It is a little sad, recently.
I suppose for many reasons.
Some companies have already moved on, and many teams are downsizing. Outsourced colleagues are the first to go. People are leaving, some lucky enough to transfer to other projects, even if far away; others now practicing LeetCode, memorizing problems, preparing for interviews they never expected to take.
It’s hard to stay light.
I’ve worked closely with many of them. As a new graduate, some guided me through those early days, how to be a programmer, how to grow, through all the conflicts and frustrations. I’ve noticed something: as a backend engineer, most were willing to help, to teach, to guide. In contrast, others—project managers, product managers, frontend developers, QA, often seemed less devoted. Especially the product managers.
Yet backends are generally diligent, hardworking. And yet, ironically, many of the outsourced backend and frontend developers are now leaving, while some of those product managers will stay.
As what they call “self-owned R&D,” I don’t feel better than them. I just happen to be a formal employee here. There’s no pride in that, only a quiet sadness.
They gave me a complete lesson in career, not just in code, but in what work really means.
I appreciate them.
But now there is much I must handle alone, and that is frightening. I hope I am ready. I am willing to step forward.
The economy is hard. Life is unkind. Downsizing is everywhere.
All I can keep is patience, and hope.
Good luck, everyone, in this drifting wind.