Anything involving government is very low pressure.
I am a consultant, and I have a financial client where everything is an emergency and a government client where nothing is an emergency.
Ask HN: Low pressure programming jobs?
11–20 of 33 posts
Re: Ask HN: Low pressure programming jobs?
#12typically, higher salary = higher stress, more hours, difficult problems. if you want a lower stress job, go find one that pays less. either they'll expect less of you, or the problems will be easier for you to solve, so you'll not be stressed at deadlines. this isn't always the case, of course, but its just my observation. out of college, i took a lower paying position that was very low-stress, and i had time to liv…
I used to think the same thing. I'm glad I woke up.
It has nothing to do with the money, and everything to do with who you're working with. You can have bad client/coworkers/boss at $12/hour and fantastic clients/coworkers/boss at $150. For all the people reading this that are in a stressful position. You can find a less stressful job AND make more money.
Let me repeat that. You can find a less stressful job AND make more money.
So if you hate your job, start looking for new work now. You'll wonder why it took you so long.
Re: Ask HN: Low pressure programming jobs?
#13Anything involving government is very low pressure. I am a consultant, and I have a financial client where everything is an emergency and a government client where nothing is an emergency.
Low pressure and also you have to sacrifice a goat just to actually GET anything to do. Went stir crazy.
Re: Ask HN: Low pressure programming jobs?
#14typically, higher salary = higher stress, more hours, difficult problems. if you want a lower stress job, go find one that pays less. either they'll expect less of you, or the problems will be easier for you to solve, so you'll not be stressed at deadlines. this isn't always the case, of course, but its just my observation. out of college, i took a lower paying position that was very low-stress, and i had time to liv…
I used to think the same thing. I'm glad I woke up. It has nothing to do with the money, and everything to do with who you're working with. You can have bad client/coworkers/boss at $12/hour and fantastic clients/coworkers/boss at $150. For all the people reading this that are in a stressful position. You can find a less stressful job AND make more money. Let me repeat that. You can find a less stressful job AND make…
An interesting proposition and something I tend to believe. Any tips on how you can figure this out besides jumping from job to job waiting to see if it works?
Re: Ask HN: Low pressure programming jobs?
#15Anything involving government is very low pressure. I am a consultant, and I have a financial client where everything is an emergency and a government client where nothing is an emergency.
Low pressure and also you have to sacrifice a goat just to actually GET anything to do. Went stir crazy.
Good to know. I always had a suspicion government would move slowly, but I didn't consider it might so slow to that you don't get anything done. EDIT: Upon further reading of the previous statement, I now realize how ridiculously obvious it would be that government gets nothing done :)
Re: Ask HN: Low pressure programming jobs?
#16I've had three programming jobs out of school and have never had that experience. Though, others in the same positions have shared the same experiences as you. This leads me to believe that it is more about the person than the job (although the job certainly has an impact). 1. Learn to estimate effectively, I usually just double whatever time I believe something will take and usually finish early (without having to k…
An apt and constructive criticism. Thank you for it. I am part of the problem, undoubtedly, but unfortunately when I do try to pad my estimates, I usually get back "That should take you two weeks." because management doesn't understand what they are asking for. I should work on my persuasive skills nonetheless.
Re: Ask HN: Low pressure programming jobs?
#17typically, higher salary = higher stress, more hours, difficult problems. if you want a lower stress job, go find one that pays less. either they'll expect less of you, or the problems will be easier for you to solve, so you'll not be stressed at deadlines. this isn't always the case, of course, but its just my observation. out of college, i took a lower paying position that was very low-stress, and i had time to liv…
I used to think the same thing. I'm glad I woke up. It has nothing to do with the money, and everything to do with who you're working with. You can have bad client/coworkers/boss at $12/hour and fantastic clients/coworkers/boss at $150. For all the people reading this that are in a stressful position. You can find a less stressful job AND make more money. Let me repeat that. You can find a less stressful job AND make…
you can, i just don't believe it to be the norm. i tend to throw those outliers out. you "can" be that guy who is paid to be caretaker to a tropical island. but odds are, that isn't going to be you.
i'm in a less stressful and better paying job myself right now, working with some really great people. but i recognize that out of all the people i know personally and professionally in the industry outside my current workplace, i'm one of the lucky few.
edited to add: also, its much easier to get an ideal job when you're employed and not desperate. the second you make the active decision to leave, you're going to be looking for something good enough to switch to because you want out
Re: Ask HN: Low pressure programming jobs?
#18What's the thing that you love, but that doesn't pay? Can you make it pay?
Re: Ask HN: Low pressure programming jobs?
#19Just stop thinking about it and find another job. I was in a position in 2005 where I was treated like crap by my boss. I found a new one that paid more and treated me better.
In the end you are responsible for your career path and work surroundings and you are the only one who can or will do anything to fix it.
The statement below throws up a red flag for me. It is the people who MAKE the time to pursue advancement that achieve it. People who do there job at work because it their job tend to always be in crappy positions and underpaid. Fix that.
[hear you. However, programming is not my life. I'm intellectually exhausted when I come home and have no drive to pursue the things I TRULY love]
Re: Ask HN: Low pressure programming jobs?
#20There are programming jobs in every industry. You just have to look harder. Find a job in an industry that uses technology, but isn't reliable on it in a matter of life or death fashion. My last place of employment was a 30 mile commute one way, was stressful, and I worked 40 to 70 hour work weeks. My current place of employment is about 5 miles away, not nearly as stressful, and I rarely work over 40 hours a week. W…
Great advice. Thanks.