Journey from developer to program manager to…

This site is where I share my thoughts on technology, software development and project/program management. I am Jim McMullen, and I have been working in technology for more than 30 years. I have messed up plenty of times over those years, and I have learned a few things along the way.

I have two degrees, but neither is in programming, computer science, information technology, or even business. I became a programmer by accident — I worked for a small company and when my boss needed someone to create a database, I was the only one there with any computer experience at all. My boss bought some desktop database software. I bought a couple of textbooks. And away I went onto a path that would move me into a development career.

You might say I embraced my inner geek — it had been trying to get out for years, but I had been beating it back in favor of more “cool” career choices. What a waste of time. I should have listened up front and gotten my CS degree. But since I didn’t, I learned a good bit of what I know through sometimes-painful experience and helpful advice from books, web sites like Stack Overflow, and training classes.

I spent the first 15 years as a full-stack web and database developer. I gradually moved into leading teams of onshore and offshore developers/QA analysts, network engineers, and others.

In 2021, I took my technology and leadership background and applied it to project management. I don’t code much these days, but I do a lot of managing and team building. I got my PMP certification, which I combine with real-world experience to much larger projects, currently in the InsureTech/FinTech spaces.

Like most of you, I struggle every day to solve problems and move my projects forward. I like to think I’ve learned a few things over the years, and this is where I share some of what I have learned with others who may be taking this journey, too.