Programmer Employees Don’t Have a Career Anymore
Tired of the instability of corporate tech jobs? Learn why tech employment is riskier than ever. It may be time to transition into consulting or entrepreneurship.
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Why You Should Stop Betting Your Career on Tech Employment
The Harsh Reality of Tech Employment Today
If you’ve been in tech for any length of time, you’ve probably noticed that stability isn’t what it used to be. Companies are more trigger-happy than ever when it comes to layoffs, expecting engineers to be more productive with fewer resources, and leaving employees with little to no leverage. If you’re working at one of these companies, they hold all the power, and you’re at their mercy.
So why continue to bet your career, your sanity, and your future on corporate tech employment? This year, I’m going to be helping people escape—getting out of the cycle of dependence on big tech companies and moving toward something more sustainable and fulfilling.
Why I Changed My Perspective on Tech Careers
When I started my YouTube channel in 2017, my goal was to highlight the problems I saw in the tech industry. I had hoped that by exposing these issues, managers, product managers, and senior engineers who were becoming leaders would start changing company cultures for the better. Unfortunately, after coaching over 120 people in the last five years, I’ve come to the conclusion that meaningful change in corporate tech—just isn’t going to happen.
The reality is that most companies make decisions based on what benefits them, not what benefits you. I’ve experienced it myself, and I’ve seen it happen repeatedly to others. No matter how great your job seems at the start, the moment a company decides they need something different from you—whether it’s switching your tech stack, pushing you onto a legacy codebase, or reassigning you to a project you have no interest in—you lose control over your career trajectory.
“I’ve come to the conclusion that meaningful change in corporate tech—just isn’t going to happen.”
A Personal Story That Changed My Thinking
About four years ago, my oldest son, who had already explored multiple career paths, sat down next to me on the couch and told me he was considering getting into programming. Given all the challenges I’d seen in the industry, I had mixed feelings. But rather than discouraging him, I told him something I wish someone had told me earlier in my career:
Learning to code is great, but don’t just see it as a path to a job. See it as a skill that enables you to build things. If you’re serious about a long-term career in tech, make it a priority to develop business, marketing, and sales skills within four to five years. Whether it’s consulting, starting a business, launching a micro-SaaS, or educating others, you need a plan beyond just working for big companies.
This isn’t just an opinion—it’s a pattern I’ve seen repeatedly. Engineers who depend entirely on corporate employment for their career security end up disillusioned, stuck in roles they don’t want, and often burned out.
Employment in Tech is a Dead-End for Career Growth
One of the biggest traps in tech is the illusion of career growth through job titles and promotions. The problem is, every time you accept a promotion or take on more responsibility at a company, you become even more dependent on them. The more valuable you are to them internally, the harder it becomes to leave and pursue something on your own terms.
I’ve fallen into this trap myself. I’ve convinced myself that doing work I wasn’t excited about was just temporary, but in reality, every minute I spent doing work that didn’t align with my long-term goals was a wasted opportunity. I’ve seen the same thing happen to countless engineers who convince themselves that taking a promotion or switching to a new role within a company will be better—only to find themselves stuck in the same cycle again.
“Instead of fearing AI, we should be figuring out how to leverage it to start our own businesses.”
The Future of Tech is Entrepreneurship, Not Employment
Tech as an industry is better than ever, but employment in tech is worse than ever. The rise of AI, automation, and new technologies has made it easier than ever to build products, offer consulting services, and create new opportunities outside of traditional employment. Yet, most engineers still see AI and automation as threats rather than opportunities.
Yes, AI is changing the landscape, and yes, it will eliminate certain jobs—but it’s also making it easier than ever to build a successful career outside of corporate employment. I use AI all the time in my business to streamline my processes, build products, and offer more value to my clients. Instead of fearing AI, we should be figuring out how to leverage it.
How I’m Helping People Escape Corporate Tech Employment
This year, I’m doubling down on helping people transition out of corporate tech jobs and into more independent, high-leverage careers. That doesn’t mean you’ll never work with companies again—it just means engaging with them on your own terms, rather than as a powerless employee.
One of the things I’ve been working on is a structured approach to help engineers escape corporate employment, leveraging their skills to create sustainable, independent careers. This isn’t just about taking an online course or watching more YouTube videos—it’s about a concrete, actionable plan to help you:
- Transition from employment to consulting or entrepreneurship
- Build high-leverage skills beyond just coding
- Position yourself for premium consulting work rather than low-paid freelance gigs
- Avoid common mistakes that keep engineers trapped in traditional jobs
I’ll be sharing more details on this soon, but if this resonates with you, now is the time to start preparing yourself for a career beyond just employment.
A Wake-Up Call for Engineers
If you’re feeling stuck, disillusioned, or burnt out in your tech career, you’re not alone. I’ve met over 300 tech professionals all over the world over the past 5 years. I talk to people like you every day who are in the same situation. Many have great careers on paper—high salaries, prestigious job titles—but they’re miserable because they have no control over their professional lives.
If that’s you, I’m not here to criticize you. I get it—sometimes you have bills to pay, a family to support, and obligations that make it hard to think about making a change. But what I am saying is that it’s time to start being intentional about your career. Instead of reacting to layoffs, company politics, and shifting priorities, start making proactive moves toward a career that gives you real control.
That doesn’t mean quitting your job tomorrow. It means taking steps every day to build skills, gain experience, and position yourself for a future where you’re not dependent on a single employer.
What’s Next
Over the next few months, I’ll be making some major announcements about how I’m helping engineers transition out of corporate tech employment. This approach is unlike anything else out there—it’s not just another course or a generic career coaching program. It’s a structured path to independence for those who are ready to take control of their careers.
If you’re tired of feeling like you have no control over your future in tech, I encourage you to start thinking differently. Stop waiting for things to get better at your company. Stop hoping that the next job will be different. Start taking steps toward a career that puts you in the driver’s seat.
If I can do it—after losing everything seven years ago—you can too. It won’t happen overnight, but if you take deliberate steps, you can build a career where you’re not just another disposable employee in a system that doesn’t care about you.
This year, I’m here to help you make that transition. Stay tuned!
About the THRIVING TECHNOLOGIST show
On YouTube and all major podcast networks, Jayme shares teamwork and leadership strategies, guidelines for healthy company culture, and stories about real projects so you can have a sustainable career in the software industry.
Jayme Edwards
A family man and veteran of nearly 40 software projects, Jayme experienced many wins and losses over his career as an architect and consultant.
Now he's coaching software developers, managers, and business owners to overcome challenges in the IT industry - so they keep growing.