Software Engineering has forever changed - What's Next

In 2025, software engineering has reached a turning point. AI has drastically reshaped how we build software, boosting productivity and enabling us to create faster than ever before. But this new power comes with a challenge: restraint. Just because we can build something doesn’t mean we should. Without careful consideration, today’s rapid development could turn into tomorrow’s maintenance nightmare. In this video, I discuss how the industry is shifting, the new skills engineers need, and why the focus is no longer just on building but on choosing what’s truly worth building.

The demand for software isn’t slowing down, but the job itself is evolving. Engineers of the future will need to master two critical skills: deciding whether a project is worth pursuing and managing complex, long-term software maintenance. AI is a powerful tool, but it’s reshaping the industry in ways that require us to rethink how we approach development. Stick around for insights on how to thrive in this new era, whether you're starting your career, freelancing, or planning your next move. And if you’re still here, drop a robot emoji 🤖 in the comments—I’ll personally thank you for watching!

#softwareengineering #openaio3 #softwareengineering #softwareengineer #coders #careeradvice #2025jobs #softwareindustry

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I've been a software engineer since 2008 and with over a decade of experience, the industry is as crazy and as varied as ever.

I continually get asked for career advice and how to navigate writing code for a living and I wanted to share everything I've learned in hopes that I can help someone who is just starting in software engineering, who has been in it for a while and is too afraid to ask, or the seasoned vet to either agree or argue with me.

The intent of this channel is to have multiple series that include the following topics:
💰 Compensation
📈 Negotiations
📚 Career advice and guidance
📈 Stocks, RSUs, Stock options, and ESPP plans
👨‍🏫 Engineering interviews

I've done just about everything in software from working for 3 person start ups, 300 person start ups, silicon valley companies, Fortune 500 companies, small teams, big teams, W2 employment and 1099 contracting, full time contracting and moonlight part time work, independent development, launching my own web apps and iphone app.

[aunguyen]

To be honest, after 9 years in tech including a year at my ongoing tech startup, I feel exhausted to keep up with all the changes of the industry. Definitely would not recommend my kids to join this unstable industry 🤒

[PMSTACKER]

I have a friend that is older that was heavily recruited to come out of retirement during the pandemic. He had experience programming in obscure operating systems and was even programming during the time of renting mainframe time. Apparently, a lot of big companies had still not updated their OS, and all of the engineers were dying off. Also, he may have been in the 1979 World Disco Championship. After hearing his story, I found it ironic that technical obsolescence could be an employment

[hensonk]

Projects still take long time to finish but companies no longer hesitate to advertise and publish unfinished products. Worst case scenario there will be updates to fix worst problems.

[brianrountree]

I think you nailed the dynamic that goes on in the programmer's economy, Cody!

During boom times, there's this huge type of expansion in IT where it's not so much software maintenance as it is software replacement. As soon as the true economy takes a nose-dive, software goes into this almost pure maintenance mode. I suspect that A.I. isn't ending jobs as much as it is scaring off new hiring. IT does this cycle between all maintenance, which then later transitions back into this cycle to replace everything with the newest thing.

Software just waits for that next cycle to hit and then tries to be on the leading edge of capitalizing on the next craze. Software and most of IT is not a steady industry, which is why it routinely pushes the "shortage" narrative, which is almost analogous to saying something like there is a shortage of part-time workers in this country, or IOW it's a ridiculous argument that this industry makes to share with people who are trying to make decisions over their own future.

It should also be said that a lot of companies wait through many tech cycles before they finally upgrade their technology, and this has always been true. I'd say we're firmly in a tech recession at the moment. In the past, these bust cycles could easily last for five years or more. When there is an upcycle, it's more like musical chairs, where one has to find a chair before the music stops.

[Fenix-mzil]

United States:
2023: Over 191, 000 workers in U.S.-based tech companies were laid off in mass job cuts.
2024: At least 95, 667 workers at U.S.-based tech companies lost their jobs.
Global Figures:
2023: The total number of tech layoffs was approximately 262, 735, marking a 59% increase compared to 2022.
2024: The tech layoff wave continued, with more than 150, 000 job cuts reported.

[anth]

Really enjoyed the insights. I think you're absolutely right. Speed will increase, but could create long term maintenance issues. Like everything in software, everything is a trade off

[aura]

Do you still believe the job market for software engineers is improving in 2025?

[insertname]

IDK which AI are you guys using, so far all LLMs I've tested are shitty at code

[WestTechLol]

🤖Good stuff! Legacy code overhead is real. I spend 95% of my time reading code, not writing it. I don't see AI ever making that job any easier - "How do I change an engine on a 747 while in flight?" is basically now THE JOB.

[enthiranipalasingam]

Hi, I just discovered your channel, I love the fact that you answer to the comments. As a student in SE, which advice do you give me?

[ascourter]

Considering maintenance is key in any new software project. Great video Cody! 🤖

[Sanvi-jw]

So should I go for my masters in machine Intelligence and data science? I am scared don't know why

[ali-]

Thanks🤖 Do you offer coffee chats / 1:1 consulting as well Cody? I want to discuss some questions with you which are currently bothering me a lot.. I want to switch jobs, but confused about few critical things

[sarveshkhanvilkar]

So what do you think should I learn basic tech like html, css, js or just the foundation os, networking, DBMS as college student

[eman]

Benchmarks doesn't mean jack. Can it write complex software and not have any bugs? Highly doubt it. It's all hype.

[kristianlavigne]

The AI reasoning systems will shortly be able to continuously refactor the code to reduce technical debt. That’s a given. Game over 😅

[LukeAvedon]

Great thoughts. Per 6:10, I am curious what the demand will be for more hardcore debugging skills with faster velocity and a lot of AI generated schlock. My biggest hope is we will start moving fast enough that we can finally smash the fake Agile corporate SCRUM, and the whole concept of endless meetings to write out how we are going to change a button. However, I think this might be optimistic delusion on my part. Like you, I'm not worried about the demand for developers decreasing.

[DavidDLee]

Make AI fix and maintain the code, make small improvements and make new releases.
Also, carry the pager.

[nilfux]

Tell that to the people interviewing ANYWHERE.

[ottofrank]

I guess developers will become like that guy in front of an orchestra. But data is still dirty and unreliable. It's like snake eating it's own tail.