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Ask HN: Tired of being a software engineer, what next?

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Re: Ask HN: Tired of being a software engineer, what next?

#21

Post by Verissimus »

I am in the same boat. 43 with wife and kids depending on my income but I honestly hate what I do. I am currently trying to focus instead of on my work but on myself. I have gotten deep into philosophy and ethics in particular. I will probably try to write a book or do a podcast at some point but I may just stay the course and enjoy having a not monetized hobby.

Re: Ask HN: Tired of being a software engineer, what next?

#23

Post by sidlls »

lupire wrote: post #15

Work on your marriage. Stop pining for being 20something again; stop believing company PR. You won a golden ticket; don't burn it.

This is a bit odd. I have completely turned my life around in my mid-40s by "pining" (well, actually acting on urges) for my 20-somethings again. I was helped immensely by some extremely good luck in a choice of company to work for that went public and netted me millions. But I took some agency, distanced myself from individuals and companies I thought were not aligned with my desires and needs, and am all the better for it.

More 40-somethings should have a little reversion, if you ask me. Society's ageist nonsense is psychologically--and physically, ultimately--harmful.

Re: Ask HN: Tired of being a software engineer, what next?

#25

Post by MuffinFlavored »

I do not think many jobs will pay you $100k-$300k/yr with work from home.

> And you know what? It sucks. I could go into great depth why it sucks. But suffice to say, my expectations were sorely disappointed.

Working for FANG sucks. Go work somewhere else. Take a paycut settling for a different company.

Re: Ask HN: Tired of being a software engineer, what next?

#27

Post by gabereiser »

sidlls wrote: post #23
lupire wrote: post #15

Work on your marriage. Stop pining for being 20something again; stop believing company PR. You won a golden ticket; don't burn it.

This is a bit odd. I have completely turned my life around in my mid-40s by "pining" (well, actually acting on urges) for my 20-somethings again. I was helped immensely by some extremely good luck in a choice of company to work for that went public and netted me millions. But I took some agency, distanced myself from individuals and companies I thought were not aligned with my desires and needs, and am all the better…

Exactly, there's no reason someone in their 60s couldn't also be as productive as someone in their 20s on technology that's only 6 years old to both of them.

Re: Ask HN: Tired of being a software engineer, what next?

#30

Post by pengaru »

> I kind of feel I have wasted my time/life on this career.

Software development has squandered the brightest minds on pointless work for decades. Your feelings are not wrong IMO.

Even back in the 40s this threat to Real Work posed by the computer's infinite ability to steal time from bright minds was basically already identified:

  > It's a very serious disease and it interferes completely with the work. The
  > trouble with computers is you play with them. They are so wonderful. You have
  > these switches--if it's an even number you do this, if it's an odd number you
  > do that--and pretty soon you can do more and more elaborate things if you are
  > clever enough, on one machine.... If you've ever worked with computers you
  > understand the disease-the delight in being able to see how much you can do.
  >
  > - Richard P. Feynman
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