My Job Went to India (And All I Got Was This Lousy Book): 52 Ways to Save Your Job

by Chad Fowler

You've already lost your job . You may still be drawing a paycheck, but the job you were hired to do no longer exists. Your company has changed, the technology has changed, the economy has changed, and the ways you can add value have changed. Have you adapted to these changes? Or are you at risk? Architect your career Economic downturn. Job cuts. Outsourcing. The ever-changing tech landscape. The threats abound. Chad Fowler is here to offer 52 ways to keep your job, despite the vagaries of the market. Like it or not, the IT career landscape has changed. This handbook will teach you what you need to do to avoid being left behind. About the author Chad Fowler has been a software developer and manager for some of the world's largest corporations. He recently lived and worked in India, setting up and leading an offshore software development center for a large multinational company.

Genres: Nonfiction, Business, Software, Computer Science, Programming, Technology, Self Help

185 pages, Paperback

First published September 19, 2005

About the author

Chad Fowler has been a software developer and manager for some of the world's largest corporations. He recently lived and worked in India, setting up and leading an offshore software development center. He is co-founder of Ruby Central, Inc., a non-profit corporation responsible for the annual International Ruby Conference and The International Rails Conference, and is a leading contributor in the Ruby community.

Reviews

[Peter · Rating 5 out of 5]

In a nutshell, I think all software developers who aren't at the end of their careers should read this. It had an impact on my attitude towards professional development and I'd strongly recommend that others heed the advice in this book to ensure that they remain competitive, marketable, and engaged in their careers.

Note - the second edition of this book has been re-titled The Passionate Programmer Creating a Remarkable Career in Software Development.

[Steve · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is another one of those books I wish I'd read 25 years ago, when I was first getting into the programming business. This is an excellent guide to how to manage your career and stay relevant in the changing business IT environment. I'd highly recommend it to anyone in the field, or thinking of entering the field.

[Vinayak Hegde · Rating 4 out of 5]

When I first picked up this book, I thought I would be reading a time capsule as the author had written this after a stint of working in India more than a decade back. But much of the advice was till relevant and timeless. It contains great career advice for entry-level and mid-level software engineer.

The second edition of the book is retitled as "The Passionate Programmer" which is a much better and descriptive title for the content inside IMO. I wish so many of my friends who made the classic mistakes mentioned in their career would read this book. Also with Eastern Europe/SE Asia becoming a viable destination for outsourcing, Indian programmers will face the same dilemma of reskilling and improving their own skillset or perishing in fast globalization of the software world.

[Jay · Rating 5 out of 5]

The title makes it embarrassing to display this book openly on my bookshelf, or to admit that I have read this. (The book has since been renamed aptly to the Passionate Programmer, but I bought this one because I heard it was the same, and this edition is cheaper.) Wonderful insights and practical advice on staying marketable as a programmer.

[Jeff Keehr · Rating 3 out of 5]

I borrowed this from the Thomson library. It contains a lot of good advice. The biggest idea I got out of it was that it would do me a lot of good to learn more about open source. I will try.

[Konstantin · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is quite good, but some template motivational phrases irritated me

In this book I have found some tips about maintaining interest in work

[JD Morales · Rating 5 out of 5]

I bought this book back in 2011 via Amazon after hearing this from an RoR developer's webinar. This is probably the best self-help book I've ever read. It offers practical advice for professionals who want to stay competitive in the IT industry.

If you do not work in the IT industry as a developer, business analyst, or QA analyst, this book is NOT for you.

[Ivan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Incredible. I'd say it's highly philosophical career planning guide for IT folks:)

Author reflects on various aspects of his experiences - if you truly belong to the world of IT, you will not regret a moment spent reading. It already has a list of quite practical action items - you could skim through them to get the maximum value.

[Demian · Rating 5 out of 5]

I consider this on par with the Pragmatic Programmer book. It's more high-level. It's incredibly relevant full of great advice.

[Pascal Mestdach · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great carreer book for software developers. It's written by a guy who knows what he is talking about. He worked a year and a half in India, Hungary,... offshoring software development for his company.
Just coding isn't enough anymore, you know ;-)

[Junan · Rating 3 out of 5]

i like the front cover ... open your eyes about coding, be a generalist ;)

[Eduardo · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a good read for anyone starting in Information Technology. It contains topics like offshoring, choosing a good career, staying always at the leading edge.

[Christophe Addinquy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ma note de lecture complète en français ici

[Aaron Schaub · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good book to read when you get into a work rut and start feeling sorry for yourself. This is a good kick in the but with specific things you can do to quit moping and start kicking ass.

[masaki komagata · Rating 4 out of 5]

まさにサバイバルガイド。

[Chun Kit · Rating 4 out of 5]

Some useful advice.

[Sean Hussey · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is one of the 5 books that changed the direction and shape of my career.