My most recent job at the Canon Innovation Lab in Kitchener made me the happiest because of the people I worked with. Incredibly dedicated team that were great to be around and working with University of Waterloo students kept me young at heart.
Ask HN: At what company were you happiest and why?
21–30 of 113 posts
Re: Ask HN: At what company were you happiest and why?
#22My work at a coding bootcamp. I found that I find teaching about programming a lot more enjoyable than actual programming. The reason for that is:
1. Much more interaction with people
2. If I didn't sleep too well on a particular day I can still teach but with programming I'm not productive enough
3. Deadlines and pacing is easier
4. Much more free time when students are doing an exercise or don't need you that much anymore (after 2 months)
Re: Ask HN: At what company were you happiest and why?
#23Earlier quoted context omitted.
I thought the question was about happiness?
Wasn't there a study published recently showing that money really does buy happiness, up to a certain point of diminishing returns?
The one I recall being referenced is from Angus Deaton and Daniel Kahneman (of Thinking Fast and Slow fame):
http://www.gallup.com/businessjournal/150671/Happiness-Is-Lo...
Re: Ask HN: At what company were you happiest and why?
#24My current company - Formlabs. I get to build really good hardware (3D printers), working with ~seven different engineering disciplines. Smart people, high levels of autonomy, and very little politics. People are there to build great stuff.
If you don't mind my asking, what field are you in? I've been fascinated with 3d printing for a while(built my own printer etc) but haven't quite found the right place to apply and you are certainly selling the formlabs experience!
Re: Ask HN: At what company were you happiest and why?
#25Autonomy, relationships and mastery. Its never about the company or the work. You'll be happy if you have a boss who trusts you completely and colleagues that aren't a-holes. If you have this you will find the work thats interesting.
Amen. I'm on my third job move in the last 6 yrs to try and harness this elusive situation. Hope I've found it this time.
Re: Ask HN: At what company were you happiest and why?
#26My work at a coding bootcamp. I found that I find teaching about programming a lot more enjoyable than actual programming. The reason for that is: 1. Much more interaction with people 2. If I didn't sleep too well on a particular day I can still teach but with programming I'm not productive enough 3. Deadlines and pacing is easier 4. Much more free time when students are doing an exercise or don't need you that much…
How was the pay, relative to what you could have got coding fulltime?
Re: Ask HN: At what company were you happiest and why?
#27My first job where all I was expected to do was empty the bins, sweep, vacuum and mop. Once all of that was done, I was allowed to do whatever I wanted which meant I learnt a heap from the techs and started doing billable work.
I learnt a heap from working there and went back after a particularly bad stint at another workplace as a tech.
All they ended up caring about was if I was billing out enough to cover all the extra time I was staying at work doing tech stuff, and still managing to keep the place clean.
Re: Ask HN: At what company were you happiest and why?
#28Stratum Security was my best experience to date. They're very welcoming and provided a lot of guidance. I became a better programmer after working with them. And the way I was let go after the project ended, with a glowing LinkedIn recommendation and a bonus MacBook Pro... beats words.
Re: Ask HN: At what company were you happiest and why?
#29Apple was the most rewarding in many ways, but I was happier working retail at Nestor's sporting goods in Quakertown, PA. I was young and full of vigor, we went camping together many nights after work, rode bicycles together every Sunday, and all was well in the world (year: 2000).
Re: Ask HN: At what company were you happiest and why?
#30Not working at all is my happiest. I don't like working for money. It's always a compromise. Working for fun is something different.