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Ask HN: Which role in software engineering is the best for average person?

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Re: Ask HN: Which role in software engineering is the best for average person?

#11

Post by throwaway1183 »

mattbrewsbytes wrote: post #10

I think there should be an innate quality about someone in software that they enjoy the work. If it didn’t pay well I’d still be doing this, I love working with computers and started before google came about. If people are in it for the money and don’t enjoy the work they will likely not do well, not excel at anything, not be curious about learning and just plod along to get by. As much as you don’t need a degree to…

Okay! This makes sense. Culture is important!

However, I kindly request you to not conclude that wanting to be average doesn't mean not having interest in the field. It's the contrary. I am so invested, I know what mind blogging things people can do. And I also know I will never be able to reach where these people are.

Hence, I want to understand a way to find the balance. It's okay to be curious and learning. Also the fact life isn't fair for everyone. For some it comes easy, for some it may take lifetime.

Re: Ask HN: Which role in software engineering is the best for average person?

#12

Post by icedchai »

throwaway1183 wrote: post #8
icedchai wrote: post #7

Do you really want to be "average" at your job? What do you really want to do? I've worked with barely average developers and believe me, they frustrate the rest of the team. They'll copy-and-paste the same code 5x instead of asking where they should put a new module. They'll commit untested code into main, and leave it to the next guy to clean it up, just so they can close their ticket. Communication is often poor.…

Yeah, totally. At least I would try to communicate on important decisions. However, I have zero interest in making decisions, making presentation, trying to prove things or any of that. All I want is a task that is achievable in given allocated time and fits my skill level. I have given up on hopes of learning. There is no such thing as learning after highschool. It's always one thing after another. College is chasin…

It sounds like you just want to get paid and go home. I'm not going to judge, but I think you need to focus on specific industries, not job titles. All the roles you list can be quite demanding. Look for a non-tech, older company where they are set in their ways and have to deal with a ton of regulations. Think banks, insurance, defense, government.

Re: Ask HN: Which role in software engineering is the best for average person?

#13

Post by throwaway1183 »

icedchai wrote: post #12
throwaway1183 wrote: post #8

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Yeah, totally. At least I would try to communicate on important decisions. However, I have zero interest in making decisions, making presentation, trying to prove things or any of that. All I want is a task that is achievable in given allocated time and fits my skill level. I have given up on hopes of learning. There is no such thing as learning after highschool. It's always one thing after another. College is chasin…

It sounds like you just want to get paid and go home. I'm not going to judge, but I think you need to focus on specific industries, not job titles. All the roles you list can be quite demanding. Look for a non-tech, older company where they are set in their ways and have to deal with a ton of regulations. Think banks, insurance, defense, government.

Oh!! Thank you!! These are the answers I am looking for because these never crossed my thoughts. These are boring and no one likes them! Exactly my taste.

Re: Ask HN: Which role in software engineering is the best for average person?

#14

Post by icedchai »

throwaway1183 wrote: post #13
icedchai wrote: post #12

Earlier quoted context omitted.

It sounds like you just want to get paid and go home. I'm not going to judge, but I think you need to focus on specific industries, not job titles. All the roles you list can be quite demanding. Look for a non-tech, older company where they are set in their ways and have to deal with a ton of regulations. Think banks, insurance, defense, government.

Oh!! Thank you!! These are the answers I am looking for because these never crossed my thoughts. These are boring and no one likes them! Exactly my taste.

Good luck! Also, consider a tech adjacent role like "scrum master." I once worked with a scrum master who did an hour of work a day if he was lucky. I mean, he did eventually get laid off... but...

Re: Ask HN: Which role in software engineering is the best for average person?

#15

Post by Exuma »

throwaway1183 wrote: post #8
icedchai wrote: post #7

Do you really want to be "average" at your job? What do you really want to do? I've worked with barely average developers and believe me, they frustrate the rest of the team. They'll copy-and-paste the same code 5x instead of asking where they should put a new module. They'll commit untested code into main, and leave it to the next guy to clean it up, just so they can close their ticket. Communication is often poor.…

Yeah, totally. At least I would try to communicate on important decisions. However, I have zero interest in making decisions, making presentation, trying to prove things or any of that. All I want is a task that is achievable in given allocated time and fits my skill level. I have given up on hopes of learning. There is no such thing as learning after highschool. It's always one thing after another. College is chasin…

Talk about a loser mentality. Stay far away from my companies … barf

Re: Ask HN: Which role in software engineering is the best for average person?

#17

Post by quickthrower2 »

throwaway1183 wrote: post #9
quickthrower2 wrote: post #6

Back end and devops probably give the best combo of pay and work life balance. Front end had you chasing frameworks. Front end for you own projects is OK but for a company get ready to learn the latest React nonsense while supporting Angular, JQuery Plugins and everything else that was in vogue over the life of your codebase. Unless you join a disciplined team that doesn’t chase fads or rewrites everything each time.…

So it likes transition into a business roles or try to be CEO. My question, is there no way to be eternally stuck as "senior/staff engineer". I do not want anything beyond that. The salary of an average senior/staff engineer is always greater than median salary of the country. That should solve all the living expenses.

You can if course stay at that level forever.

Living expenses may or may not be constant. If you have a family expect them to increase alot while having less time to keep up with tech.

Re: Ask HN: Which role in software engineering is the best for average person?

#19

Post by throwaway1183 »

Exuma wrote: post #15
throwaway1183 wrote: post #8

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Yeah, totally. At least I would try to communicate on important decisions. However, I have zero interest in making decisions, making presentation, trying to prove things or any of that. All I want is a task that is achievable in given allocated time and fits my skill level. I have given up on hopes of learning. There is no such thing as learning after highschool. It's always one thing after another. College is chasin…

Talk about a loser mentality. Stay far away from my companies … barf

wow, what is wrong with being average and trying to enjoy life? I am pretty sure you have zero contribution to llvm, pytorch, react, vue, js, c, python, linux, or heck even the device you are typing. You also fall on same average category. If you had any idea, you would have written something about it.

The talent at top are polite enough to see the difference. Your arrogance reminds me of some egoist friend.

Re: Ask HN: Which role in software engineering is the best for average person?

#20

Post by throwaway1183 »

notsurenymore wrote: post #16

Enterprise software in a large non tech business. Being above average won’t really help you there as the bureaucracy will choke and discard your skills, but you can get away with being average and have a pretty chill job.

Thanks for letting me know!
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