Here is my advice:
Email Derek Sivers. He's helped me in the past, though I didn't listen, deep down in my heart of hearts I know he is right.
Ask HN: Burned out 21 year old software developer, what's next?
41–50 of 118 posts
Re: Ask HN: Burned out 21 year old software developer, what's next?
#42Earlier quoted context omitted.
This was my original thinking though I've come to realize that college is about much much more than education in the formal sense.
I'm currently in college, what else is it about? (I'm genuinely curious) I'm studying mathematics (it's the only degree I could see being worth while in a purely intellectual and educational sense)
I've never been to college, but I guess I would say it seems like college is as much about figuring out what you want in life and finding people who can offer perspectives you may not have considered as it is getting an education. I grew up in small town and this sort of thing is attractive to me.
Re: Ask HN: Burned out 21 year old software developer, what's next?
#43Earlier quoted context omitted.
This was my original thinking though I've come to realize that college is about much much more than education in the formal sense.
I'm currently in college, what else is it about? (I'm genuinely curious) I'm studying mathematics (it's the only degree I could see being worth while in a purely intellectual and educational sense)
Consider that you're spending $X on college, when you could probably just as easily buy the text book (or not!) and do courses online for free. So what is it that you want to get out of college? If you don't know, why are you paying?
I'm not hiring, but I'd personally rather see someone who self taught themselves some specific discipline, and then used the money they would have spent on college to apply their knowledge to build something for themselves (whether that's taking knowledge of math and building an investment portfolio, or taking knowledge of software and building a business/app, etc.)
If I were you I'd just ask "am I getting what I want out of college?" and if not, change that. If you don't know what else it's about, observe, ask, research, ask people on HN, whatever.
Disclaimer: never went.
Re: Ask HN: Burned out 21 year old software developer, what's next?
#44It's possible to switch careers. Medicine was appealing to me.
Re: Ask HN: Burned out 21 year old software developer, what's next?
#45I'm not sure based on the description if this is a burnout. (When I think of burnout I think uncontrolled crying, physiological reactions etc.) If you have a real burnout you should seek professional assistance if that is an option.
If it is just a lack of motivation then things are a bit easier and I think you have at least two choices, maybe more:
1. (I've done this when I was just a few years older than you.) Accept that your current work is boring but otherwise OK. Do side projects. Build a portfolio.
2. (I've done this as well.) Or you can start applying for every job that looks interesting. Since you already have a job you have a great starting point.
3. (Not always an option.) Go back to school as others have mentioned.
Re: Ask HN: Burned out 21 year old software developer, what's next?
#46Here is my advice: Email Derek Sivers. He's helped me in the past, though I didn't listen, deep down in my heart of hearts I know he is right.
For the unenlightened, who is Derek Sivers and what does he do?
Re: Ask HN: Burned out 21 year old software developer, what's next?
#47Earlier quoted context omitted.
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.
Right. I also am a self taught programmer working in industry since straight after high school, although in my case it has been closer to 20 years.
This has never been a problem in terms of skills or employment and advancement. The only part I feel I missed out on is the networking aspect, and perhaps doing a minor subject, some language, literature or general studies unit or two would make one a more well-rounded person.
It's hard to justify the time and expense just for these benefits though.
Re: Ask HN: Burned out 21 year old software developer, what's next?
#48Travel. Also read some non-fiction and unplug from tech. Your a human, not an algorithm.
Love the non-fiction advice, I wish it had been a bigger push when I was in school. I didn't enjoy reading until I picked up non-fiction as an adult.
Re: Ask HN: Burned out 21 year old software developer, what's next?
#49Earlier quoted context omitted.
This was my original thinking though I've come to realize that college is about much much more than education in the formal sense.
Going through the motions of going to school is a waste of time if you don't take it seriously. One can "grow up" or "see the light" by doing committing to anything substantial and seeing it through, and there are much cheaper ways to accomplish that than going to college. For example, let's say one isn't sure about going to college. Instead of spending 4 years and a bajillion dollars to find out if college is right…
I saw your other comment about starting something of my own and thought that was good advice. As far as college goes, I definitely wouldn't go unless I was serious about it and social aspect is especially attractive. Most people I interact with are 15+ years older than me and it's getting a little boring. It's also hard to make friends when everyone your age is in college.
Re: Ask HN: Burned out 21 year old software developer, what's next?
#50Earlier quoted context omitted.
I'm currently in college, what else is it about? (I'm genuinely curious) I'm studying mathematics (it's the only degree I could see being worth while in a purely intellectual and educational sense)
I've never been to college, but I guess I would say it seems like college is as much about figuring out what you want in life and finding people who can offer perspectives you may not have considered as it is getting an education. I grew up in small town and this sort of thing is attractive to me.
As others have pointed out it's a very expensive place to figure out what you want in life. I feel like figuring out what you want in life is just a product of growing up and being open to different experiences. College is probably a very good bubble to experience a lot of things in a safe environment where room for error is high (and I don't mean not passing your courses). But you could probably replicate this in other ways for example in the work place, talking to a lot of people, etc,.