Navigating a Career Without Programming in Tech: Mapper or Not?

You may find yourself in a unique situation where you neither love nor hate programming. This can create a dilemma, particularly when you're deep into a software engineering degree. What should you do? Let's explore some paths you can consider.

Switching Majors or Industries

One approach could be to reconsider your major. Switching to a different, related field might be worth exploring. For example, cybersecurity is a popular option. My son made the switch to cybersecurity and, while he doesn't seem to enjoy it, it was a meaningful attempt.

Alternatively, you could look into fields beyond tech. Opening up a gluten-free bakery or venture into another entrepreneurial path might serve as a deterrent from programming while still leveraging your skills in a different capacity.

Making Money or Creating Things

If earning money is your primary goal, consider sales, a lateral move into technology. Alternatively, if you're creative, product management could be a fit. Need to connect more directly with people? User experience design might be more your speed. If writing is your forte, technical documentation could be a worthwhile path. Seeking to solve complex problems? Compliance management might align well with your analytical skills.

Or, if the legal aspect of technology fascinates you, explore data governance. Additionally, if large, complex systems are your forte, cloud operations might be a great fit.

Education Sector

For those who want to stay in a tech-related field but prefer not to code, consider a career in academia. Teaching coding, software testing, quality assurance, data analysis, or database administration are all viable options. You could also delve into software implementation, technical business analysis, or become a scrum master or agile coach. These roles are closely tied to software development without requiring you to be a programmer.

Do Nothing? Or Something You Enjoy

This advice might seem counterintuitive, but sometimes, simply doing nothing until you find what you're passionate about is the best move. Many programmers, including my friend, started with very basic code and ended up in senior engineering management roles. This just goes to show that the journey is just as important as the end goal.

What is the lesson to be learned from this

Sit tight and do nothing. Soon, you may find yourself in the role you're meant for. Consider what drives you. If you're disinterested in programming, consider if there are areas within tech that align with your strengths and interests.

Final Thoughts

Ultimately, the most important step is to find something you enjoy. While it might be challenging to escape programming in software engineering positions initially, especially at the beginning of your career, the key is to find a job that aligns with your passions. You have a science degree, which means you have numerous options. Don't force yourself into a role that isn't fulfilling. Choose a path that brings you joy, and the rest will follow.