Ask HN: How did you like your job in 2017? • Hacker News Board

Re: Ask HN: How did you like your job in 2017?

#41

Post by api_or_ipa » Thu, Jan 04, 2018, 6:57 AM UTC

8/10

Improved my code quality by becoming more aware of code style and becoming more nuanced in the approaches I take when solving problems. Enjoyed getting back into Python work, but async programming in python is still somewhat awkward.

I'm alarmingly bittersweet about living in the Bay Area and not living closer to home. On one hand, I miss seeing my large and wonderfully close family and friends at home; on the other, the Bay Area weather is wonderfully mild and always sunny, and of course, salaries are better here. So I've wrestled with re-calculating the costs of where to live.

Re: Ask HN: How did you like your job in 2017?

#42

Post by drakonka » Thu, Jan 04, 2018, 7:10 AM UTC

7.5/10

It was very interesting, and I shipped another game. I was in a fairly new position and fought a bit with impostor syndrome at first, but got to learn a lot and contributed quite a bit back to the engine. Just as I was feeling pretty competent and settled into the role I was moved to a position with more responsibilities, so now I have to adjust all over again. I guess it is good not to be entirely comfortable and keep pushing yourself, it just means a little more stress to deal with. I think it'll be fine though; I am used to working on things that feel challenging and push me to learn and develop more.

Re: Ask HN: How did you like your job in 2017?

#43

Post by zapperdapper » Thu, Jan 04, 2018, 1:19 PM UTC

aennyta wrote: post #4

duiker101 wrote: post #3

I really enjoyed it. My first year fully remote. It's been quite the change and while I will leave this job at the end of the month I think it's been a great experience.

Congrats on your first year fully remote! I was thinking of switching remote as well. Did you encounter any challenges that you normally wouldn't have? If I may ask, why are you leaving it?

Many years of remote work under my belt.

There are two big advantages:

1) You don't have to commute (unless you want to - you can work at a co-working space)

2) You can travel around and still have a salary. I've worked from places like an apartment in Bangkok, a beach hut on an island in Malaysia, as well as a cottage in the heart of the English countryside.

But that's about it. It's still work. You still put in your eight hours plus a day. You still have to put up with shit. You still have to work on those things you'd rather not.

If you don't really enjoy the work, then remote working won't make up for that.

I would say give it a go though - it's the sort of thing that you need to try to see how it works out for you.

Re: Ask HN: How did you like your job in 2017?

#44

Post by zapperdapper » Thu, Jan 04, 2018, 1:30 PM UTC

twayamznacct wrote: post #34

steve_adams_86 wrote: post #33

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Is it really disappointing to get hired at one of these places so many people admire and desire, only to find it's nothing special at all? Or is the problem something else? I've wondered about that. My job isn't spectacular, it's pretty good. I used to want to strive for a spot in a bigger/high impact/significant company like Amazon or Apple for example, but eventually came to realize I'd probably never do anything i…

For me, at least, the problem is something else. I never expected it to be "special" at any of these places...I'd likely be exactly this unhappy doing the same meaningless work I'm doing here, elsewhere. I just took the jobs because they paid well and, at least at the beginning, I was going to be doing things that were of reasonable interest. I tried the "take time off route" once, and while it was alright, I was con…

I would talk to someone directly. You sound very unhappy.

I wasn't quite clear if the problem was the work or the company? It's something that needs to be dived into and had a good look at because there could be imbalance in your life leading to depression. So you need to look at things like diet, sleep, exercise, relationship etc. It's possible you need to rebalance - it's possible you need a new career. A career break should never be a hindrance to a new job, and should often be a selling point, as long as you've used that time sensibly.

So in short, talk to a career coach or counsellor. Try and get some more face to face help. You say you work for a big company - they often have help lines for employees run by third parties - use it!

Re: Ask HN: How did you like your job in 2017?

#45

Post by aennyta » Thu, Jan 04, 2018, 5:58 PM UTC

SirLJ wrote: post #35

aennyta wrote: post #23

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Wow, must be a great job:) I always get surprised when I see someone at the same company for 10+ years in IT.

Yep, leading a good team in sysadmin/security space for a large corporation and love every minute of it, also working from home is a great benefit, maybe too great...

Ah, working from home is a great thing, it is a shame more companies are not open to it. Keep up the good work!

Re: Ask HN: How did you like your job in 2017?

#46

Post by aennyta » Thu, Jan 04, 2018, 6:01 PM UTC

api_or_ipa wrote: post #41

8/10 Improved my code quality by becoming more aware of code style and becoming more nuanced in the approaches I take when solving problems. Enjoyed getting back into Python work, but async programming in python is still somewhat awkward. I'm alarmingly bittersweet about living in the Bay Area and not living closer to home. On one hand, I miss seeing my large and wonderfully close family and friends at home; on the o…

Improving coding skills is a lifetime work :) Does Bay Area work out for you? I heard salaries are high, but so are life expenses.

Re: Ask HN: How did you like your job in 2017?

#47

Post by aennyta » Thu, Jan 04, 2018, 6:02 PM UTC

drakonka wrote: post #42

7.5/10 It was very interesting, and I shipped another game. I was in a fairly new position and fought a bit with impostor syndrome at first, but got to learn a lot and contributed quite a bit back to the engine. Just as I was feeling pretty competent and settled into the role I was moved to a position with more responsibilities, so now I have to adjust all over again. I guess it is good not to be entirely comfortable…

I hear you, getting comfortable at job sometimes means you might get bored too quickly :) Depends on the person really, wish you best of luck!

Re: Ask HN: How did you like your job in 2017?

#48

Post by aennyta » Thu, Jan 04, 2018, 6:06 PM UTC

dacracot wrote: post #26

I've 34 years of experience in software engineering. Since about 1986, I have been either hired as the team lead or eventually been appointed the team lead at each of the six employers that I have worked for. Due to circumstances beyond my control, I am once again starting over as a team member in a new group. I wasn't given much choice in the matter as my attempt to apply to an open position that I thought had poten…

Might be the time to move on? Sometimes waiting pays off, but not if it takes long time and makes you so unhappy.

Re: Ask HN: How did you like your job in 2017?

#49

Post by aennyta » Thu, Jan 04, 2018, 6:08 PM UTC

HeyLaughingBoy wrote: post #17

mod wrote: post #14

6/10 It's not the job's fault. Good atmosphere, coworkers, and immediate management. I just want to be doing my own thing. We have had a lot of turnover, though. Perhaps it's not as good for others. Edit: I think the job deserves 8 or 9/10, it's my own attitude affecting how I answer the question as-posed.

Yeah, I know that feeling. I've concluded that I'm simply not a very good employee. Don't get me wrong, I perform! And they've let me make a lot of changes that fix many of the problems they've had. But my mind's always on my side jobs and how fast I can grow them into a business that can support us full-time. The inefficiencies at a mature business just bug me so much.

Keep up the side work and hope something works! Best of luck.

Re: Ask HN: How did you like your job in 2017?

#50

Post by aennyta » Thu, Jan 04, 2018, 6:28 PM UTC

twayamznacct wrote: post #34

steve_adams_86 wrote: post #33

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Is it really disappointing to get hired at one of these places so many people admire and desire, only to find it's nothing special at all? Or is the problem something else? I've wondered about that. My job isn't spectacular, it's pretty good. I used to want to strive for a spot in a bigger/high impact/significant company like Amazon or Apple for example, but eventually came to realize I'd probably never do anything i…

For me, at least, the problem is something else. I never expected it to be "special" at any of these places...I'd likely be exactly this unhappy doing the same meaningless work I'm doing here, elsewhere. I just took the jobs because they paid well and, at least at the beginning, I was going to be doing things that were of reasonable interest. I tried the "take time off route" once, and while it was alright, I was con…

I am really sorry to hear that. I can't say I have been there, but I was going down that line and so I took a career break. I didn't even feel I need it, but once I was on the break and stepped back from everything, I realised how bad the situation was before.

Since career break didn't work out for you, I really strongly suggest talking to a professional. I would start with company's HR and counsellor (they often have them in "big 5") and ask for some time off for medical reasons. Personal well-being is the most important thing. Being on autopilot and feeling miserable might lead to even worse things, so please step back and talk to someone in person.