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I spent 7 years in product before making the transition to being a developer 2 years ago. I've successfully made the jump but definitely had hoped I'd be in a better position than I am now. Obviously this could be me, but I have been pretty surprised how companies/startups seems disinterested in my PM past. I think it certainly gave me a broad perspective on how to ship software customers love, and how successful teams work. It likely is still my inexperience but nonetheless no one seems to care about broad knowledge.


I don't think it's your inexperience. I have found most people don't care if you know something else well that's outside the remit of your current role. Some are actively threatened by it.

I also switched careers 10 years ago. I have found that having this broad experience has helped me to make better decisions, understand different points of view and to work with others better.

But I usually have no ability to directly apply the experience from my first career, and very few organisations would ever want or allow me to. It's a pleasure when I can, but it's rare.




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