A lot of mixed feelings and unanswered questions.

Elena's Growth Scoop

A personal reflection on navigating the AI-driven shift in tech from a millennial's perspective. Explores feelings of being perpetually behind, the erosion of hard-won expertise as AI flattens skill hierarchies, the social pressure of fake confidence online, and the uncomfortable economic questions around compensation and knowledge work. Argues that value is shifting away from execution toward taste, judgment, and prioritization — skills that are harder to build and teach.

Confessions of a Millennial in Tech

At least for me, tenure led to a certain amount of comfort. When you rise through the ranks, you have a senior+ title and ship stuff, people just take you more seriously. I noticed this over the years but did not really do a lot against it. Now AI forces me to learn and adjust again and it’s so much fun. Curiosity and adaptability is an edge you can use. Yes that 20 year old can create the app in 14 minutes but so can you. What can you do better? What can you teach that 20 year old?
And it’s always worth remembering that between all that FOMO the others also don’t have all the answer. I work with a lot of smart people and I still see many of them wondering about the same basic things I am. There is no shame in not being at the bleeding edge, that’s the one that’s getting replaced anyways.