👾 2 new reports on shadow lives of developers
Burn out and career change, both top of mind for devs
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Curious about the current trends shaping the careers of developers at the forefront of technological innovation? Did you know that a significant proportion of developers are contemplating a shift in their career paths?
A survey by Stack Overflow spanning 107 countries and featuring insights from over 1,000 tech professionals, unveils that 79% of developers, both fresh tech talent and seasoned developers, are actively seeking new opportunities or considering a change.Â
The survey offers a number of compelling revelations on career and industry hopping, demands for flexibility, and more, setting the stage for a paradigm shift in the tech employment landscape.
Let's explore some of the reasons that steer software developers toward new career paths!
Yearning for Change
There has been a noticeable rise in job transitions for emerging developers compared to their more seasoned counterparts.
This change is attributed, at least in part, to the decreasing opportunities for entry-level professionals and the inherent volatility in the tech sector.Â
The once robust tech industry has faced a significant downturn, with over 400,000 job cuts globally in 2022 and 2023. It has yet to show signs of a recovery, with new developers leaving the tech industry and even experienced professionals considering career shifts due to the prevailing uncertainties.
Job & Industry Hopping
There appears to be a trend of developer migration out of the tech industry. Currently, 46% of developers are employed in the technology sector, 14% in manufacturing/supply chain, and 13% in financial services. From May of 2023 to October, 8% of developers exited the tech industry and took up roles in manufacturing and supply chain companies: 11% vs. 7%. Germany and the US have the highest concentration of manufacturing/supply chain developers.
Developers are actively exploring different positions within their industries as well. Young professionals, as you might have guessed, are very open to job hopping (86%). In fact, employers might be surprised by the youngsters’ job hopping habits: By the age of 24, new tech talent has changed as many jobs as professionals up to 10 years older!Â
New to mid-career (44 and younger) respondents are somewhat less interested in searching for a new job (74%). But interest reemerges in the 55 to 64 bracket (88%), with curiosity as the main motivation.Â
Curiosity about other companies is the second most influential factor motivating job search this year, just behind the pursuit of a "better salary."
How do developers find new jobs? Job boards (53%) and networks (39%) top the list. 61% of potential employees look for information on company jobs pages, while 52% prefer third-party review sites.
Salary, Flexibility & Learning Limbo
Salary and flexibility continue to dominate as the top factors influencing career moves. Learning opportunities take a backseat in 2023, while flexibility, vital across age groups, emerges as the MVP (Most Valuable Player), surpassing all other factors. And any workplace lacking this vital element risks losing its top talent.
As AI integrates into most developers’ toolkits, sentiments toward learning opportunities shift. Once enthusiastic about acquiring new skills, developers are now less enchanted, possibly due to AI's rapid evolution that has made both their work and learning process more efficient.Â
Battling Burnout
Ever wondered about battles against burnout, calculated learning adventures, or the weekend coding that happens behind the screens? JetBrains' State of Developer Ecosystem 2023 report unveils the hidden lives of developers worldwide.Â
It reveals that a staggering 73% of developers have battled burnout at some point in their careers. And those who've faced burnout find solace in self-monitoring apps (51%), mental health, self-organization, and time management techniques.
Learning Hurdles
In a surprising twist, 75% of developers admitted to quitting learning programs or courses. Instead of traditional courses, they go for documentation and APIs (67%) or engage in lively discussions of blogs and forums (53%). The preferred medium? Written content (53%) reigns supreme, while video content is preferred by 45%, the younger generation (19-21).Â
Software Desires
What attracts developers? Good hours, good pay, and the sweet taste of achievement top the list of job satisfaction factors for a whopping 70%.Â
Pay raises, peer appreciation, meaningful work, and personal enjoyment are the main ways to keep them productive. Surprisingly, the keys to their satisfaction lie more in the people and organizations than the tools and approaches.
Daily Rituals & Weekend CodeÂ
68% of developers kickstart their workday with work-related chats. But here's the real revelation – 70% of developers said they code for fun on weekends! Guess long hours at work haven’t made them lose the thrill of creating something meaningful in the digital reality.
There you go! This was your window into the lives of developers, revealing quite a few challenges ahead. Once an exclusive club, the tech industry is witnessing a migration, and developers demand higher pay and more flexibility. And employers must rise to the occasion if they want to retain their top talent.Â
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