Why Do Programmers Accept Being Stuck in Their Career?
Software Development Career Advice
There's some crazy stuff going down in the tech industry. But one of the biggest reasons programmers stop growing, is they don't get help.
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Why Tech Workers Resist Help and Stay Stuck in Their Careers
If you’re at a place in your career where there’s a lot of politics, people telling each other what they want to hear, and a lot of image management, it’s only natural that you might not feel comfortable talking to people. But if you can find a mentor, a coach, or a safe community and start to get off your chest how you really feel about your job, how your career decisions have really affected you, and where you’re stuck, you can unlock new opportunities in your career and get unstuck.
The Value of Being Honest and Vulnerable
When you can be honest and let somebody else in, they can offer you truth, options, and encouragement. You don’t have to hide and pretend you’ve got it all together. This openness is key to making significant progress in your career.
The State of the Industry and Common Struggles
Every week, before I prepare for one of these videos, I talk to my wife and think about how I can help people navigate the negativity, the layoffs, unethical bosses, difficult technical interviews, and the general state of the tech industry. I’ve noticed a common theme: there are many things people could be doing to improve their situations, but they don’t, often because change is hard.
I didn’t make a huge change in my career until seven years ago when I suffered from chronic burnout. I lost everything—my money, my health—and was forced to make big changes. If you’re unhappy with your career in tech, nothing will change until you either hit rock bottom or you smarten up and seek help before things get too bad.
Why Tech Workers Struggle to Get Help
When I transitioned from being a software consultant to a career coach, I thought I knew everything about the industry and the challenges programmers face. But I learned there are unique aspects of tech jobs that make it hard for people to seek help. Here are six reasons why tech workers tend to stay stuck and resist getting help.
1. Skepticism of Marketing and Sales
Programmers and tech workers are often highly skeptical of marketing and sales, and for good reason. We’re constantly targeted with exaggerated claims about products and services. Over time, this can create a reflexive distrust of anyone offering help, even when it’s genuine. If you’re stuck in your career, this skepticism might be holding you back from seeking the help you need.
2. A False Sense of Uniqueness
Many tech workers believe their situation is too unique for general advice or help. This belief can be reinforced by job descriptions that demand highly specific skills. As a result, you might think no one can help you unless they’ve had your exact experiences. This mindset can prevent you from getting valuable assistance that doesn’t require an exact match in technical experience but rather a good relationship and trust.
3. Overinflated Sense of Pride
As we accumulate knowledge and expertise in our tech careers, it’s easy to develop an overinflated sense of pride. We can mistake intelligence for wisdom, thinking we know more than we actually do. This pride can prevent us from seeking help, even when we’re struggling. Recognizing that it’s okay to seek another perspective is crucial for getting unstuck.
4. Fear of Relational Intimacy
In many workplaces, there’s a lack of genuine, open communication. We put on masks, hide our true feelings, and maintain surface-level relationships. This fear of intimacy can make it difficult to open up to others and seek help. However, finding a mentor, coach, or safe community where you can be honest can lead to significant breakthroughs in your career.
5. Internet Addiction and Distractions
The constant availability of distractions—whether it’s social media, video games, or endless news—can keep us from facing uncomfortable feelings and making necessary changes. If you find yourself escaping into distractions instead of dealing with your career challenges, it’s time to reevaluate your habits and take action.
6. Not Understanding the Opportunity Cost of Doing Nothing
One of the most significant reasons people stay stuck is they don’t realize the cost of inaction. When you fail to seek help or make changes, you miss out on potential opportunities. The longer you stay in a situation that isn’t working, the more opportunities you lose. Understanding the true cost of doing nothing can be a powerful motivator to seek help and make necessary changes.
Conclusion
If you’re stuck in your career, it’s important to recognize what’s holding you back and take steps to address it. Whether it’s skepticism, pride, fear, distractions, or simply not understanding the cost of inaction, these barriers can be overcome. Seek help, whether it’s from a coach, mentor, or community, and start making progress toward a better career. What’s holding you back from getting the help you need? What steps can you take this week to move forward?
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.