Ask HN: Burned out 21 year old software developer, what's next? • Hacker News Board

Re: Ask HN: Burned out 21 year old software developer, what's next?

#21

Post by RealityNow » Thu, Oct 19, 2017, 4:55 AM UTC

Do what you enjoy, and don't be afraid to venture outside of software development. At the end of the day, not everyone obtains fulfillment out of staring at a computer screen all day fixing bugs and developing incremental features onto a piece of software. That's ok - we're human, not robots.

You're still young, so you can try something else (eg. product development) and easily go back to software development if you end up missing it. Or maybe there's another are within tech that'll interest you (eg. blockchain, AI/ML, game dev).

I will say one thing though - software development is probably the best job for money, work life balance, and ease of finding employment

Re: Ask HN: Burned out 21 year old software developer, what's next?

#22

Post by jacknews » Thu, Oct 19, 2017, 4:56 AM UTC

brad0 wrote: post #3

Take some time off. You should sit down and work out what you really value. The definition of burnout is when you force yourself to work on something that you don’t see the value in. When you know what you really value then make steps toward experiencing those values in your every day life. This doesn’t just go for work but every part of your life.

"force yourself to work on something that you don’t see the value in."

Not really, that sounds more like the definition of being an employee (without equity etc). Although I guess many employees find reward in the job itself and in the "progression" up the career ladder that business owners put in place.

I don't think it's merely a case of work-life balance. It's possible to sustain a nominally very skewed work-life balance if you enjoy the work and the people you work with, and you have a real stake in it (either equity, really building your own skills, saving the world, whatever).

But if you lose joy in the day to day work itself, and especially start to see through the "career-ladder" or "office-perks" BS then you will feel burnt out, whether you've been putting in 12+ hour days or not.

Re: Ask HN: Burned out 21 year old software developer, what's next?

#23

Post by funfunfunction » Thu, Oct 19, 2017, 4:56 AM UTC

senatorobama wrote: post #16

zghst wrote: post #13

I was in your position a few years ago. A year older than you, I left my job completely, moved to a new city (SF) and live a fantastic new life. What you need is to find your people, be among peers who you respect and feel good about what you do. The Bay Area is the place to be, if you're not there.

Wow. I also live in a city where tech is not popular. How many people here have found the same thing when moving to SF?

I live in Seattle but the people hear are all in institutional tech, Microsoft, Amazon, etc. Not too many truly innovate startups here either, mostly B2B. Was in The Bay recently and really liked it.

Re: Ask HN: Burned out 21 year old software developer, what's next?

#24

Post by funfunfunction » Thu, Oct 19, 2017, 4:57 AM UTC

javajosh wrote: post #14

Hey there. I'd like to make two suggestions: find a therapist, and go to a meditation retreat. As for the later, I can strongly recommend a 10-day Vipassana retreat - I believe the nearest center to you is in North Fork, CA. Check it out at dhamma.org. It won't be relaxing, but it will help you practice putting things down .

This looks amazing. I've been considering something like this but wasn't sure where to start. Thanks!

Re: Ask HN: Burned out 21 year old software developer, what's next?

#25

Post by PhilWright » Thu, Oct 19, 2017, 4:58 AM UTC

Sorry to sound negative, but welcome to the real world. The vast majority of people are doing jobs they really do not want to do. Imagine what it feels like to be work on a production line for a 12 hour shift in China. Or getting up everyday to pack the shelves at Walmart. At some point in the next 40 years of your working life you will have times when your are doing something you don't enjoy, or that causes you stress or where you suffer from burn out. Don't panic, as this is normal. Typically you solve this by doing one of the following...

1 - Just work your way through it, it will pass.

2 - Switch to another project in the company.

3 - Switch to another company.

4 - Take time off.

Re: Ask HN: Burned out 21 year old software developer, what's next?

#26

Post by funfunfunction » Thu, Oct 19, 2017, 5:00 AM UTC

brad0 wrote: post #11

ChristianGeek wrote: post #6

Earlier quoted context omitted.

That’s not the definition of burnout, that’s just being uninspired. Burnout is a combination of cynicism, depression, and lethargy that can come from failing to maintain a healthy life/work balance. (I’ve experienced burnout at a job I loved.)

Can you go into more detail on your experience with burnout? I’d like to understand how it came about for you.

I don't have time right now but I've been thinking about writing it all down once I've had a chance to reset. I'll post it in here if you're interested.

Re: Ask HN: Burned out 21 year old software developer, what's next?

#27

Post by funfunfunction » Thu, Oct 19, 2017, 5:01 AM UTC

throthro wrote: post #20

cohenaa wrote: post #10

Earlier quoted context omitted.

This is absolutely wrong, you can definitely apply to any college you want at any age you want, I went to an Ivy League school and had classmates that were in their mid 20s/30s. I agree that going to college is absolutely the right advice -- but since you already have technical skills, I would study something other than CS, depending on your interests. You have the skills, and the breadth of a more diverse education…

Programming skills is not the same as CS degree

A CS degree is not real software engineering experience (;

Re: Ask HN: Burned out 21 year old software developer, what's next?

#28

Post by vacri » Thu, Oct 19, 2017, 5:04 AM UTC

#1: Realise that work is the way of the world. You'll need to get used to it. If you're burnt out after only 18 months at a job (and it's not the fault of a bad job etc), that's a problem you're going to have to solve at some point, because you have decades of work ahead of you.

#2: But you don't have to solve it now. Go travelling while you're young, healthy, and presumably have few significant commitments. It's not guaranteed, but you'll likely get more insight into what you want to do next while travelling as well.

Re: Ask HN: Burned out 21 year old software developer, what's next?

#29

Post by amorphid » Thu, Oct 19, 2017, 5:14 AM UTC

speedplane wrote: post #15

College college college college. Your 20s are when you figure out what you want to do. College is expensive but a great way to dabble in tons of stuff, socialize, and get ready for the next step. Being 21 isn't too late, plenty of people go to college at 21-22 after stints in the military. You'll be popular as you'll be able to buy your friends beer (legal disclaimer: don't do that).

College is a huge waste of money for someone who doesn't value it. Debt sucks.

Re: Ask HN: Burned out 21 year old software developer, what's next?

#30

Post by funfunfunction » Thu, Oct 19, 2017, 5:15 AM UTC

amorphid wrote: post #29

speedplane wrote: post #15

College college college college. Your 20s are when you figure out what you want to do. College is expensive but a great way to dabble in tons of stuff, socialize, and get ready for the next step. Being 21 isn't too late, plenty of people go to college at 21-22 after stints in the military. You'll be popular as you'll be able to buy your friends beer (legal disclaimer: don't do that).

College is a huge waste of money for someone who doesn't value it. Debt sucks.

This was my original thinking though I've come to realize that college is about much much more than education in the formal sense.