Writing

The tech market isn't dead. You're just playing the old game.

Table of Contents

Source note: This post is my written adaptation and summary of ideas from Phillip Choi’s video, “How to actually make money in Tech in 2025”. I rewrote the material in my own words and adjusted the framing and presentation, but the core structure and several examples are based on the original video.

1. The old game

In 2026, if you want to work in tech industry, especially if you are a junior developer, you can’t just grind the tutorials at night, apply everywhere and wait for the jobs to come.

The tech industry has fundamentally shifted in a way that most people haven’t realized yet. I’ve just started working in this industry for more than a year since AI technology booming, and there are three most crucial changes that is happening right now.

2. Three changes in tech industry

2.1 First: AI integration

AI integration has erased entry-level coding roles: the need for entry level jobs. Company used to hire junior developer to build simple, basic features now uses AI instead.

2.2 The hiring pipeline is broken

The traditional hiring system is broken today. Job boards are flooded with thousands of applicants for ghost posts or performative listings. High-value roles are secured internally or through network long before reaching the public.

2.3 Specialization beats general experience

Broad, generalized knowledge no longer commands a premium. A developer with one year of deep, hyper-focused experience routinely out-earns a generalist with five.

2.4 Case Study: The 90% Component rule

flowchart TD
    A["Application"]

    A --> B["Authentication"]
    A --> C["Profile"]
    A --> D["Chat"]

    B --> E["Reusable Core Modules"]
    C --> E
    D --> E

    E --> F["Client A"]
    E --> G["Client B"]
    E --> H["Client C"]

    classDef app fill:#f8fafc,stroke:#475569,stroke-width:2px,color:#0f172a
    classDef feature fill:#eff6ff,stroke:#3b82f6,stroke-width:1.5px,color:#1e3a8a
    classDef core fill:#ecfdf5,stroke:#10b981,stroke-width:2px,color:#065f46
    classDef client fill:#ffffff,stroke:#cbd5e1,stroke-width:1px,color:#334155

    class A app
    class B,C,D feature
    class E core
    class F,G,H client

During a client build for a mental health application, a tech firm’s CEO ordered a complete refactor to turn the app’s architecture into reuseable modules for future clients.

This revealed a critical pattern: nearly every application relies on the same core features - authentication, chat and profile management. Developers who can build modular, scalable systems for these core components become irreplaceable. Those who rely on surface-level tutorial knowledge quickly find themselves obsolete.

3. Three paths to high-income are now emerging

flowchart TD
    A["TECH CAREER"]

    A --> B["⚙️ SPECIALIST"]
    A --> C["🧩 FOUNDER"]
    A --> D["💼 TECH-ADJACENT"]

    B --> B1["Deep technical<br/>expertise"]
    C --> C1["Solve niche<br/>problems"]
    D --> D1["Solve technical<br/>business problems"]

    classDef root fill:#f8fafc,stroke:#475569,stroke-width:2px,color:#0f172a
    classDef path fill:#eff6ff,stroke:#3b82f6,stroke-width:1.5px,color:#1e3a8a
    classDef detail fill:#ffffff,stroke:#cbd5e1,stroke-width:1px,color:#334155

    class A root
    class B,C,D path
    class B1,C1,D1 detail

3.1 1. Specialized developers

Forget broad “full-stack” titles. Just master one-high value, critical domain.

Example: Adam focused strictly on payment processing architectures. With 90 days, he secured a six-gure junior role by solving one high-value problem exceptionally well.

3.2 2. Niche technical founders

Avoid chasing massive customer platforms. Solve a specific bottleneck using targeted SaaS, specialized automation, or technical consulting.

Example: Beth, a former florist, built an inventory management system specifically for flower shops. She generates multi 5-figure revenues by solving an unaddressed niche problem.

3.3 3. Tech-Adjacent Professionals

High earners in roles like Product Management, Technical Sales, or Solution Architecture often write minimal code. Their primary skill is identifying high-value technical problems.

4. The problem-solving mindset in Practice

Building software is not about syntax, it’s about modular efficiency. By identifying recurring application requirements, you can build documented, reuseable boilerplate frameworks rather than reinventing systems for every project.

5. Execution Framework

To apply this mindset, we can do the following steps:

  1. Identify repetitive takss or systematic inefficiencies in your target domain.

  2. Root-cause the issue (apply the “5 Whys” methodology)

  3. Build a proof-of-concept (POC) that addresses the problem at scale.

  4. Document and distribute your solution to validate market demand.

Example: Sheath, a 40-year-old with zero techincal background, focused exclusively on custom e-commerce components for local, small businesses. Within 5 months, he was freelancing for high-profile executives and earning multi-five figures by delivering direct business utility.

6. 6-month Exection Roadmap

flowchart LR
    M1((1))
    M2((2–3))
    M3((4–5))
    M4((6))

    M1 --> S1["Strategy & Target Selection<br/><br/>• Choose one path<br/>• Research tech stack<br/>• Define roadmap"]
    S1 --> M2

    M2 --> S2["Core Building & Public Proof<br/><br/>• Learn technologies<br/>• Build components<br/>• Document publicly"]
    S2 --> M3

    M3 --> S3["Solution Build & Validation<br/><br/>• Build solution<br/>• Test with real users<br/>• Iterate & document"]
    S3 --> M4

    M4 --> S4["Positioning & Monetization<br/><br/>• Package portfolio<br/>• Pitch companies/clients<br/>• Position as specialist"]

    classDef milestone fill:#2563eb,stroke:#1d4ed8,stroke-width:2px,color:#ffffff
    classDef card fill:#ffffff,stroke:#cbd5e1,stroke-width:1.5px,color:#0f172a

    class M1,M2,M3,M4 milestone
    class S1,S2,S3,S4 card

Month 1: Strategy & Target Selection

  • Choose one path: Specialist, Technical Founder, or Tech Adjacent Pro

  • Research the minimum viable tech stack required for your target domain.

  • Define a strict, focused learning roadmap.

Months 2-3: Core buildings & public proof

  • Learn the target technologies

  • Construct foundational components

  • Document your development process publicly to build technical credibility.

Months 4-5: Solution Build & Validation

  • Build an end-to-end solution for a concrete problem.

  • Test with real users, iterate on feedback, and produce comprehensive documentation.

Month 6: Positioning & Monetization

  • Package your solution into a focused portfolio.

  • Pitch directly to companies or clients experiencing the exact problem you solve.

  • Position yourself as a domain specialist, not a generic developer.

7. Conclusion

Focus on solving discrete problems rather than collecting generic skills. To retain leverage as tools evolve, build systems, not just skills. Clean documentation and reuseable components hold as much value as the code itself.

References

  • Philip Choi — How to ACTUALLY Make Money in Tech in 2025, YouTube
    [Video URL]