On expertise and specialization

For nearly 15 years, I’ve called myself a web developer.

In those 15 years I’ve had job titles like Technical Architect, Project Manager, Lead Designer, and even Director of Technology. Underneath it all, though, I just built web sites. Ask me what I did and I’d tell you that I was a web developer.

Over a month ago, I took a new title: Product Manager.

I’m not coding anymore. And I’m feeling a little uneasy about it.

Why does this make me uneasy? Because I’ve always shared my experience as a web developer and I suddenly find myself wondering how long I can continue to do that.

Jonathan Snook