Hi. Maybe I am very much like you? I love reading and completing online courses. Day job as a software dev.
Sometimes it feels like I am wasting my potential; I know so much, usually way more than some dumb manager making decisions somewhere, but it doesn't always come to fruition. That's OK.
The career advice I received that really helped me was not to pick a profession (software dev) but an industry/sector. If you can work in an industry that touches many of your interests, then you will naturally be useful and excel in what you do. Opportunities will arise.
For me, it was the off grid solar sector: It combines technology, renewables, microfinance, economic development, entrepreneurial energy and Southern Hemisphere countries. I enjoy spending my time reading books on the history of Africa (of which I knew nothing) and of renewable technologies. Even the cliche startup/business literature is applicable. I noticed people really valued my knowledge and engagement and opportunities have been coming in steadily. My career path is to climb up from Technical Expert (software dev) to Product Manager, to CTO-for-hire. And then... we'll see.
There should be more sectors like this. Though I understand it may be challenging to switch industries if you have a family.
Actually - in reality i betrayed my ideals and took a quick break from that sector in the wake of the corona crisis, and now I waste my time in a swiss bank collecting a high salary. It does not make me happy. Don't be like me. I really should get back to the off-grid solar sector.
This is really interesting! Being knowledgeable in various areas of a sector, which means people (in that sector) would probably find it directly useful or relevant. That's awesome :) Thanks! Wish you the best going back to off-grid solar sector!
Sometimes it feels like I am wasting my potential; I know so much, usually way more than some dumb manager making decisions somewhere, but it doesn't always come to fruition. That's OK.
The career advice I received that really helped me was not to pick a profession (software dev) but an industry/sector. If you can work in an industry that touches many of your interests, then you will naturally be useful and excel in what you do. Opportunities will arise.
For me, it was the off grid solar sector: It combines technology, renewables, microfinance, economic development, entrepreneurial energy and Southern Hemisphere countries. I enjoy spending my time reading books on the history of Africa (of which I knew nothing) and of renewable technologies. Even the cliche startup/business literature is applicable. I noticed people really valued my knowledge and engagement and opportunities have been coming in steadily. My career path is to climb up from Technical Expert (software dev) to Product Manager, to CTO-for-hire. And then... we'll see.
There should be more sectors like this. Though I understand it may be challenging to switch industries if you have a family.
Actually - in reality i betrayed my ideals and took a quick break from that sector in the wake of the corona crisis, and now I waste my time in a swiss bank collecting a high salary. It does not make me happy. Don't be like me. I really should get back to the off-grid solar sector.