Would love to hear your story. Did you retire to Costa Rica? Did you go for another FAANG job? Did you do something totally random and crazy?
My next move will either be “retiring” and trying to start a solo business in super low-pressure mode (thanks to good savings), or find a right partner and be a cofounder at a typical venture backed startup in the Bay and shoot for the stars. Likely nothing in between.
So far I’m not too motivated about the second even if more than one person told me that I have the right attitude, practicality and perseverance to get stuff done (I don’t totally believe them, I know how hard it is to start one as I was in the front seat as early employee a few times). I am more looking forward to the first, somehow I am enticed about the idea of spending my days not talking to a single soul, except customers via email (can you tell I spend 70% of my time in meetings?!).
I am waiting for a unicorn I have a good chunk of equity in to go public (or bust) before taking a decision about what’s next. At that point, my FAANG compensation will either become an irrelevant drop in the bucket, or a necessity not worth risking for several more years.
oof. Tales from a fraternity
It is certainly an eye opener, though. Go live your best, most fulfilling life, whatever that looks like for you!
The firehose of Google money was nice, but it isn't what made me the most wealth over the years. I've had good success with stock options in startups, having joined SpaceX in 2010, and Zipline in 2016. Zipline is still quite risky, but I am optimistic that we'll pan out long term!
I didn’t exit for a new opportunity so much as my sanity.
My personal relationships, mental and physical health, all took a heavy hit.
I stuck around for the money. I held my initial stock vests until 2019, skipping the whole “eggs in one basket” advice. I then sold half my equity, and then I sold my 2020 and 2021 grants at almost close to the top.
I don’t have to work for a while, and my spouse earns enough for me to stay at home until I’m bored, without selling any investments. Financially we’re completely secured now.
I almost lost my spouse. I practically had no friends or life by the time I left. I’d worked so hard and so long but lost focus on myself, my family, and any notion of enjoying life.
I wish I started a family sooner. I wish I kept in close touch with siblings. I wish I’d been closer with my parents, especially when my dad was still alive.
The biggest opportunity that I missed again and again is realizing no piece of shit company, no matter how much they pay you, or whatever title they give you, is worth throwing away your life for. Amazon was a hell hole. It still is a hell hole, but it’s not my problem anymore.
I'm mostly talking EU here because making peanuts barely applies for any US job but in the end I'm a Sr Dev and still barely have time to have friends/spouse while struggling to have any savings and living in HCOL.
I'd say count your blessings, it can always be worse.
Surely you would have no need to do anything for money ever anymore? That sounds like an amazing freedom to have. Although, used incorrectly, it could make one feel rather useless too I suppose.
I now teach people the way I think is best, and pick and choose who I work with. It's been over five years since I left, and it's the best thing I ever did.
That sounds oddly specific. So you take in people who are already coding and enjoying it, but want to be taught how to enjoy it more?
Pay is lower but the work is much more interesting/satisfying
One of the coolest things is working on tools used by artists and seeing the result of what they make with it
Have you experienced this?
The jobs were all over the place. BigCo, startup, crypto, fintech, adtech.
I’m getting tired of tech after 25+ years and toyed with the idea of changing industries. But it seems like I’m starting over again and as such I keep gravitating back to tech work
It's great! pay is equal or more than what I what I would have earned I think. Plus I like to think I'm doing something that actually improves quality of life of people.
Motion is life.
Actively pursuing what you want post-employment? Go for it!
That's what I think about work.
Problem is I need need to work to retire. And I'm pretty sure I don't have the business skills or drive to start my own thing. So here I am. I don't feel like a victim. It's just reality and I accept it.
Don't be a sucker and exchange your life for miserably earned money. Find something that works for you.