When I first joined lakeFS by Treeverse in 2020, we were just four engineers building an open-source solution for data versioning. It was exhilarating—being part of something from the ground up, shaping the product, and seeing it grow. But after four years, something changed. The excitement faded, and I felt like I was running in place, repeating past cycles. So, I left. I wanted something new, something challenging.
What I didn’t expect was that my journey would eventually lead me back.
Before diving into that journey, I want to share a bit about myself. I’m married, with a teen and two pets (dog, cat), and outside of work, sports play a big role in my life; I find clarity in running, swimming, and biking. My love for computers and coding started early, back when I first got my hands on a Commodore 64. That curiosity turned into a career, one that initially led me to work for large companies. But over time, I realized something crucial: I thrive in smaller environments, where I can have a more direct impact, shape ideas, and be part of something that feels personal. That realization set the stage for everything that followed.
The Decision to Leave: When Growth Stalls
Leaving a startup you helped build isn’t easy. But after four years, I felt stuck. The company had grown, the team had expanded, but my role stagnated; -it was too familiar. It felt like I had reached a ceiling where every challenge was one I had faced before, just in a different setting.
It wasn’t that I had a clear vision of what I wanted next. In fact, it was the opposite. I only knew what I didn’t want: to keep repeating the same patterns without growth. I also felt misunderstood. Maybe my desire for something new should have been obvious to those around me, or maybe I should have communicated it better. Either way, I reached a point where staying felt like staying in neutral..
And then the opportunity came: a fresh start at a new startup.
A New Startup, A New Perspective
Jumping into a new company was refreshing. A small, early-stage team, working on proof-of-concepts, exploring new problem domains – it was exactly what I thought I needed. The promise of a blank slate, new challenges, and different responsibilities felt exciting.
At first, everything was fresh. I embraced the chaos, the rapid experimentation, and the feeling that anything was possible. But as the months went on, a familiar uncertainty crept in. The company struggled to gain momentum, the vision kept shifting, and I found myself questioning whether I was truly engaged with the work. The thrill of the unknown started to fade, and I faced a difficult realization: just chasing something new wasn’t enough.
After eight months, the startup shut down. The founders couldn’t align on a path forward, and we weren’t making tangible progress. While I had my own concerns about the direction of my role, the state of the company ultimately made the decision for me. It wasn’t something I had anticipated, but I suddenly found myself searching for my next step once again.
Rediscovering What Matters
This time, I took a different approach. I didn’t rush into the next job. Instead, I took a step back. I ran, I rested, and most importantly, I talked to people. Conversations with former colleagues, mentors, and friends helped me reflect on when I had been happiest in my career. Not to let others define my path, but to gain perspective on where I thrived.
From those conversations, three things became clear:
- I do my best work when surrounded by people I respect and enjoy collaborating with.
- I love solving technical challenges, and development remains a core part of what drives me.
- I need a sense of ownership; a role where I’m not just building but also shaping the direction of a product.
Ironically, the answer wasn’t something completely new. It was something familiar, but with a twist.
Why I Returned to lakeFS by Treeverse
As I explored my options, a conversation with Oz and Einat, the co-founders of Treeverse, made me reconsider an idea I hadn’t entertained before: coming back! The company had continued to grow, and there was an opportunity to take on more product responsibilities while keeping my technical leadership role.
This wasn’t just about returning. It was about stepping back in with a new perspective, a fresh approach, and the chance to shape something in a way I hadn’t before. Instead of feeling like I was repeating the past, I saw an opportunity to redefine my role and bring in the lessons I had learned from my time away.
Lessons for Engineers Facing Career Uncertainty
If you’re feeling stuck in your career, my advice is simple: explore.
Sometimes, you need to step away to see things clearly. Whether it’s a new job, a side project, or even just conversations with people who know you well – these experiences help you figure out what excites you, what drains you, and where you thrive. And if that journey leads you back to where you started, it doesn’t mean you’ve going in circles; it means you’ve grown.
Leaving Treeverse helped me realize what I truly valued. Returning gave me a chance to apply that knowledge in a meaningful way. Growth isn’t always about moving forward to something completely new; sometimes, it’s about seeing the familiar through a different lens.
And that, I believe, is how real progress happens.
