Phil Eaton reflects on his career transition from web development to database development over the past decade. He spent his early years (2014-2021) focused on web technologies—JavaScript, HTML, CSS, and various server-side languages like Python and Go—while managing engineering teams. Despite his lack of database knowledge, he pursued educational projects and wrote about his learning experiences on his blog. A pivotal moment came in 2020 when he encountered performance issues with an inbox application he developed, which sparked his interest in data structures and algorithms. This led him to create a simple in-memory SQL database. After a stint as a cofounder at TigerBeetle, where he engaged in marketing and community building, Eaton gained exposure to databases but still felt hesitant about his qualifications for a developer role. He built a strong network and continued to be active in the database community through projects like the Software Internals Discord and the NYC Systems Coffee Club. Eventually, he received multiple job offers focused on C and Rust development for Postgres extensions. He chose to work with EnterpriseDB, a long-established contributor to Postgres, where he now collaborates with experienced professionals. His retrospective highlights the rewarding shift back to individual contribution after years in management and entrepreneurship.