HACKER Q&A
📣 anomPM

Switching from project manager to solution architect/developer. How?


I've been working as a project manager in the IT field in Europe in the last several years also leading development project as PM. While it was/is interesting, I've always wanted to be closer to the "real" work of planning & implementing the IT solutions, like in the role of a solution architect/developer.

I'm quite able to handle a lot of technical aspects (spinning up, configuring and provisioning server, installing and deploying server application like apache/postfix). I've been for example running my own Jira servers on a own virtualized environment for several years now.

I also enjoy programming and have written some tools for own usage in Node.js/Python. Nothing spectacular only some rudimentary web apps with simple Rest-APIs. There for example I've also written custom scripts for data migration from MongoDB to Azure Storage Tables.

Now I would like to make the switch in a more hands-on position but don't see how. I've tried to apply for some technical positions (technical PM) but wasn't able to break through. To be honest after some of these rejection I've not been brave enough to apply for a (junior) development position directly because I don't think I would stand a chance.

One reason for this is that I haven't any formal technical education (Science Master) and also I'm approaching my 40s. On the other hand I see all these retraining activities driven by big companies (even by Google an Microsoft, at least publicly) and all the whining about missing technical knowledge worker (at least here in Europe).

Any suggestion if & how someone with my profile could make a switch form PM to SA/Dev? Have you done something similar? Is this switch even realistic, considering that most developer are moving into opposite direction (more management positions) during their career and that ageism is a thing?

  👤 readonthegoapp Accepted Answer ✓
i'd guess you just need to pick an actual job title, then find a job (with that job title) that you want (that lists a bunch of the tech you're familiar with), then apply.

that's it.

go get an aws architecture cert while you're at it. i'd start with the easiest/entry-level cert, not even the architect cert, which is difficult, imo.

i like to cite how in my just-passed job search i was offered a senior tech prod owner role (/architect/etc. -- helping to guide/run an internal architecture team), and turned down for an almost-entry level tech support job -- so don't expect interviews/hiring to make sense.

the phrase "missing technical knowledge workers" could more accurately be restated as "missing technical knowledge workers who will work for free" -- strategies to depress worker wages will never stop.

age-ism is very real but should work in your favor, since nobody wants to hire a 25 yo architect - at least not any big company - b/c all your peers would be 50.

👤 aaronrobinson
Is there no opportunity where you are to become hands on? It would be a huge jump to go from project manager with some self taught tech to a solutions architect - these guys in my eyes have many years of full on hands on experience - it’s what makes them able to propose solutions. There are plenty of people that use bootcamps to make transitions from non SWE to SWE and they come from backgrounds outside of tech so in this respect I think you’d have an advantage. The other route I see is taking on a support team lead - there would be less creative development to start but you’d still have to get your hands dirty and an advantage you’d have is being a mature product head. You would have SWE reporting into you and you learn as you, contributing more as you can. Going in as a ‘junior’ SWE at 40 may be a harder route. I’d offer to speak direct but I can’t see a way of DMing on here