Ask HN: Career change at 22

Hard to tell what you should too. It looks like you just want to try out different things. And do it relatively quickly (a few years is quick for this kind of change).

Switching into software development can be quick-ish if you have the mind for it. Switching into many other vocations OTOH can take a long time, especially medicine, depending on how far you want to go. So what you should ask yourself is do you love your current profession or not -- disregarding the current workplace.

The negative remarks you make about being on the job are all on you to change. If the current workplace seems bad then get a new one -- there are plenty of better ones, you just need to find one. If how people code around you looks hackish then again find a better job. Not socializing enough? Do more of it deliberately! Almost exclusively staring at a screen from 8-5 is a mistake quite a few of us (including me) make. If you don't connect with those around you then you already know what to do :)

On the other hand, if you are adventurous and you really enjoy medicine then now would be a pretty good age to switch. It's probably not that hard to come back if you reconsider. You could also find something interdisciplinary if you like both, and if you're lucky. But remember, luck is achieved by hard work! No joke.

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You know, rereading what you said, you might just be unhappy with your current job. Start applying to new ones. Interviews are always fun, you get to tell people about yourself over and over again, and might get a clearer perspective of yourself. Also, don't just be applying, but use the conversations to ask for advice. You'll be surprised on what you'll find. You're not alone in wanting something better.

My advice would be to get out of web dev and finish your CS degree. Cobbling websites together is a nice and easy way to get some money during school and college, but chasing the latest hype is tiresome. Get a wider perspective of software development.

Try some systems programming with Rust or C++.

Try embedded/close to hardware stuff. Work with FPGAs, Arduinos, Raspberry PIs.

Try mind-bending languages like Haskell, Erlang, Smalltalk, Prolog.

If you are strong with theory, try verified software with theorem provers (Coq, Isabelle). I believe it finally might be the right time to build a career on this, since first products are available (SeL4, CompCert).

Try to contribute to some mid-size or large Open Source project. Building software is a team effort.

A goal could be to get into Google/Facebook/Apple/Intel/IBM/Microsoft. If you do software development there, the work is much more social. If you want development to be mature and traditional, build software that goes into planes, cars, dams, space shuttles, factories, banks.

I'd recommend you find a new company and product to work on. This sounds more like burnout and less like a problem with software. I've done windows, web, iOS, and now game programming. They are all different and it's quite fun to broaden your understanding of computer science. It's also amazing to try to apply yourself to new problems and new products. In short, there's always something new to learn, and if you're having trouble believing that, then it's time to change places!

At the same time I want to specifically react to your two points because I think your perception isn't accurate:

1) In my opinion, there is nothing easy about programming. If people around you think it's easy, you should find somewhere harder to work. You aren't growing anymore!

2) And to second what others in HN have said, doctors have it really hard right now. The school alone takes 6+ years and saddles you with high financial debt. Then the work can be pretty rote -- much more than software.

Keep in mind even at a new job it will take 2+ months to stop feeling burnout. I hope you find what you're looking for!

Thank you, your reply kind of clarified my mind.