Curious about a career move? The hosts discuss the challenges of transitioning to a full-stack role and tackling front-end fears. They highlight the importance of skill confidence, even without a CS degree. A listener's dilemma about joining a friend's startup sparks a lively chat about the intricacies of working in startups and the fine balance between ambition and product quality. Expect hilarious anecdotes and insights on navigating the Node.js community and startup dynamics for aspiring developers!
The hosts argue that while story points are commonly used for team evaluation, they often lead to confusion and should be re-evaluated in favor of meaningful metrics.
They emphasize that when considering a friend's startup opportunity, one should assess financial readiness and ensure alignment on roles and expectations to avoid conflicts.
Deep dives
The Role and Impact of Story Points
Using story points to evaluate team performance and productivity is discussed critically. The hosts reflect on the common practice of assigning story points and the misconceptions surrounding their use, particularly in comparing performance across different teams. They highlight that while story points can seem useful, they often create more confusion than clarity, leading to a culture of measurement that may not truly reflect the team's output. Overall, their takeaway suggests that reliance on story points should be reconsidered in favor of more meaningful metrics.
Navigating Career Transitions in Tech
A listener's dilemma about switching to a full-stack role that primarily uses Node.js and TypeScript prompts a discussion on career growth. The hosts emphasize the importance of considering the overall learning opportunities and product interest rather than just the tech stack when contemplating such moves. They argue that knowing modern technologies allows for personal growth and skill development, regardless of initial discomfort with a specific tech. The conversation ultimately encourages embracing new challenges as they lead to broader engineering capabilities.
The Complexity of Startup Aspirations
The question of whether to join a friend's startup leads to a discussion of the inherent risks involved. The hosts point out the potential pitfalls of working with someone who has questionable product vision but strong fundraising abilities. They caution against simply assuming success based on charisma and emphasize the need for clarity in equity, salary, and expected roles. A thorough evaluation of personal alignment and readiness to handle the challenges of startup life is urged to avoid future conflicts.
Financial Considerations for Startup Ventures
When contemplating joining a startup, the hosts elaborate on the importance of financial preparedness and risk assessment. They suggest a three to six months savings buffer, particularly for younger developers with fewer responsibilities. This financial cushion not only provides security during uncertain times but also positions one to take calculated risks in their career. The conversation underscores the idea that youth is often the best time to take risks before accumulating significant commitments.
In this episode, Dave and Jamison answer these questions:
Hey! Love your podcast! I’ve been poached by a startup which sounds really exciting but I’m worried whether it is a good career move for me. I am currently working with backend, however this company would have more of a full stack role and it would be lots of nodeJS and Typescript 🤢 anything javascript related screams frontend to me and it is not something I want to be good at. However, besides this, the product sounds interesting and I would definitely have a lot to learn. I also have this inferior feeling that I’m lacking skills because I didn’t study CS. Will I still be able to become a good engineer even if that’s in NodeJS? 😁
Listener Ben asks,
Hiya! I’m a young developer with a broad range of experience (everything from hardware to full-stack web and mobile), and I’ve found myself quite useful at many startups. I just started a new position at a nice startup in my area, but I’m being recruited by one of my close friends from college. He’s the power-hungry type, currently working at a mega-tech corp but wants to make a startup and get rich. He’s very smart and charming, and while I am skeptical of his ability to make a great product I think he can certainly raise a bunch of investment capital without too much worry.
My question is: would you ever consider joining a close friend’s startup, and if so what would you need (in terms of contract/equity/salary, runway, savings) to be confident about making that commitment? Thanks!
Get the Snipd podcast app
Unlock the knowledge in podcasts with the podcast player of the future.
AI-powered podcast player
Listen to all your favourite podcasts with AI-powered features
Discover highlights
Listen to the best highlights from the podcasts you love and dive into the full episode
Save any moment
Hear something you like? Tap your headphones to save it with AI-generated key takeaways
Share & Export
Send highlights to Twitter, WhatsApp or export them to Notion, Readwise & more
AI-powered podcast player
Listen to all your favourite podcasts with AI-powered features
Discover highlights
Listen to the best highlights from the podcasts you love and dive into the full episode