MIT CS - Early MS - Windows and Word - Startup vet - MVP maven - Independent CTO and program manager - Working remotely from Malta and around the world - Ceaselessly curious
I think this is great, and the next frontier is to analyze how well calls can be handled by a local model. Realistically, to do that usefully requires response time as a new dimension of judging: Can a local model provide an acceptably accurate response in an acceptable amount of time?
I have some experience in this situation. About 20 years ago, I transitioned from employee to consultant. I do IT projects like fractional or temporary CTO in smaller organizations.
I do projects that last from 6 to 18 months, and in each one I learn about a new business, and often learn about a new technology. it keeps things fresh and interesting.
I can do this because my skill set is pretty broad and I have spent time building and maintaining a big network over my career - not necessarily attributes that can be acquired quickly.
I guess the only actionable advice is to consider working out side FAANG, and be open to consulting vs. employee. There's plenty of reward and plenty of interesting work out here.
As an expat, in modern usage, I have observed this as a US vs. Europe (or maybe vs. ROW) issue. In the US, IT is like networking and helpdesk, and in Europe, it is more the whole hw-sw-networking-development mass.
Actually the density is so great that lots of blocks have a bakery, and most have a convenience store, and usually several kinds of other shops, like clothing or stationery.
I was amazed that there were two model train shops within 10 minutes walk of our place in Barcelona. In a dense city, specialist businesses can thrive.
My ZX81 memory: I took the T to the Sinclair administrative office in Boston to buy a super-early one with cash money.
I had pre-flighted the transaction by phone, but it was still a strange thing for the office to do a retail transaction - I think my change came out of the postage money drawer. The machine was handed over in brown corrugate, without shiny shelf-ready packaging.
Many hours of programming and experimentation ensued.