[davidw3]

In all seriousness -- why can't you move into architecture and design? I know it sounds a little trite, but I've seen many times where people don't do what they want or dream just because they haven't bothered to figure out how to get to their goal or simply because they don't let themselves. I know the world isn't always that simple, but I truly believe it is sometimes (plus some work and planning).

[unethical_ban]

I have only been in my current role for a handful of months, and frankly, I need to put out more work to get the kind of creds I need to command legitimacy in a design role. Before, I spent years as a SME on a different set of technologies - in a non-pandemic world, I may drop back to that world and do consulting. Right now, though, I have a great team, a great manager, and decent pay, so given all the volatility in the world I am taking what I can get until I feel a bit safer moving around.

[davidw3]

That makes sense -- I guessed it more something like this. Thanks for the response.