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> I resonate with this a lot.

Agreed.

In my 20 years as a dev.. I am sure my fingerprints (code I wrote) still exist in past jobs... the past companies I have worked for.

Sadly, going back to my first job, I know the project I wrote came to an abrupt end a few years after I left. I am sure that codebase has long since disappeared... though I might still find some code in USB sticks, somewhere.

Even my previous job, some front end gui projects are likely terminated due to structural changes in the company. Going all-cloud with a product which would have changed bespoke applications.

All comes down to experience. If I could go back in time to my first job, I could "hack" out that code in days.. rather than months, but I am diverting the topic a little. lol.

> These days, I take the most pleasure out of building careers and mentoring younger engineers

Again -- agreed!

Doing my bit to help find their feet is very rewarding. Being in my 40s and seeing "kids" that are 10, 15, or near 20 years younger than me is a reality-check for me! It comes a point when my humour in the room no longer lands... because they have no idea what I refer to. I nearly get a heart attack when I hear someone say "I have not seen Robocop"

The other reality-check, and a more serious one, is that I am at an age of guidance... for them. I remember being their age, with little help or guide from the older, senior devs in the room. I swore I would never be like this. Well, I am now at that age they once were.

I know at least a couple of guys I have worked with, for different reasons, have moved on and are successful. If I can claim atleast 2% of their good decisions.. I will take it. Very happy for them!

Getting good pay is one thing. Mentoring new careers is heart warming.




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