Alternative Tech Paths: PM & CyberSec for Burnt-Out Devs

Okay, I'll dive into the new Reddit discussion and integrate insights based on the previous analysis structure.

Analysis of Reddit Thread "1kzkl24: Completely burnt out by this job field. Don't know what to do."

For those in the tech/CS field (likely Software Engineering - SWE) who are feeling burnt out, dissatisfied with toxic environments, and tired of LeetCode-style interviews and onerous on-call responsibilities, the discussion highlights several viable alternative career paths and considerations.

1. Project Management (PM):

   • Key Skills/Qualifications: While not explicitly detailed in this thread beyond "pm role," it generally requires strong organizational, communication, stakeholder management, and leadership skills. A technical background can be a plus for technical PM roles.
   • Challenges: One commenter noted that breaking into PM without direct experience can be tough, finding it "near impossible" to get callbacks even with volunteer experience. This suggests a competitive entry or a need for strategic positioning.
   • Resume Direction: Highlight any past responsibilities involving project coordination, team leadership, cross-functional communication, and problem-solving from your SWE roles. Emphasize an understanding of the software development lifecycle from a different perspective. Quantify achievements where possible.
   • Expected Benefits: Potential for a different type of work focused more on organization and people management than deep technical problem-solving. May involve different stressors but could alleviate coding-specific burnout. Interview process is typically behavioral and scenario-based, not LeetCode.

2. IT and Cybersecurity (specifically Application Security - AppSec):

   • Key Skills/Qualifications:
     • Application Security (AppSec): Explicitly mentioned as a good pivot for developers.
     • OWASP Top 10: "Well-versed with top ten application attacks and mitigations."
     • Secure Coding: Being a "secure coding samurai."
     • Developer background is highly valued: "App sec teams are always looking for devs to come to the dark side."
   • Resume Direction: Leverage your existing software engineering background. Emphasize understanding of application architecture, development practices, and the ability to think like an attacker. Highlight any experience with code reviews (especially security-focused), vulnerability identification, or work with security tools. List knowledge of specific vulnerabilities (OWASP Top 10), secure coding principles, and any relevant certifications or personal security projects.
   • Expected Benefits: Leverages existing technical skills in a new domain. Often involves less direct feature development pressure and potentially no LeetCode-style interviews (interviews would focus on security knowledge and problem-solving). Can offer a strong sense of purpose in protecting systems and data.

3. Seeking Better SWE Roles (Different Company/Culture):

   • Consideration: One commenter pointed out that there are plenty of SWE jobs where you can coast at 20h/week for an average salary, and not all SWE jobs involve the high-pressure, on-call, LeetCode culture, especially outside of FAANG or similar high-intensity environments. Another mentioned working "9-3 with no on call at a non-tech company."
   • Resume Direction: If staying in SWE but seeking a better environment, tailor applications to companies known for better work-life balance, or to industries where tech is a support function rather than the core product. Highlight reliability, ability to maintain systems, and broader software engineering skills over cutting-edge algorithm expertise if targeting "coasting" roles.
   • Expected Benefits: Potentially retain similar salary and core job function but with significantly reduced stress, better work-life balance, and no LeetCode/on-call if the right company is found.

Summary of Opportunities & Directions:

• Possible Job Opportunities: Project Manager, IT Support Specialist (as an entry to IT), Cybersecurity Analyst, Application Security Engineer, Software Engineer (in a lower-stress company/industry).
• Resume Submission Directions:
  • For PM: Focus on roles requiring technical understanding combined with organizational skills.
  • For Cyber/AppSec: Target roles that value a developer's perspective on security.
  • For "Better SWE": Research and target companies known for good work-life balance, potentially in non-tech sectors or smaller, stable tech companies.
• Expected Benefits:
  • Reduced emphasis on LeetCode-style interviews.
  • Potentially better work-life balance and less on-call burden.
  • Opportunity to leverage existing technical skills in new ways (especially for AppSec).
  • A shift in work focus that may alleviate specific sources of burnout.

This analysis is based on the themes emerging from the provided Reddit thread, where users are discussing pivots away from what they perceive as negative aspects of the traditional SWE career path.