I support 4 different software solutions each part of a different product team and each having their own product manager. PM is definitely not my boss, just an unnecessary middle man making the total cost of tech more expensive.
Product Management is a total joke, it's just MBAs trying to be relevant in the world of tech. They're nothing but middlemen that don't understand technology and impose administrative overhead on engineers.
Because 99% of new tech is bullshit. It changed too much, no one can keep up. These old stacks are still around because they're proven to get the job done.
Same here at a Fortune 20 in a low COL midwestern city. I've been doing the same job for 9 years, every day is different so it keeps me interested. Minimal off hours support, 40 hours a week is sometimes too much time. I made $120,000 this year to top it off. It's been a dream job for me, never thought I'd be here ever and I'm only 33... However I do stress often that I may be missing out on more money or that I may be falling behind on technology. I wish I could look far ahead to ensure I have what I need to keep job security.
Just because I respond with "what's up?" Or "hey" does not mean I will immediately respond to the request. In fact I usually come back to these types of chats an hour or so later kind of as a punishment. You have to train-UP your peers and customers to set expectations. It may sound brash but we're not here to make friends and constantly being interrupted while in deep thought is not healthy.
This is why I answer Teams chats on my own accord, notifications are disabled. I'm not paid to sit in chat rooms and answer questions. Submit a ticket or send an email. I determine what is a priority
Kroger is straight up replacing instacart within 5 years. Ocado robotic warehouses will pick next day orders, local fulfilment centers will pick same day orders and pick ups, and traditional warehouses will continue to supply the stores. This also means Kroger will stop picking product from their own shelves for curbside and online orders, therefore solving a huge issue with out of stocks for those traditional brick and motor customers. Instacart is screwed