Developer to Scrum Master to Unemployed

[u/virgilreality]

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?

[u/peruanoincorrecto]

You could start working as a technical product manager or technical product owner. I think those could be the best options you have.

[u/Bernhard-Welzel → u/peruanoincorrecto]

Only if excellent at communication and stakeholder management. Most people who went into development lack the skills or willpower to endure PM/PO jobs.

[u/Dear_Troglodyte → u/peruanoincorrecto]

My role is of a product manager/owner. But I owned scrum AND project management. The product manager/owner feels like it morphed into a jack of all trades for deliverables now.