My job has less (no) global impact. What I did previously affected far more people. I told people what project I was on and they thought that was cool. But I don’t hate my life or job and I very much did before.
My job has less (no) global impact. What I did previously affected far more people. I told people what project I was on and they thought that was cool. But I don’t hate my life or job and I very much did before.
Unfortunately US culture is very money orientated, and so, especially to young developers (and quite a few older ones) it's the only factor.
I remember a long time ago a local "big name" consultancy firm came to our Uni to recruit. He said all the right things, told us about international travel, great pay, good benefits, every material delight you could hope for.
But he looked tired. Like really tired. Turns out he'd been doing a consulting gig on thd other side of the world. 12 hours time difference. 2 weeks there, never left the hotel/office. Got home last night. Today is back at work. After 30-odd hours of travel.
That spoke to me, and helped me see that the company matters more than the money. I ended up with a good job, where we knock off at the end of every day. Where we didnt have multiple layers of management. And very few meetings.
Obviously I'm too old to work at a FANG now, but honestly, I think I would be a very bad fit for that environment.
The secret to avoiding burnout is to enjoy your work. Sure some of it is just work, but you gotta wanna go. I wish you much luck in finding as good a fit as I did.
The real payout at those places seem to be those that win the "up or out" stabbing contest and can coast at some semi sale semi boss position. Not as an IC.
As I mentioned in my own comment, the root cause of burnout - be it coding or otherwise, is when expectations don't match reality.
For most people, especially the young, they attach their expectations to the job and work they do. There are also a certain number of people who have other expectations though - like how they can contribute to charity or the well-being of their own family from the money they make, from a job they don't necessarily like or even care about. One example is the popular Bain/McKinsey partner who is happy to sell absolute vaporware that will never be delivered ever, because they don't care whether their customers are happy - their own expectations are how bigger of a yatch or mansion they can upgrade to next year.
It all boils down to what the expectations are and whether they match reality.