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Ask HN: How can I get a tech job that's more social?

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Re: Ask HN: How can I get a tech job that's more social?

#21

Post by spookthesunset »

baron_harkonnen wrote: post #18

I would recommend looking into decoupling your social needs from your job. Even in the time before wide spread WFH this was an issue, during good times it feels great to go into work and get all your social needs met but when layoffs come or companies collapse suddenly that great work friend everyone loves gets let go and in a few more weeks they effectively don't exist anymore. It's great if you can meet people at w…

That nice but doesn’t answer the question. WFH for a lot of people sucks. Especially roles that aren’t right software engineer. Many roles are very hard to do remote (product, UX, etc)

I can’t wait to return to our offices and go back to normal. WFH works for some people and some projects but not all.

Plus being around people that aren’t your family is nice too.

Re: Ask HN: How can I get a tech job that's more social?

#22

Post by spookthesunset »

lostcolony wrote: post #15
dymk wrote: post #8

Find a local club for a hobby you enjoy. Take an art class at a local community college.

Agreed. Look elsewhere, for people with shared interests. Don't tie your social circle to work. It makes it harder to leave the job and allows the company to take greater advantage of you.

That is a pretty cynical take. I work 40 hours a week. Doing it at home is lonely.

Re: Ask HN: How can I get a tech job that's more social?

#24

Post by spookthesunset »

browningstreet wrote: post #10

Why are you WFH? A lot of companies are asking people to come back into the office.. what about one of those orgs?

Ours shut down again despite almost the entire company being vaccinated. “It’s not safe”.

People have completely lost their mind (plus there are some very loud voices that are using this thing to push their WFH agenda)

Re: Ask HN: How can I get a tech job that's more social?

#25

Post by syndacks »

Hey, thanks for asking this question. I feel the same way. However, I think you've already answered your question, (and I have too) which is -- it's the pandemic, not the job. Your pre-pandemic SWE job had enough socialization in it to satisfy you. My best advice would be to either continue waiting until things get back to normal, or, start applying for jobs that require 3-5 days a week in the office.

Re: Ask HN: How can I get a tech job that's more social?

#26

Post by jasode »

dymk wrote: post #8

Find a local club for a hobby you enjoy. Take an art class at a local community college.

>Find a local club for a hobby you enjoy. Take an art class at a local community college.

Based on the specific words (e.g. "pair programming") the op used in his question, I think he's looking for the work itself to be more social during work hours.

Therefore, suggesting an art class or joining a club outside of work is answering a different question.

Re: Ask HN: How can I get a tech job that's more social?

#27

Post by LindyTalker »

baron_harkonnen wrote: post #18

I would recommend looking into decoupling your social needs from your job. Even in the time before wide spread WFH this was an issue, during good times it feels great to go into work and get all your social needs met but when layoffs come or companies collapse suddenly that great work friend everyone loves gets let go and in a few more weeks they effectively don't exist anymore. It's great if you can meet people at w…

Tone deaf. There's still ~6 hours a day of just sitting in a room alone. Glad you've found success in life but this might not be for others

Re: Ask HN: How can I get a tech job that's more social?

#28

Post by ramesh31 »

Maybe look for that kind of interaction more in your normal life. Moving to WFH during covid made me realize for the first time that I had wasted my entire life investing all of my energy into the workplace. There's a lot more to life than your career. And working remotely is an unbelievable privilege that most people don't get. Take advantage of it.

Re: Ask HN: How can I get a tech job that's more social?

#29

Post by red_hare »

spookthesunset wrote: post #22
lostcolony wrote: post #15

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Agreed. Look elsewhere, for people with shared interests. Don't tie your social circle to work. It makes it harder to leave the job and allows the company to take greater advantage of you.

That is a pretty cynical take. I work 40 hours a week. Doing it at home is lonely.

I agree. This is like when someone says "don't do work you enjoy, just have hobbies".

That works for some people, but I prefer to spend my 40 hours doing work I enjoy with people I enjoy being around.

Re: Ask HN: How can I get a tech job that's more social?

#30

Post by dymk »

jasode wrote: post #26
dymk wrote: post #8

Find a local club for a hobby you enjoy. Take an art class at a local community college.

>Find a local club for a hobby you enjoy. Take an art class at a local community college. Based on the specific words (e.g. "pair programming") the op used in his question, I think he's looking for the work itself to be more social during work hours. Therefore, suggesting an art class or joining a club outside of work is answering a different question.

I think this is an example of the X-Y problem :)

OP wants more socialization - I think it's good to think outside the box a bit, especially for us programmers who tend to let programming and work absorb their lives.

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