Profiles in Tech, Part V: The Dev Whisperer

For our fifth installment of “Profiles in Tech,” we meet Ana, a product manager at a mobile app. We hear what it’s like to address a slew of user concerns, dealing with the ever-present pressure to fix everything, like now, like right away. We learn about her awesome ability to pick up on how her developers are feeling, especially the quieter voices. As a reminder, this blog series highlighting the unique mindset of those who work in tech… their outlook, their concerns, and their quest for fulfillment. Each post derives from an interview with an engineer, programmer, or developer in the San Francisco Bay Area, and begins with their story, followed by a few reflections from a mental health perspective.

techiesAndrew KushnickDecember 21, 2023attunement, burnout, communication, technology

In a Time of Layoffs, Solutions from a Therapist for Tech

From front-end to back-end, from C-level to entry-level programmers, tech workers are worried. And understandably so. Layoffs are still happening, and it’s leading to anxiety, along with longer hours, concerns about whether to look for a new job, and burnout. I recently appeared on a podcast called “The Mental Balance,” in which I offered solutions on how to cope, whether all of this constitutes trauma, and common mental health concerns in the tech world.

techies, traumaAndrew KushnickJune 22, 2023anxiety, brain, EMDR, mindfulness, technology, self-help, trauma, neuroscience, stress

Profiles in Tech, Part IV: Ambassador to the Republic of Tech

Our fourth installment of “Profiles in Tech” focuses on Jake, a software engineer at a bioscience lab. Jake works with scientists to identify what they’re needing from software, and relishes his role in translating the language of tech to an unfamiliar audience. As a reminder, this blog series highlighting the unique mindset of those who work in tech… their outlook, their concerns, and their quest for fulfillment. Each post derives from an interview with an engineer, programmer, or developer in the San Francisco Bay Area, and begins with their story, followed by a few reflections from a mental health perspective.

techiesAndrew KushnickAugust 3, 2021brain, communication, technology, window of tolerance, mindfulness, neuroscience

Profiles in Tech, Part III: Life in the Middle

Our third installment of “Profiles in Tech” focuses on Rebecca, a senior product designer and mid-level manager at a large tech company. In liaising between product managers and software engineers, and in getting her direct reports to discuss their feelings, Rebecca impressively bridges the left brain and the right brain. This blog series highlighting the unique mindset of those who work in tech… their outlook, their concerns, and their quest for fulfillment. Each post derives from an interview with an engineer, programmer, or developer in the San Francisco Bay Area, and begins with their story, followed by a few reflections from a mental health perspective.

techiesAndrew KushnickFebruary 25, 2020brain, communication, neuroscience, parenting, empathy