AI is everywhere these days. New tools, new possibilities, constant change. For some, that feels exciting. But if you’ve been in the field for years, you might also feel something else: uncertainty, frustration, or even a quiet sadness. The work you once loved doesn’t feel quite the same anymore. Anyone who spends their days shaping, fixing or improving software. If that’s you, then you’ll know how deeply these changes touch not just your job, but how you see yourself.
When your profession suddenly changes
As a software engineer, developer or programmer, you’ve built applications, solved tricky bugs and optimised systems. You’ve worked hard, and you’ve taken pride in the skill it took. And now? A tool does in minutes what once took you hours. Managers expect more. Junior developers seem to fly ahead. And you’re left wondering: “Where does that leave me?”
“I don’t want to be an AI babysitter”
Many experienced engineers describe their new role with the same words: babysitting. Not building. Not creating. Just checking what the machine produces. It’s natural to feel resistance. You didn’t come into this profession to watch over a tool. You came because you love problem-solving, making sense of complexity, and seeing your own work come alive. When that joy fades, it touches not just your job but your identity.
Living with doubt
And so the questions arrive: “Is this still right for me? Do I want to keep going like this?”
That doubt can feel heavy. But it isn’t meaningless – it’s a sign. A signal that your work and your energy aren’t lining up anymore. And that’s something worth listening to.
Ask yourself gently:
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- What parts of my work still give me energy?
- Which tasks now feel draining?
- If I could reshape my role, what would I want more of – and less of?
Sometimes those answers point towards small shifts: learning to use new tools differently, moving into mentoring or architecture, exploring areas where your experience is vital – healthcare, sustainability, security.
And sometimes, they point further away.
What if you no longer believe in it?
For some, the struggle isn’t about skills at all. It’s about values.
Maybe you don’t feel comfortable with where technology is heading. Maybe you’d rather put your energy elsewhere – into teaching, policy, sustainability, or even a passion you set aside long ago.
For expats, it weighs even more
If you’re an expat, you may feel all of this more deeply. Your job is tied not just to your career, but to your visa, your home, perhaps your family’s sense of stability. No wonder the weight feels so heavy. It’s about more than work – it’s about life. That’s why it matters to talk about it. To admit to yourself: this is hard. And that’s okay. You don’t have to figure it all out alone.
Expat career coaching is built for exactly this kind of question.
A gentle exercise
Find a quiet moment, take a notebook, and write:
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- What still gives me energy?
- What drains me now?
- If I could change my role, what would I add – what would I remove?
- Which values matter more to me than technical skills?
- If titles didn’t matter, what would I choose to do?
You don’t need perfect answers. Just getting the thoughts out can show you what really matters.
If you see yourself in this story, please know this: you’re not alone. Talking it through with a coach, with someone who understands can help you find your next step. And if your role has already been made redundant, career transition support covers both the practical and the personal side.
