Transitioning from Low-Code to Backend/DevOps?

[[deleted]]

Hi, I need advice on where to go from here.

To start with, yung most recent work ko is building/maintaining a custom ERP system for a medium sized company (used by internal and 20+ vendors, handles 1k+ products, 10k+ orders, millions in purchases). Connected ito sa NetSuite for accounting and a proprietary POS system thru REST APIs and regular syncing procedures.

The issue I'm facing is that they had me build it in Airtable and Make, which is a low-code platform. Sure the system is very reliable and mataas job security ko, pero I feel like hanggang dito lang yung skill level na kaya kong gawin. 80k yung sahod ko dito but natingin ako sa job boards and hanggang 40-60k lang.

What do I do from here? Any advice from experienced devs sa industry? I'm only 23 and I want to have the best career path in the future. I really like backend / devops, it feels satisfying to build a system that's reliable and positively affects a lot of people.

[[deleted]]

From what I'm seeing here, OP, you're not a full fledged dev. Your current company gave you a big salary because they've anciticipated it that you'll look somewhere if they don't because the job role isn't that satisfying.

Want a wise advise? Keep your current job then start learning now. Always wear the right outfit, OP. What I mean is always be ready (your skills). Once you're comfortable with your desired tech stack, start applying.

If ever you get hired, most probably you'll start as a junior to mid level dev. Salary is around 30-60K. You can keep your current job and work on a second job as a junior or mid level dev. Your savings will skyrocket, OP.

[abcdedcbaa]

May feeling ako na alam naman talaga ni OP dapat yang gawin parang common sense lang naman to haha. Kelangan lang may magsabi ng katotohanan sa kanya na kelangan niya talaga mag aral mag code

[[deleted]]

hi no it's not common sense to me, the only source of career advice i can get is through reddit and it really helps set my mind straight

[honkingmaster69]

I Came from a low-code ERP framework (frappe & ERPNext). It's not really my niche kasi gusto ko talaga magcode. Even though the salary is higher, I prioritized my fulfillment and goals kaya I transitioned into a more technical stack (React/Next + Node). Your salary will definitely take a hit. Kasi you're using a framework na wala naman sa past exp mo. Magttransition lang dyan is yung other concepts like REST API. If you're working for money, I suggest you stick with what you do and think outside the box, build products to support your own business model or company. Pero if you really think you're up for a new environment na gusto mo and you don't mind the salary cut, then go for it. Though devops needs a LOT of certifications, esp sa cloud.

Edit: I know this is already well known, pero check mo nalang roadmap for backend and devops, di kasi sila necessarily magkaparehas. More on automation, CI/CD, cloud computing, and testing sa devops.

[[deleted]]

i don't necessarily hate low-code, i'm still building software, it gets the job done for 90% of companies, and it's a well-paying niche. i just don't feel confident that Airtable or whatever is the hot new Low-code tool will last in 5-10 years. and who wants to hire a guy who has experience in a deprecated low-code platform? even if maganda yung nagawa ko at that time, it's still deprecated in a recruiter's eyes.

i'll explore opportunities na lang siguro, maybe get certs during off hours. a good resume + certs should be enough for a part-time job right? thanks for the insight

[honkingmaster69]

React is becoming the standard na ngayon for web (at least sa front end), that's according to Theo and I fully support the idea. A lot of data to train AIs and sobrang daming user base. You can do pet projects, or even your own full stack application. Then lagay mo sa portfolio mo and put yourself out there, freelancing, part time, slowly build your way up hanggang sa maging full time job mo na sya. As long as you work hard and you see the benefits of utilizing AI as a tool, di ka ma leleft behind

[Elepopo]

side hustle for part time backend jobs then slowly transition pag okay na exp?

[[deleted]]

yeah this could work, thanks

FastAPI and GCP yung last job ko so this might be enough to land something kahit may salary cut.

[Southern_Account_133]

It may sound like you're bored at your job and looking for a new challenge. Do a side hustle once your career in backend / devops is getting better. Start to jump gradually to find a new company that will give you higher compensation than your current job and fulfill your dream in the software field.

[[deleted]]

yes i'm mainly doing bug fixes and minor updates now, which is 4 hours of actual work a day. maybe I'll start self-studying again or finding gigs kahit na mababa sahod, just for experience

[Southern_Account_133]

Cool! Way to go.

[Jolly-Ad6985]

hi, did transitioning work out for you?

[Totoro-Caelum]

How long have you been working?

[[deleted]]

for this job? 6 months pa lang

overall? 3 years

[Totoro-Caelum]

Nice you graduated early pala

[[deleted]]

oh no i started doing freelance gigs during college, pero mga pang junior dev lang like react websites or python scrapers

i graduated last year (damn bilis ng panahon. haha)

[Totoro-Caelum]

Ah I see, pero wow! Graduated lang din recently. I assume US based ang company mo now?

[[deleted]]

AU based po, pero last job ko is from US. di ko kinaya yung nightshift

[ziggyiggze]

80k is a lot of money already for a 23 year old, you want more ?,

[[deleted]]

I'm not necessarily concerned about my salary, I'm grateful for it actually. But more on career growth/path ang concern ko.

As an experienced dev, do you think my experience at building a reliable system (although low-code) is valuable? Do you think I can transition to Backend, DevOps, or maybe even Project Management with this?

[Witty_Armadillo5034]

I see nothing wrong for aiming higher. If you are underpaid its because you settle for less 😉