I have heard a few people in the consulting business and in tech departments warn about programming yourself out of a job. I completely disagree with this mindset for multiple reasons.
- If I program enough automation into processes where the business thinks they don’t need me anymore, then that is a business that is setting itself up for failure, and it’s not one I want to be part of.
- No matter what the automation process is, there is always a chance for error where the programmer will be need to fix it.
- Business processes change because of regulations, product lines, improvement of technology, and the whims of the executives. The programmer will need to manage the tools.
- The business that lets a programmer go for ‘programming their way out of a job’, is an ideal prospect to consult to at a higher rate of pay for less work.
- Programming yourself out of a job looks great on a resume. Quality companies will know that you are worth top dollar and will want to keep you, or at least contract with you for consulting work because you will grow the bottom line.
- We have an obligation to do the job right. This includes reducing their costs, being open, and being honest with those that employ our services.
- Consultants and information workers that milk projects make us all look bad, do IT right, or don’t do IT.
If a company lets you go for programming yourself out of a job, that means that you’ve done something that no one else in the company could do, can do, or is smart enough to do… which could make you the most valuable employee in the company. A company would be foolish to let you go. This would be the time to negotiate a raise, not worry about being terminated. If they do let you go with no chance of consulting work, then the perfect prospective new employer would be their competition, who should be eager to bring you on.
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