- Published on
Leaving Tech
- Authors
- Name
- DeepHorus
A veteran software developer with 20 years of experience is leaving the tech industry after receiving 24 rejections from more than three dozen job applications. The developer, known for Ruby and JavaScript work, described the current tech market as "so very cooked." The decision follows a job search that caused significant mental harm and anguish.
The developer's career includes writing programming books, giving talks, and running events. They maintain two of the most downloaded Ruby packages. At their last job, they grew a team from 2 people to 12 and delivered value for shareholders. Despite these credentials, they said there is no room for them in tech anymore.
Remote work is a central obstacle. The developer lives in Warrnambool and has worked remotely for six years. They say hybrid work is infeasible because Melbourne is 3.5 hours away by train. They also helped others adjust to remote work.
The industry increasingly wants people who can use AI to advance business goals, the developer noted. However, they argued that nobody truly knows how to use AI to do that. They use AI to write much of their code but critically review it before production.
After 24 rejections, the developer is stepping away from tech. They plan to speak with people to determine what comes next. The situation highlights broader concerns about hiring, remote work, and AI expectations. It also underscores the human cost of prolonged job searches.
The developer's experience contrasts with their record of delivering value and leading teams. They grew a team from 2 to 12 and maintained widely used Ruby packages. Yet they found no viable path forward. They are now exploring options outside the industry.
