Get hired someplace for $50k as a junior that doesn't whiteboard. Apply again as a senior for $100k+ in a few years. Long game.
Ask HN: Got a CS degree, but I’m unable to be programmer. What can I do?
71–80 of 324 posts
Re: Ask HN: Got a CS degree, but I’m unable to be programmer. What can I do?
#72Why don't you think being a programmer is for you?
Re: Ask HN: Got a CS degree, but I’m unable to be programmer. What can I do?
#73If you go into government / research (like I did at the start of my career), they only judge you based on your interview and education (NO whiteboard questions, easiest interview you've ever had), though the salary will be 30% less than industry. The U.S. National Labs are a superb work environment. If you manage to get an entry-level job somewhere like that, they will often pay for you to then get a PhD/MS/etc.
Re: Ask HN: Got a CS degree, but I’m unable to be programmer. What can I do?
#74There are plenty of opportunities outside of coding. Consider technical sales, consulting, software support, technical writing, UX/design, project management, just to name a few. A CS degree is now a foundational degree that can serve as the starting point for many career paths. Don't stress.
I'll second this suggestion. It's exactly what came to mind when I read OP's post. I would also add to this list: testing/quality assurance, and information technology. Since you successfully completed a CS degree, you obviously have the capacity to exercise skills in this field. Ask yourself if there are parts of CS (or a related field) that you enjoy more than software development -- and pursue those interests.
Re: Ask HN: Got a CS degree, but I’m unable to be programmer. What can I do?
#75Get a therapist to deal with the anxiety. There are plenty of nondev jobs for things where you use your tech background with no programming like program manager (tech planning for a project), project manager (organize the project), esp in big companies.
But I would suggest a therapist. Probably grad school to get more experience is not warranted until you know if you want to stay w cs, but something where you can get more confidence like an internship.
Re: Ask HN: Got a CS degree, but I’m unable to be programmer. What can I do?
#76My friend graduated from CS in Berkeley, but it was apparent when working with him that he was not really cut out for being a programmer. I suggested him to go for a PM interview with a large SV company and he got it, and now is doing really well. His other skills - communication, organization, strategy, research, and persistence, just work really well in the role he is in currently.
CS is a particular kind of smart that not everyone is. And you don't have to be smart in that way in order to be successful.
The CS degree is really valuable regardless of how difficult or frustrating you feel about doing CS. It's objectively one of the most valuable and versatile degrees out there. Non tech roles in the space (PM, design, BD, tech sales are all strong industries) are all very good roles that would love to see a CS degree.
I personally think of CS as "paying your dues". You suffer a bit and feel bad about yourself, but you've become an objectively more valuable person because of it, simply because you can program.
Re: Ask HN: Got a CS degree, but I’m unable to be programmer. What can I do?
#77Like many on this thread I think it's entirely possible you're not giving yourself enough credit.
I've been working as a software engineer at companies that don't ask riddles for about 8 years, and I've been on both sides of the technical interview many times. As the interview-ee, there's exactly one interview I actually left feeling like I'd nailed it, but several others from which I received offers, some of which turned into perfectly fine jobs. As the interview-er, I've learned that I'm looking for a multitude of factors, of which technical proficiency isn't even the most important. In other words, while there is a technical bar to pass, it's usually lower than the interviewee thinks it is.
I doubt we live in the same metro area, and even if we do my current employer is not hiring. I'd be happy to run a fake, no pressure ~20-30 minute phone-screen with you, and then offer feedback. jmkimmel at gmail
Re: Ask HN: Got a CS degree, but I’m unable to be programmer. What can I do?
#78It's been 3 years since I graduated and started working as a full-time software engineer, but I still struggle with leetcode problems. Even easy ones. My day to day work involves gluing together API's and not writing algorithmic code to solve tricky puzzles. Don't think that just because you can't solve leetcode problems you're not meant to be an engineer. And trust me, I feel your pain. I haven't written a binary se…
Your post came at a good time for me. I've been working as a programmer / engineer for the better part of two decades now. I'm self-taught, have plenty of code in production at several (small/medium) companies doing millions a year in business. I have recently started interviewing again, and it's exactly as you state it: 40-50 hours a week working, and another 20 or so on Leetcode. It's exhausting to put in all this work knowing that much of it is unlikely to be needed outside of the interview setting. A couple of the recruiters have even said as much (Literally that the interview prep material is unrelated to the day to day work for the position). Glad to see I'm not alone in this.
Re: Ask HN: Got a CS degree, but I’m unable to be programmer. What can I do?
#79I'm not sure I have all the answers you need, but I do have some suggestions. I've worked as a programmer for 6 years now in a number of different roles and found that the experience can be quite different in different places. Not all programming roles are the same. Some roles will be quite gast paced and stressful while others will not.
Also don't necessarily get discouraged if you have a bad experience in one place. My first programming job didn't work out and the manager told me I wasn't suitable for programming. However my next employer was very happy with my work (and the pay was better too).
If you are going to stick with development find a niche that suits you. For example, don't ignore legacy technology. Many companies still have legacy code bases written in Delphi and cobol.
There aren't as many developers on the market for these roles and it can be less competitive.
Also consider suplimenting your CS degree with other skills. Or consider roles that are not purely programming roles.
On the other hand if you want to leave programming there are still options for you. There's more to computer science than programing.
There are tech support roles, QA testing, penetration testing, DBA for example.
Re: Ask HN: Got a CS degree, but I’m unable to be programmer. What can I do?
#80There are always project management and product/program management roles. Having a CS background can be really advantageous without all the coding.
However, it sounds like you may be dealing with some mental health issues if you’re dealing with PTSD-like stress trying to do programming challenges. Please consider finding counseling at some point on your journey as this could be affecting more than just your enjoyment of programming