I resonated with a Daily Guardian opinion piece on job titles. How we shouldn’t fixate our entire identity on a position that someone else will fill in the future. But it’s easier said than done. I say this as someone who was laid off three weeks ago. I was happy when I was first assigned the position “Junior Developer” at my previous company. It meant that my efforts to develop and better myself during college were recognized. That I was a professional developer, albeit a junior. My three months of work were part learning, self-discovery, and diligence in doing the tasks assigned while also communicating consistently.
And now, I’m back on the job hunt. There’s pressure to keep applying for positions with tempting job titles (ex., ”Web Development Specialist”) and offers (ex., “HMO included”). But I said to myself, “No, not now. You have a few more things to work on.” That’s my portfolio and a new civic-tech project for my municipality. I may not be part of my previous company anymore. But I’ve left memories. Memories where human connections happen naturally and where the work gets done right on time.
Someday, the title will disappear, and the position will belong to someone else. What remains is what we built while we were there.
If we are fortunate, someone will come along after us and say: They left this place better than they found it.
That, perhaps, is title enough.
- Lcid Crescent D. Fernandez, CEO, Prometheus