After 15 years, I am leaving tech

A few months ago I was made redundant from my role as a Senior Front-End Engineer at a company I worked at for almost 11 years. The redundancy was a result of my role being terminated, and I know had nothing to do with my contributions or value. However, navigating change is still tough, and this has really given me the opportunity to reflect on what I want to do next, not just professionally, but in my life in general. I have come to the decision that I will not be returning to a similar role in the same industry for the foreseeable future.

(That’s the less dramatic version; obviously the more dramatic version sounds like, “I don’t want to go back!”.)

Two people in front of a whiteboard with some diagrams and post-it notes. Both are facing the whiteboard. — Beginning of an era: Appearing in some promo photos at my workplace, 2015

I have worked in this career for 15 years, and have put in so much time and energy to build it. I got into tech because, as a kid, I was curious about how the internet worked and how to build websites. This is what got me into working as a software developer. I am really grateful for the opportunities that working in tech has given me. I was welcomed into the community where I improved my public speaking and presentation skills, presenting at various meetups and conferences both locally and internationally. I ran a meetup called codebar (as part of a global initiative) for a significant amount of time, teaching people how to code. I had supportive managers for a significant amount of time in my career, and they helped me grow and improve my skills as well as providing encouragement and helping me recognise my achievements—something I had long struggled with. I have become a better communicator, collaborating with people cross-discipline, and mentored people around the world. I am so grateful for the people I have had the opportunity to work with, many of whom are now my closest friends.

A person in a grey top and bright orange skirt and animal print boots, standing on a stage in front of a projector and next to a podium with a laptop. The screenshot on the projector has the title “Women don’t think they’re better than anyone. They just want to be respected” — Invited to speak at DevFest about my passion for writing. I was first speaker of the day. 2018

I have grown so much as a person during my career. Studying at university, moving out of my parents’ place, moving house four times, getting married and divorced, travelling solo multple times, a lot of mental health struggles and burnout along the way, but a lot of revelations, too. I have spent the past couple of years building up my life and identity outside of work, engaging in my hobbies, and doing things I truly love. The industry has changed a lot since I started working in it, and has come with a lot of challenges, including the perception and expectations of someone with the specialised skills I have. I really enjoyed the work I did, and again am so grateful that something that started as a hobby drew me to be able to find a job and find stable income, for such a damn long time.

A group of people around a round table with a tablecloth, in a food court with a patterned tiled wall. There are lots of bowls and plates half-filled with food, and some fresh young coconut cut open with straws sitcking out of them — Hong Kong Code Conf speaker dinner, 2018. R.I.P. Matthew Rudy Jacobs 🕊️

A person with long dark hair and a patterned sleeveless top, standing at a podium, with a headset microphone and holding a remote control. There is a projector in the background — Speaking at Laracon on website accessibility, 2019

To close out this chapter, this is a list of my favourite posts about my career that I have written. I cannot guarantee that they will be incredibly relevant, but for the most part, they will be not only a snapshot into my career, but into the tech industry at a specific point in time.

Names are complex: Displaying initials for an avatar component in a design system. My specialty skills and desire for inclusivity sent me down a rabbit hole of an investigation, and this work feels like my magnum opus when it comes to writing in tech. 🍒 It was also published in a handful of newsletters.
How to make presentations & talks more accessible and inclusive. I have shared this around a lot and is still relevant for any public speaking work. There are many things we might forget about
DDD Sydney: The importance of community, why junior developers matter, and being unapologetically you. Believe in the people of the future, always.
What I’ve learned about web communities from public speaking. I learned that there is no such thing as “get off my turf”. Communities are for sharing.
“Why are they all white men?” An International Women’s Day classic. I’ve written a few IWD posts over the years, but this one is my favourite. If you still work in the industry, you can tell me the honest truth about whether there’s still an abundance of white men.
🏕️ Organising Devcamp 2020 – just prior to a global pandemic. Although I organised this event for my previous company every year from 2019, 2020, 2024, 2025, and 2026 (other years were excluded due to COVID), I didn’t always write about it, but this one is a good snapshot of the event.
Came for the banter, stayed for the wisdom: Lessons from 10 years at the same company. A written version of the very last presentation I did with my coworker & previous manager Chris. To be leaving tech and this happening to be my last talk, well—it feels apt.

I have passions that lie elsewhere. I have so many creative things I like doing and areas that I am passionate about. Fitness, poetry, painting, writing, fashion and style, organising events and creating welcoming spaces, supporting and promoting small businesses, and advocating for awareness around mental health. When I think about it, are we really made to be tied down to do the same thing decades on end? Is that what brings us joy? I have a choice on what to do next. What choices will I make? What things will I choose, and what will I decide to pass on? What opportunities will I look for, and which ones will I reach for and grab? While I don’t know exactly what I will be doing, I am moving towards something with my local community, helping people, and using my creativity for good.

A group of people on a boardwalk with some small boats in the background. Many of the people are wearing the same t-shirt with a sun graphic in white and purple. The sky is a light blue colour with clouds — The first Devcamp I organised at my previous company in 2019

A group of ten people making silly faces at the camera and doing hand poses, standing on some concrete and well manicured bright green grass. — Organising team for the last Devcamp I organised in 2026

I felt the need to write this post to put my intentions out in the universe. Naturally, this intention to do something different comes with discomfort and uncertainty about the future. It’s scary and makes me nervous. But weighing up my options, I know that life is simply too short to invest my time in doing something similar to what I was doing before, especially when I have the unique opportunity and time to explore something else I am passionate about. No one knows what will happen, and I might invest my time and money into something that doesn’t work out, but at least I know that it will come with new connections, new experiences, and so much learning, which is something that staying in the same career cannot necessarily guarantee.

Once again, I am so grateful to what this career has given me. I don’t know if this is the right choice, but I know that it is the right choice for me now. I am looking to the future with positivity and hope. With an eagerness and curiosity. I don’t know what’s around the corner, but I hope it brings good things.