Ask HN: I think I'm done with tech. Burnout constantly. Now what? | Hacker News Reader

Ask HN: I think I'm done with tech. Burnout constantly. Now what?

23 pointspurple-leafy13 comments

I've been working in tech the last 5 years.

This is a rant.

I'm constantly burning out at my job now. I hate how shit the work is, fucking pushing shit features for a shit codebase that adds negative value to the world.

There is no craftsmanship in anything anymore, just rush everything out the door full of bugs, everything is just money at the end of the day. No time to spend time making quality valuable products.

Golden bloody handcuffs, earning a decent amount, but to what end?

Constant layoffs, restructuring, bastard management and HR, no stability, no pay-rises, and no end in sight. As a worker I feel worthless. Treated like scum.

I love computers. I love learning, I love the power of programming. I hate that this capitalist shit-hole we live in means that the only Software we build is software that makes money. Marketing automation!? Fuck me!

What the hell do I do?

I want a consistent job, stability, to be treated well, not just a number on a spreadsheet. I want a job where I can learn maths or science or computer programming/hardware, and not have my livelihood held to ransom by conservative lackwits in government cutting down on "non-essential" things like education.

I hate this trajectory the world is on. I had so much hope for the world when I was younger. I'd hate to show younger me current me.

When you are in a crisis situation you need to slow down and take stock of your resources. How much cash do you have? Can you live with your parents/other people to lower rent? Will you get recommendations from your colleagues at work? Do you have vacation time you can use to recharge? Can you lower your expenses to build a cash pile? What can you do to improve your present situation at work? What can you do to improve your mental health/fatigue and recharge?

Take a long weekend, stay off the computer, stare at the clouds a bit, answer these sorts of questions and start to chart a new course for yourself.

As someone who's been in tech since the early 90s had many tech jobs I can share some wisdom:

* in programming terms, it could be the instance for the class you hate and not the class itself, or it could be the module you hate, or the library, or the language itself, or the project itself (or maybe even just your coworkers). advice: explore other tech/projects you might enjoy more. find out exactly what it is you don't like, so you can avoid it in the future.

* if it's the meaninglessness of your situation that bothers you, find another company that aligns with your values. hunt down those companies and keep applying.

* if you aren't sure what your values are, take a break and explore: i can say the best moments of my life were when i was laid off for several mths, i took classes at community college, 'inane' classes - moviemaking, archery, i learned how to butcher a chicken and fish, just because. it all gave me perspective.

* finally, having worked at for-profit and non-profit companies, in general the highest-paying jobs generally care least about you as a human - despite the nice showy 'perks', they will cut you at the drop of a hat if they don't need you, or if there's a recession.

If you struggle to find a job you like, why not create one for yourself and potentially others too?

Imagine a cause you'd like to support (you mention a number of things you are frustrated with), and see if you can improve it with software? You'd still need to find how you can charge for it (otherwise, it's charity/volunteer work), but you cap it at reasonable profit (eg fairly compensated but not get-rich-quick scheme).

> I'd hate to show younger me current me.

I had the reverse. My younger self wanted to do something to benefit the humanity, but hated see the old me having no money and out-to-date skills (See https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=41716772). At the end of the days, the people at the top wanted the money. I didn't even have handcuffs, let alone golden ones.

There are jobs you like in this world, but you may not like the salary.

I am sure somewhere is a job you would like. Probably with less salary.

Sorry folks, I'm angry. My fucking company is going through their third restructure in not even 1 year!!!!

Ah, the old reorg when management hasn't a clue. Quit complaining here and move already. Problem solved.

there are no jobs

Most MAANG will buy-out your options even if they haven't vested.

You're under no obligation to stay anywhere.

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