this post was submitted on 14 Jul 2024
399 points (98.5% liked)
196
16412 readers
1209 users here now
Be sure to follow the rule before you head out.
Rule: You must post before you leave.
founded 1 year ago
MODERATORS
you are viewing a single comment's thread
view the rest of the comments
view the rest of the comments
I was a technical writer for a few years and it was the most technically taxing position I had, I was specifically the lead for writing proposals in our business unit. It really tested the breadth and depth of my technical knowledge. It was also not a good fit for me because I don’t have the “worry about execution later” bone that so many seemed to have, I refused to bullshit on something I wasn’t confident could be delivered. I ended up getting out of that line of work and my quality of life has improved measurably.
I actually really love my job. Its super chill. My boss pokes his head in my office maybe once a day to say hi. Otherwise, I put my headphones on and listen to music all day. The developers I'm in charge of do their jobs well and quietly. On days I want to WFH, I just do it. They pay me quite well.
That’s very similar to the dynamic at my job now, just technical lead/advisor and writing organizational policy. I love my current job, maybe it was just a bad experience or fit where I was.
Work environment is key, I think. On the few days when things start getting a bit hectic, I'll tell my boss, and will deputise one of the other employees to me (just as he may deputise me to deliver goods if someone is sick or they need help). When I say "This task is taking a lot of my time, I think we should delegate it to someone else, he does it.
Sometimes, I stay late when I can and when I need to. In return, sometimes I leave early without telling or asking, my boss trusts me to make things 'square'.
Most places aren't like that. But when they are, things are so much more efficient.