What’s my future look like after holding a CTO position? /u/kcits26 CSCQ protests reddit

I (M27) was hired as a CTO back in July for a small (25-50 employees) local logistics company. I have an associates degree in business and I was a low-level software engineer at a small tech firm prior to being hired. I was able to land my current job through connections and not so much experience (experienced in tech and delivering solutions).

My current day-to-day operations mainly look like tech support, but I do oversee and direct projects for custom tech implementations into our online business suite via freelancers on upwork. I do minimal coding, but I do a lot of work in terms of being a system admin.

When I first started, I had major imposter syndrome (I think for good reason), but I didn’t feel like anything was out of reach. The tech needs of the company when coming on we’re basic and fundamental, and now I am working on more advanced projects (in coordination with contracted workers).

While I do like my job, and feel that a lot of anxiety I had when I first started has now eased, I can’t but help to think what my future looks like. I make a livable salary, but not anywhere close to what my other dev friends are making.

My concern is what does my future look like if I were to leave this job in say 2 years. I don’t know if I would have enough time/ experience from my current job to land another CTO position at another company. I also feel out of the loop with my programming, since I’m not really coding anymore during or after work. I don’t know if I want to stick with my current job for longer than 2 years unless they were paying me a well paid salary, but saying that makes me feel greedy and ungrateful for the opportunity I have (I am beyond grateful for my current job as it has changed my life and career in a positive way)

Some questions I have: 1. Is it best to stay with my current company as long as I can since I already have a high ranking position?

1. What sort of jobs would I want to look for if I did leave in 2 years, assuming I lose all my programming skills in that time frame.

2. What would future employers think if they see on my resume I went from junior software engineer immediately to CTO? Would my experience be discredited?

While I love working in tech and enjoyed programming, I don’t see myself going back to programming. I feel like I would be going backwards in my career if I went back to just a normal dev job.

Anyone with a similar experience? Any advice on what I should be doing now with my current job (obtaining certs, etc.)?

I (M27) was hired as a CTO back in July for a small (25-50 employees) local logistics company. I have an associates degree in business and I was a low-level software engineer at a small tech firm prior to being hired. I was able to land my current job through connections and not so much experience (experienced in tech and delivering solutions).

My current day-to-day operations mainly look like tech support, but I do oversee and direct projects for custom tech implementations into our online business suite via freelancers on upwork. I do minimal coding, but I do a lot of work in terms of being a system admin.

When I first started, I had major imposter syndrome (I think for good reason), but I didn’t feel like anything was out of reach. The tech needs of the company when coming on we’re basic and fundamental, and now I am working on more advanced projects (in coordination with contracted workers).

While I do like my job, and feel that a lot of anxiety I had when I first started has now eased, I can’t but help to think what my future looks like. I make a livable salary, but not anywhere close to what my other dev friends are making.

My concern is what does my future look like if I were to leave this job in say 2 years. I don’t know if I would have enough time/ experience from my current job to land another CTO position at another company. I also feel out of the loop with my programming, since I’m not really coding anymore during or after work. I don’t know if I want to stick with my current job for longer than 2 years unless they were paying me a well paid salary, but saying that makes me feel greedy and ungrateful for the opportunity I have (I am beyond grateful for my current job as it has changed my life and career in a positive way)

Some questions I have: 1. Is it best to stay with my current company as long as I can since I already have a high ranking position?

1. What sort of jobs would I want to look for if I did leave in 2 years, assuming I lose all my programming skills in that time frame.

2. What would future employers think if they see on my resume I went from junior software engineer immediately to CTO? Would my experience be discredited?

While I love working in tech and enjoyed programming, I don’t see myself going back to programming. I feel like I would be going backwards in my career if I went back to just a normal dev job.

Anyone with a similar experience? Any advice on what I should be doing now with my current job (obtaining certs, etc.)?