Over the past few weeks, listening to Taylor Swift's new release "The Life of a Showgirl" got me reflecting on my nearly five-year journey in the tech world. The album’s concept explores the unfold dilemmas behind the curtains of the main stage — which, in my case, are the challenges faced in software development.
In the album, Taylor destroys the idea of a purely glamorous world, as we often imagine the artistic industry to be. In tech, something similar happens: outsiders — or those just starting out — often believe this universe is all about typing on colorful mechanical keyboards, working in disruptive environments, and chasing billion-dollar ideas. But the truth is, like in any field, most of the time it isn’t that fun. Sorry.
So here I share how the album made me reflect on the backstage of my own career:
The Fate of Ophelia — a track about being rescued by a new perspective.
“For a long time, I felt like Ophelia: letting myself sink into my own illusory expectations, believing that being technically skilled was enough for my career to take off".
People aren’t just interested in competence — they also value the ability to tell a compelling story. It doesn’t matter how well you execute a task if you can’t perform and communicate it effectively. And yes, over the years, you begin to realize just how much that matters — in daily work, in feedback, and in the job market.
Father Figure — leadership and career positioning
Taylor revisits the issue of owning her work while facing the realities of the industry she operates in. In this track, which centers on leadership and mentorship, it becomes clear how crucial good mentorship is for early-career professionals. Having someone to guide you, help turn ideas into projects, and answer questions can be a game-changer — especially when entering the tech industry.
Moreover, effective and honest leadership is essential in software development — and over time, this becomes even more relevant. It’s important to know what’s expected of you as a professional: to understand your scope of work, recognize your limits, and assess whether your strengths are being valued. It’s also fundamental to recognize whether you’re being respected as part of the team.
“Even more important is knowing what you should expect — and demand — from your leadership.”
Good leaders should coordinate the team toward a common goal, but their role goes far beyond that. A strong leader must communicate clearly, keep the team informed about task progress, clients, and deadlines, and create an environment that supports individual growth while recognizing each member’s importance to the project.
These themes made me realize the danger of outsourcing my own professional positioning and value. So: know your limits, your strengths, and your areas for improvement. Set goals and track your own progress. Don’t hand over the responsibility of being recognized solely to someone else or to an organization. It’s YOUR career.
Breaking Beliefs in Opalite: Reflecting and Allowing Yourself to Grow
Taylor narrates the process of questioning her old beliefs and bad habits — which allowed her to find hope where there once seemed to be only darkness. Circumstances that feel like an onyx sky can become opal, depending on your perspective.
Through self-reflection and self-questioning, we can navigate difficult moments in our careers — like feeling stuck or left behind — and turn them into momentum. Sometimes, that’s the missing step we need to open ourselves up to new opportunities for professional growth, to challenge ourselves, explore a new area of development, or finally bring that personal project idea to life.
These were some of my reflections that I felt were worth sharing. I hope they resonate with someone out there. Thank you to everyone who took the time to read.
Top comments (0)