could elaborate on the company, this is about my new role. I’m no longer a consultant, and I genuinely love what I do! I’ve been organizing community meetings, hosting webinars, and even starting a podcast, recording episodes weekly since becoming an advocate.
The comfort zone I once relied on has been pulled out from under me, and I’m constantly challenged to grow in ways I never imagined. This discomfort is precisely what I’ve been seeking for a long time!
Section 2.1: What’s Next for My Content?
This career shift won’t alter the type of stories I share here. I’ve always written in my spare time, and now, it’s part of my daily routine. While I may write slightly less, it’s because I’m also creating content for various platforms.
I’m currently working on a podcast about JavaScript called “20 Min JS,” where I interview community members and explore topics within a 20-minute format. It’s a fun challenge! If you enjoy podcasts, I invite you to check it out.
Additionally, I plan to venture into video tutorials soon, so stay tuned for more exciting content!
Section 2.2: Embracing the Unknown
For someone like me, who identifies as an introvert, moving into a Developer Advocacy role may seem surprising. I’ve always found solace in writing, but live interactions and community engagement are outside my comfort zone.
However, my consultancy experience equipped me with the necessary skills to handle this. While the thought of speaking to new people still raises my anxiety, I'm learning to manage it, and this new stress is proving to be enjoyable and invigorating.
I hope my journey encourages you to reflect on your current role and assess whether it aligns with your passions. If not, don’t rush to quit; instead, gradually work towards what you love, even if it’s just an hour a day. Over time, those hours will accumulate and lead to fulfilling results.
If you’re in Developer Relations, I’d love to connect with you! Please leave a comment to share your experiences.
Thanks for reading!
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