Bridging Two Worlds: Balancing Leadership and Technical Curiosity

It's been a while since my last update and life has certainly kept me busy. I cannot recall if I posted this, but I have taken on a role as the VP of Professional Services for a cybersecurity company (specifically governance, risk, and compliance). While I oversee a large team of tremendously talented engineers, I do not get as much hands-on time with interesting projects. Transitioning into this position has been both challenging and rewarding, particularly since cybersecurity has never been my strong suit. This new role has pushed me out of my comfort zone, allowing me to grow in areas I hadn’t previously explored in depth. While I have always enjoyed the technical side of things, this position has provided a fresh perspective on the strategic and operational facets of the industry.

I do miss the hands-on engineering work from my earlier career. There's something uniquely satisfying about building and problem-solving that I find myself craving. In my spare time, I’ve been diving back into the world of coding, exploring new programming languages, frameworks, and techniques. This journey has been both nostalgic and invigorating, as I rediscover the joy of creating and experimenting with cutting-edge technologies. It's a hobby that not only keeps my skills sharp but also reminds me of the core passions that drove me into tech in the first place.

Recently, I’ve been particularly interested in the advancements of NextJS and its powerful capabilities for front-end development. The new functionalities have opened up a myriad of possibilities, making it easier to create robust and scalable web applications. On the back-end side, NestJS has caught my attention. Its modular architecture and support for TypeScript provide a refreshing approach to building server-side applications. Comparing Rust and Go has also been an enlightening experience; both languages offer unique advantages, and understanding their differences has broadened my appreciation for efficient, systems-level programming.

I've also been experimenting with ORM tools like Prisma, which have revolutionized the way I think about database interactions. The ability to seamlessly integrate database operations within a type-safe environment simplifies a lot of the complexities that I used to encounter. Reflecting on my time creating internally-facing applications and tools, I can’t help but wish I had access to these modern tools back then. They undoubtedly would have made development faster, more efficient, and perhaps even more enjoyable.

As I continue to navigate my new role, I’m grateful for the balance it provides between leadership responsibilities and technical exploration. This dual engagement keeps me connected to the evolving landscape of technology while also allowing me to contribute strategically to my organization. I’m excited to see where this journey takes me and look forward to sharing more insights and updates along the way. Thank you for following along and stay tuned for more posts about my adventures in both the professional and technical realms.