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I've walked away from software development

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Re: I've walked away from software development

#191

Post by burntoutfire »

tacheiordache wrote: post #186

I find it funny how this post has so many comments and points yet it is quickly sliding out from rankings. Is this whole subject supposed to be kept secret by the industry? Is YC being an accomplice to this?

It's actually in line with PG's writing. He had an essay where he wrote that, for smart independent people, jobs are not the answer (and startups may be). However, now he's holding stock in so many companies who need to hire those smart and independent suckers, so that his own writing may be backfiring on him.

Re: I've walked away from software development

#192

Post by [deleted] »

burntoutfire wrote: post #191
tacheiordache wrote: post #186

I find it funny how this post has so many comments and points yet it is quickly sliding out from rankings. Is this whole subject supposed to be kept secret by the industry? Is YC being an accomplice to this?

It's actually in line with PG's writing. He had an essay where he wrote that, for smart independent people, jobs are not the answer (and startups may be). However, now he's holding stock in so many companies who need to hire those smart and independent suckers, so that his own writing may be backfiring on him.

[deleted]

Re: I've walked away from software development

#193

Post by TravHatesMe »

treis wrote: post #188
TravHatesMe wrote: post #149

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> This is why they're not burned out. So your solution is to just not give a shit like everyone else? The reason that I've become so good at my craft is by giving a shit. The reason that my projects always succeed is because I give a shit. Not giving a shit puts a ceiling on your career as a developer. Not giving a shit will prevent you from learning. The irony in my situation is that I am investing in myself by doin…

>So your solution is to just not give a shit like everyone else I'd say give a sustainable amount of shit directed at tasks rewarded by management. You shouldn't see your coworkers as different from you. They're just further along the path to enlightenment. The ending points of this path are effectively: (1) Finding work that you're passionate about and pays (2) Finding work that allows you to do something you're pas…

Interesting take. I appreciate the perspective. Maybe I just need a new work environment. I miss working with smart, driven people. Thanks for your thoughts, this is therapy for me.

Re: I've walked away from software development

#194

Post by TravHatesMe »

jokethrowaway wrote: post #164
TravHatesMe wrote: post #149

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> This is why they're not burned out. So your solution is to just not give a shit like everyone else? The reason that I've become so good at my craft is by giving a shit. The reason that my projects always succeed is because I give a shit. Not giving a shit puts a ceiling on your career as a developer. Not giving a shit will prevent you from learning. The irony in my situation is that I am investing in myself by doin…

You're not reaping a lot of the benefits of your hard work. I think employee life will always be a source of anger for passionate people like you. Have you considered finding business partners and starting your own company?

That's always been on my mind but the stars haven't aligned. Perhaps in the future, when the right opportunity arises.

Re: I've walked away from software development

#195

Post by scruple »

cylon13 wrote: post #130
giantg2 wrote: post #64

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Not really handcuffs. You make a ton of money and move to a lower cost area to work on whatever you want. Financial independence removes way more restrictions than actually requiring a paycheck to live. Even if you stay at the company, just knowing that you have the money to say screw it and do what you want is empowering - Oh, you're going to fire me if I don't do xyz, go ahead because I don't need the job.

I'm pretty sure ageism in tech boils down to this point. People who have been in the industry longer have better nest eggs and can simply leave at any point, so they won't crunch for you.

I recently asked an interviewer (on the 4th and final stage of their ~~gatekeeping~~ interview process during my very last interview when I got to the final boss of this dumb ass game -- the Senior Staff Software Engineer of the team I was interviewing with) if they "did" crunch. His face contorted a bit, it was obvious that I had hit on something. He said yes, frequently, in fact, and that they are "very busy" and "have crunch periods" typically in Q1 and Q4 of _each year_.

I asked him if there were planning process improvements that could be made to reduce the necessity of crunch periods. He sighed at me, turned his head to look out the window next to him, and then gave me a few sentences of tangentially related anecdotes about their planning process and why it's "hard" "because of customers."

It was already clear to me that I didn't want the job if they made me an offer at this point. Thankfully they saved me from having to say so. The recruiter called me a week later to say, "We've decided to move forward with other candidates who we feel are a better match for this particular position."

All I can think to myself at this point is, "I'm too old for this shit."

Re: I've walked away from software development

#196

Post by drinchev »

ryandvm wrote: post #48

I think all of us 40+ folks are in the same place. When we first started we didn't mind the bullshit so much because we were too dumb to realize how much there was. Then we got older and, yeah, it's ridiculous, but we were pretty decent at surfing the bullshit waves so we still didn't mind so much. Now you're in your 40s and the real obligations of life have started piling up. You've gone from 7 hours of free time a…

34 and I feel pretty happy freelancing. Freelance IMO is closer to real life for most of the devs I’ve talked to. You are not committed to bullshit, often excluded from company brainwash meetings and actually getting paid by the hour, so you can manage the amount of “life you sell”.

Mentioning corona here, I think the society is desperate to find more IT folks around and loosing someone because of shitty interview process ( which I mostly skip because I’m a freelancer ) is quite sad.

Re: I've walked away from software development

#198

Post by dm319 »

larrymyers wrote: post #5

It's interesting that the OP on reddit is describing normal company politics. It exists at every company I've ever worked at, and will exist anywhere there is money, power, and status at stake in the decision making process. My suggestion is to find a company where you can accept and work within that company's dysfunction, and stay put as long as you have a positive career path there. Every company is dysfunctional i…

It exists in varying amounts in different companies and departments. I don't work in tech, but I know there are some departments where I simply will not work because I would become miserable. There are other departments that have a lot of positive traits, that work well as a team and have good communication. Sure there can still be the odd bit of politics and dysfunction, but that is not the norm and it is not in excess either.

Re: I've walked away from software development

#199

Post by cvhashim »

brundolf wrote: post #129
caeril wrote: post #113

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> Startups become large companies over time, if they don't fail. Picking nits, here, but this isn't true. My personal (multiple) anecdata is that a very good number of startups neither fail nor become large - rather, they become stable small businesses.

Seconding this. I've only ever worked at "stable small businesses" and I recommend them as (broadly) the least-toxic category. Few enough people that you get treated like a human, you can have human discussions and bring up human issues, you can build human relationships. But you also don't have the immense pressure of VC breathing down your neck, of growth-at-all-costs, etc.

I’ve also heard these types of small (10-50 people, maybe more) companies referred to as lifestyle businesses.

Re: I've walked away from software development

#200

Post by pavel_lishin »

giantg2 wrote: post #183
pavel_lishin wrote: post #178

Earlier quoted context omitted.

It doesn't seem like your job is your primary problem, tbh. You should consider couples' counseling. Or even just seeing a therapist solo.

With financial independence the other problems would no longer be issues.

You can't buy your way out of relationship problems unless you count hiring a divorce lawyer.
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