Deferring a return to the software industry to take my project commercial [closed]

manpreet Best Answer 2 years ago

Good day, all!

At the dawn of this new year I left seminary studies to return to the world of software, where I had previously worked for over 8 years. But rather than returning directly and immediately to the 9-to-5 scene, I've been working diligently on a project of my own with very strong commercial prospects that I would like to pursue; during the fall semester I couldn't get the project off my mind, so I decided to go all-out with it. The project consists of a vast number of incremental solutions and improvements to a well-known technology that I aspire to build into a language unto itself. I like to say I am applying the healing touch of a thousand stitches. I find the overall project to be an engrossing exercise for the technical aspects as well as the commercial possibilities. For the time being, it's the best situation I can imagine being in.

But my sense of prudence leads me to the following question:

Let us suppose (against all odds!) that the project does not go as planned, for whatever reason, and I decide to return to the traditional software job market. Would there be any reason for concern about the path I am currently taking?

My own intuition is that I should be fine. Even though I'm doing something unconventional, It's a deep immersion in software problem-solving (among many other things). At the very least my project testifies to my expertise. (I am also working on a technical paper and a video demo that would help to clarify my achievements.) In a job-seeking scenario I believe the project would help stimulate fruitful conversations and provide a welcome alternative to the stereotypical software interview unpleasantness we all know too well.

Not that I anticipate any of this being necessary! My top priority for the time being is the project itself in its business and technical aspects. I'm just trying to be circumspect about the future.

So am I being realistic about this?