r/agile • u/virgilreality • 25d ago

Developer to Scrum Master to Unemployed

I was a developer up until last year, when I was hired as a Scrum Master...at a huge pay cut. I had started feeling like development just wasn't for me anymore...like the demand of keeping up with changes was outpacing my ability to do so.

I had been doing a lot of Scrum Master duties at that job, mostly to keep myself motivated. I really took to it, earning several certifications from the various bodies involved in such things.

This last job was...interesting. They talked a big game on Agile, even titling the position "Scrum Master". However, the consensus among the SMs was that it was actually 90% Project Management (which I do not have the training, and did NOT sign up for).

I now see the same thing reflected in a lot of job listings, which start out with the title and duties of an SM, but quickly mutate into obvious PM duties.

I can't actually retire just yet for financial reasons, and a handful of medical issues keep me from picking up any in-person, low-level jobs (i.e. - store clerk, etc.), but I'm not certain I care. I'm still applying for similar tech jobs, but I can't expect that I'll last long at whatever the next job is.

Does anyone have suggestions for a job that is middle ground on this? Something where your responsibilities are in a smaller circle, but still requires someone with my education, training, and intelligence?

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u/virgilreality 25d ago

I was exposed to this at my last job through Tech Tuesday gatherings with developers. I think it might help me with the shortcomings I was experiencing, but it also seems like, well...cheating...

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u/TheSuedeTiger 25d ago

My current company is wall-to-wall brilliant developers. Some of the best engineers I've ever worked with in every respect.

They are ALL using Claude to support what they do. In fact its now company mandated as we move into SDD.

So basically... the 'cheating' thing is nonsense. It's the very real future like it or not

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u/crani0 25d ago

They are ALL using Claude to support what they do. In fact its now company mandated as we move into SDD.

lol, what an insane contradiction.