SF startups seem like a fucking nightmare. I live in a second-tier city and there's lots of six-figure, 9-5 software dev roles that are nowhere near as competitive. Consider relocating somewhere with a lower CoL and more sane culture?
Ask HN: Decided I no longer want to be a SWE – what next?
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Re: Ask HN: Decided I no longer want to be a SWE – what next?
#12All I can say is you are not alone. When I read this, almost all you say resonates with me - and there is no privacy, especially in startups. I learnt it the hard way too. Please don't think you are not good enough. The interviewing process is just ridiculous and illogical (for an industry that deals with logic all the time!). I don't have any answers - since I am also in the current state. And I also found out that…
You sound burnt out. If possible move back in with parents and family, take some time to rest and recoup. Things will seem a lot clearer once you take some time to reset
Re: Ask HN: Decided I no longer want to be a SWE – what next?
#13You could pivot into something related to tech that doesn't involve coding - sales, technical writing, etc.
Re: Ask HN: Decided I no longer want to be a SWE – what next?
#14I feel you. That’s not easy and you have every motive to be frustrated. Tech interviews nowdays are really strange, but also seems that you have burnout. Take a bit of therapy it helped me a lot
Re: Ask HN: Decided I no longer want to be a SWE – what next?
#15One thing that gets lost in spaces like this is that there are plenty of essentially non "tech" companies that have large technical aspects to their core business but still lie outside the realm of what would traditionally be considered a pure "tech" company, such as most tech startups would be. One area that immediately comes to mind from past experience is banking/finance/insurance and ecommerce. I don't think the roles or the paybands are as flashy, but they can be extraordinarily stable and more of a "normal" work experience than your typical 'up and coming' startup. I've only had one small startup experience so far and I would consider all my other roles at non-tech companies much more stable and enjoyable than that one was, which wanted me to sell my soul for a very speculative goal, for what now I would consider pennies for the effort spent.
Re: Ask HN: Decided I no longer want to be a SWE – what next?
#16Many SWEs suffer from imposter syndrome. If you have been in the industry for any length of time, you know plenty of tech people who have 'made it big'; so it is easy to feel inadequate if you haven't.
Some of those who are very successful are truly talented and deserve everything they got; but some were just lucky. It's not blind luck like winning the lottery, but rather being at the right place at the right time.
You may have much more talent than you give yourself credit for.
Re: Ask HN: Decided I no longer want to be a SWE – what next?
#17You could start a business. Not a startup and not necessarily even a software business, although your experience would make it easier to hire programmers. Understanding how the business end of the business works is valuable.
You could go into management.
You could do SW work in a non-technical field. Manufacturing is making a resurgence.
Re: Ask HN: Decided I no longer want to be a SWE – what next?
#18I mean, I would say least try working for a salaried programming job in a stable company. It's still an incredibly well paying career for the level of responsibility & seniority. I'm paid almost as much as an MP and I'm on the bottom rung of my company with virtually no responsibility.
I think if you go and get a "normal" job like being an electrician you'd be in for a shock about the level of work and relatively low pay compared to programming.
On the other hand, I wouldn't keep doing it if you hate it.
Re: Ask HN: Decided I no longer want to be a SWE – what next?
#19At 30, you're still young! If I was starting today, rather than an electrical engineering degree, I'd choose a trade: probably electrician, or plumber. I know a few kids working for themselves in these trades and they are in unceasing demand.
While they are in demand, it wanes/self corrects as all the subcontractors start their own gigs, overpopulate, and contact back to a few providers. The road to financial success in them is also long and brutal. If the economy tanks, there will also be a lot of trades people out of work due to the lack of new construction. I'm assuming that would impact apprenticeships too.
Re: Ask HN: Decided I no longer want to be a SWE – what next?
#20All I can say is you are not alone. When I read this, almost all you say resonates with me - and there is no privacy, especially in startups. I learnt it the hard way too. Please don't think you are not good enough. The interviewing process is just ridiculous and illogical (for an industry that deals with logic all the time!). I don't have any answers - since I am also in the current state. And I also found out that…
What was most offensive to me was (aside from the blatant breach of privacy -which only added to problems with my cofounder and I) was that they seemed to take issue with the fact I was advocating for the best option for my value as an engineer. Also... most of the calls they received were from recruiters doing checks BEFORE reaching out to me. Immediately jumping to the conclusion I was "running around shopping my resume" is candidly childish at best.
This was all for an initial investment of $120k which is frankly hilarious. The idea I wouldn't do whats best for me because you gave me $100k.