Just a quick 5 min zoom and a very long career is over. Even after serving my entire career, running a very large team, building software, minting $100+ Million in YOY revenue and I still could not afford a house. Stuck with legacy technology knowledge no one wants in other companies with age that's discriminated in tech companies.
I am feeling like biggest fool now and learned loyalty never pays.
Hard Lessons-
- Self serve first. Corporate companies are not your friend. They are there to make money even if US citizens suffer. Cheap outsourced labor will one day take your job anyway.
- Keep your self relevant by learning market relevant technologies. In today's time, stick to open source technologies. Do not work on proprietary technologies. In case you are stuck, have an exit plan.
- Do not be lured by false future promises. Stick to what can be compensated in present. No one knows future, not even your boss or his boss.
- You will be taken advantage of if you allow that t happen. Fight for your rights diplomatically if personal situation allows else have an exit plan ready.
- Do not stay for more than 2 years in a place unless you see string future growth
Maintain a work life balance. I regret this as time lost will never come back.
- Try getting side income, you never know when your side hustle will turn out to be life saver.
- Save as much as you can and invest wisely.