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Ask HN: Software engineer for 20 years what should I do next?

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Ask HN: Software engineer for 20 years what should I do next?

#1

Post by iamoverworked »

Ive been a web dev focused on all areas of the stack for 20 years. I'm currently leaving my role as VP of Engineering for a startup and I'm burned out. Look at my comment history. The job I'm leaving in 2 days did me in. They gave me a large sum of money to transition a new team on my way out.

I'm debt free, turning 40, and unsure what to do next. I want to avoid traditional work and concentrate on my own pursuits. I have put many years of effort into learning to build 2d and 3d games during my free time. I also enjoy drawing comics. I'm considering moving into content creation teamed up with my wife... maybe doing contract web dev work to avoid draining my savings.

I'd like to hear thoughts and suggestions for non traditional revenue streams / ways to live differently to make a more creation centric life for myself and my family. I really don't want to work for companies anymore if I can avoid it.

Re: Ask HN: Software engineer for 20 years what should I do next?

#2

Post by chovybizzass »

it's rough out there still for contractors. I quit my cush job at age 43, worked a few high paying short-term gigs. It was nice because I could make in 3 months what I normally would make in 6, but then the pandemic hit and it absolutely dried up. After a year of no offers, I finally got a fulltime offer for decent pay. I'm in the same boat. We're too old and too expensive now for web development.

I'm tired of being interviewed by kids who think React is how websites should be built and are half my age.

You were in leadership so I guess that took its toll on you. I'm a principal engineer now and so far I've just been improving the framework (vue) and optimizing performance.

I suspect that they will dump some huge feature on me soon and I'll be back to being a grunt.

I'm actually thinking of going back to school part time to become a financial advisor.

Re: Ask HN: Software engineer for 20 years what should I do next?

#6

Post by tornadofart »

Teaching was mentioned and is always great.

Or: You could build an app which does something useful for small businesses who can't afford and need full ERP systems.

Small businesses don't have a good process automation and stuff like "Scanning an document into a directory which triggers a python script which sends an email to someone" is a quick win.

There was a HN post about someone who built a simple invoicing app that she hosted on her own server, in the cloud or "on premise" on a raspberry pi. IIRC it was all open source and she made good money off of it.

To answer your question about creative content, the creative business is tough. It's kind of a winner-takes-all market. I am fairly creative myself and play a music instrument on semi pro level, but the competition is massive and some people have just godlike talent + years of skill honing and outshine everyone else. No one is going to buy your art if they can buy the art of someone who is doing the same thing as you but with better skills. And there's all the stuff about being dependent feom platforms such as youtube or steam who can cancel you or change revenue models... I wish you success, but I won't bet on it. It's about finding a niche and an audience and that takes years of eating the sh*t sandwich.

Re: Ask HN: Software engineer for 20 years what should I do next?

#7

Post by arkitaip »

tornadofart wrote: post #6

Teaching was mentioned and is always great. Or: You could build an app which does something useful for small businesses who can't afford and need full ERP systems. Small businesses don't have a good process automation and stuff like "Scanning an document into a directory which triggers a python script which sends an email to someone" is a quick win. There was a HN post about someone who built a simple invoicing app t…

The problem is that small businesses that are ready to invest in any custom IT are very few and far between. People will literally spend hours every day doing menaial data processing instead of paying 50 dollars for an app that does the same work in minutes. You really need to focus on the sales aspect of the business and establish a very efficient lead pipeline, preferably one where you get recurring income from subscribers.

Re: Ask HN: Software engineer for 20 years what should I do next?

#8

Post by tornadofart »

arkitaip wrote: post #7
tornadofart wrote: post #6

Teaching was mentioned and is always great. Or: You could build an app which does something useful for small businesses who can't afford and need full ERP systems. Small businesses don't have a good process automation and stuff like "Scanning an document into a directory which triggers a python script which sends an email to someone" is a quick win. There was a HN post about someone who built a simple invoicing app t…

The problem is that small businesses that are ready to invest in any custom IT are very few and far between. People will literally spend hours every day doing menaial data processing instead of paying 50 dollars for an app that does the same work in minutes. You really need to focus on the sales aspect of the business and establish a very efficient lead pipeline, preferably one where you get recurring income from sub…

You won't be welcomed everywhere with open arms, sure.

Though I do know a few independent contractors who cater to small businesses and are doing fine, that's why I suggested the idea.

Re: Ask HN: Software engineer for 20 years what should I do next?

#9

Post by edimaudo »

Definitely get some rest and therapy before moving to a new venture.

For the next step it might be worth doing contract web dev as well as turning some of your comics into a product which can be sold on places like gumroad.

You could also start a youtube channel focused on your experience and tackle different niches in web development.

Re: Ask HN: Software engineer for 20 years what should I do next?

#10

Post by quickthrower2 »

Consider what I am considering: selling stuff on eBay / Amazon / shopify. If I am successful it’s bye bye to sprints, estimation and head scratching through legacy code and also needing to live in a city with the associated expense when there are cheap places to live with beaches!
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