Welcome back to I'm a Software Engineer ~ What Next? The podcast for devs figuring out their next move. Hosted by James Wilson and Matt Sinclair, we talk honestly about what it takes to build a meaningful career in tech.
Have you ever wondered when it's time to walk away from your role—and when it really isn't? In this episode, James and Matt dive into the messy reality of engineers switching jobs. They explore:
- Burnout and bad management
- The lure of salary bumps and startup glory
- Strong views on functional programming
- The myth of startup equity
- Why time-compressed learning might be the biggest win of all
If you've ever wondered if now was the right time to stay or go, this episode might be for you.
🎧 21 minutes. Zero fluff. Tune in now.
⏱️ Chapters
- 0:00 Intro: hit subscribe, and the Missile Command t-shirt
- 1:36 Is there a right time to leave? People leave bad managers, not jobs
- 3:34 A buyer's market: Matt's four-week sprint ad and 15 interviews in a day
- 5:30 Strong views on functional programming: the Elixir selection bias
- 6:50 The lure of a promotion or salary bump, and feeling unheard: TPS reports
- 9:19 When not to leave: startup glory and "I want you to want it"
- 10:19 996, the VC screed, and Premier League vs Sunday league football
- 13:38 Know what you actually want: it only works when both sides want it
- 15:34 The myth of startup equity: discount your options to zero
- 16:36 Time-compressed learning might be the biggest win, and four-thirds time
- 18:35 James's checklist: stalled growth, values, burnout, vision, an offer
- 19:48 Wrap-up: if you're not learning, that's the trigger to go
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