Tech Lead Journal

#211 - Back to the Future: Lessons from My 42-Year Career in Tech - Paula Paul

80 snips
Mar 31, 2025
Paula Paul, a distinguished engineer and board member of the OpenJS Foundation, shares 42 years of tech wisdom. She discusses navigating massive shifts from mainframes to AI, emphasizing that embracing change is key to a fulfilling career. Paula reveals that technology is usually the easy part; managing change is where the challenge lies. She encourages a non-linear career path and reflects on open source issues like licensing and security. Her insights promote a healthier relationship with technology and highlight the importance of diversity in the industry.
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ANECDOTE

From Mainframes to Modern

  • Paula Paul began her career at IBM in the early 1980s, compiling code for mainframes in batch jobs.
  • This experience contrasts sharply with today's instant compilation, highlighting the rapid technological advancements in software development.
INSIGHT

Technology vs. Change

  • Technology is now readily available; change management is the true challenge.
  • People struggle more with adapting to change than with the technology itself.
INSIGHT

Demystifying AI

  • AI is less scary when focusing on its specific use cases, like note-taking.
  • We've always asked computers for outcomes; AI is just a new way of framing it.
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