The Changelog: Software Development, Open Source Action absorbs anxiety (Friends)
21 snips
Aug 29, 2025 Arun Gupta, a free agent with extensive experience in developer outreach and open source, shares insights from his unexpected exit from Intel. He discusses embracing new opportunities and the anxiety of job hunting after decades. The conversation touches on the future of open source in an AI-driven world, agentic coding strategies, and the challenges of AI-assisted programming. Gupta emphasizes the importance of proactive actions and personal branding, turning anxiety into opportunity during career transitions. Expect engaging discussions on tech, community, and innovation!
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
Leading Large Developer Programs
- Arun describes running a 40+ person developer programs team at Intel covering events, DevRel, OSPO, and community work.
- He recounts leading contributions to major projects like Kubernetes, PyTorch, and OpenJDK while telling the Intel story.
Action Absorbs Anxiety
- When a layoff happens, move quickly from grief to acceptance and take immediate action to regain momentum.
- Arun's mantra: "Action absorbs anxiety" — pick easy wins first to build a productive flywheel.
Filter Opportunities With Three Criteria
- Clarify your next role by listing what excites you and what you do best; prioritize developer communities, open source, and AI.
- Use that three-point filter to evaluate opportunities instead of chasing titles.