My Career Path

Lately I've been thinking about how to progress in my career. And after much consideration I'm pretty set on becoming a product owner (PO) or product manager.

I have a growing desire to impact software development in a role where I can have a direct impact on the the type of work a scrum team actually works on. More specifically be in a role where I get to decide what goes into release and help to groom the backlog. Also I want to be in a position where I can duplicate myself and my strengths when it comes to communication. Which makes the PO role desirable for me.

Thinking about my career in this way is exciting because originally I didn't consider working more than 5 years in the industry.

Tbh I thought that I would be transitioning out of the field into the U.S. Navy as a chaplain, while my wife progresses in her career as an attorney. Things aren't working out that way which is ok because I know that God has formed it this way.

Becoming a dad recently and wanting to provide well for my growing family is a big contributor to rethinking my IT career. But honestly it was a YouTube video on Anthony O'Neal's (AO)channel that really got me encouraged.

AO interviewed a young black man who is new to the industry but doing very well financially. I recognized that I, having the degree and experience, was not maximizing what I have to offer.

I literally can be making more money, doing what I want, while maintaining the lifestyle I desire.

I just can't be complacent.

This is why I'm really considering becoming a PO. I'll get to use skills I want to build on and progress in my career to make the impact I want to have.

In addition to becoming a PO, I'd like to work on non-federal software development projects because I wonder what it's like out there and how they differ from the federal projects I've been working on the last 7 years. It's more of something I want to at least explore.

As for skills I want to develop, of course I want to gain the skills and education needed to excel as a product owner. So I will reach out to my supervisor to see if my company will pay for me to get the training for the Certified Scrum Product Owner covered. In addition to that I want to learn more about UI/UX which is honestly something I've been interested in since high school, though I didn't know the terms UI/UX.

So this is my focus now professionally. I want to progress in this way and I know being a black man in the field that there is a need for someone like me.

No longer am I settling. And neither should you.

Another goal I have is to make 50% more salary wise because I know I can and I know I'm worth it. Maybe not with my current company right away but I do want to make at least 20% more soon.

Let's make it happen.