from Gergely Orosz | by Gergely Orosz

I remember I being somewhat frustrated years ago how my side projects did not help me get jobs, weren't recognized during perf reviews: they were invisible for my corporate career. They did set the basis for the entrepreneurial path I am on. They were an investment in myself. t.co/VwJhymbGmC

I only understood the "why" when I was an eng manager, talking with a dev who reminded me of my earlier self. I said: "Know that this is a company who cares about what you do *for the company*. If they help the company: you get recognition. But do keep doing these for yourself."

When you are an employee, your employer recognizes and rewards things that directly affect their business. If they gave you a higher bonus for some non-work-related success, they'd incentivize everyone to do stuff outside work, that the company sees no direct benefit from.

Also, some companies and managers will be hostile for too many, or too visible side projects. I was told to do fewer talks (outside of work), blog less (outside of work) etc. I stood out from my peers with these activities, my (skip) manager noticed this, and did not like it.

In some ways, I now understand the hostility or not appreciating side projects too much. Those who do many side projects are entrepreneurial, and there's good chance they won't end up the corporate career ladder. It's a pattern some of my former (skip) managers might have seen.