Learn in the Navy how to be a pirate.
After a dozen or so years in the tech industry, I’ve decided it’s time to take up the Jolly Roger.
The Navy
Don’t get me wrong, working for some of the large established companies was a great boon. Starting at Microsoft was a great way to jumpstart my career, giving me a big name on my resume and the experience to match.
Thinking back on what I learned, it almost seems like the dark ages of software when I started, but I learned most of the basics, things that aren’t taught in college, and even some of my other internships.
Things like:
- General processes and standard procedures, such as testing, automation, source control, and bug triage
- Experiencing the product lifecycle
- Having time to meet interesting coworkers, and build my network
The best part is, like the Navy, you get an education for free. Microsoft was happy to pay very well to teach me all of these things. Probably the most important part, as cliche as it is, is the network. Making friends with people on my team, and other teams really helped open doors.
At a very large company, transfers are common to keep people learning and happy. Staying in touch with past coworkers is key, and as both of you move to different employers or teams, you have an instant in at the company they are (if you are worth your salt, at least).
But not is all happy in the Navy. Like the Navy, they take you in as a raw recruit, a mind they can train and shape to do whatever they need. Individuality is almost against the point, despite what your diversity representative will say. You will do as others will do, always. If you have a good idea, you have to run it up to your CO. If they don’t like it, or are too worried about their own neck, then that’s about where it will stop.
While the pay and life are solid, you are generally limited by the speed of promotions and how well you can network your way up the ladder. Even when you do well, you will be limited and told stories about “other people before you in line for promotion” and “perform the level you want for a year, then we’ll talk.” There’s a lot of nonsense along the way that has absolutely nothing to do with much of anything, not the least of which are most scrum meetings and daily standups.
If you’re just coming out of college, I’d highly suggest working for a large corporation for a few years. Probably in the 2–3 range. You want to be able to see a product launch and see it in the wild. You want to gain practical experience, not only about the business of coding, but also knowing your own strengths and weaknesses as well.
Privateering
Don’t bother asking for permission, you’re only setting yourself up to get told no.
Once you’ve gotten your footing and know what you’re doing in terms of coding and building a product, if you think you’re a pirate, I suggest you build a product at home. I’ll call this part-time pirating, or privateering.
As long as your product doesn’t compete or interfere with your day job, your employer will be fine with it. Don’t bother asking for permission, you’re only setting yourself up to get told no. Pirates don’t ask for permission, they take reasonable risks. They know which rules can be broken when, and for what reason.
I’d go as far to suggest even taking up side projects of your own, rather than putting in huge overtime for promotions at your day job, because you own 100% of your own success on your product, but your performance sadly is only one small factor of your Navy career.
Practice things like building a product, pitching, marketing, and other skills that you will need to run a business. This will round out your skills and allow you to not only be a small part of a product team, but give you the experience to build a product yourself. You don’t need to make money or even be successful. But trying and learning here is key.
If you have trouble with motivation, or you just know you’re having trouble, give yourself a break. Maybe you’re not cut out for the high seas, at least not yet. Keep gaining experience, if the industry doesn’t make you crazy, you might even be happy!
Blue sea piracy
If you enjoy building your own product, and reaping value from what you own, you’re probably a pirate. Pirates are self driven, wanting to build their own empire. Pirates are always on the look out for their bottom line, and targets of opportunity.
Once you realize that you don’t need a marketing department, or a large HR department, or 6 levels of management to succeed, you have arrived. By cutting out that fat you can not only move faster, but unimpeded. If you have a revolutionary idea, you can build it without permission, and reap all the benefits.
You are also working without a safety net. You are only as good as your successes, and no one will tell you to work harder or soften the blow. The risks are big, but the rewards are bigger. If you can truly deliver without the overhead of a big corporation, the world is your oyster.
Pirates aren’t risk takers by nature — they look for low risk opportunities for high reward! Use your network and track record for success in large companies to build a customer base for a great product or idea.
Every day I think the sea turns more in favor of piracy. Big companies have so many ideas and people that they rarely make any progress, or if they do, it is so multi-faceted and managed that it rarely resembles what it should be. As time goes on, the technology to allow companies of all kinds to be spun up faster and with fewer resources marches on. 3D printing, cloud computing, and production outsourcing means that it takes fewer resources than ever to start your own company and see your idea to fruition.
After all, if you fail, and know what you’re doing, the Navy is always looking for officers. If you don’t know what you’re doing, sadly the Navy is still the place for you, but you will help the pirates realize the truth and there are plenty of riches to be plundered out there in the sea of tech.
—
With a yo-ho-ho, click that follow button and the heart for a bottle of rum. Tell me about your journey on the high seas by leaving a message.
Follow me on twitter Christine Banek
Check out my new company: http://www.timeslicelabs.com
