Maybe I'm just at the wrong place at the wrong time, but as a software engineer I don't feel like I'm doing any actual engineering and solving meaningful problems, just spaghetti gluing random frameworks, packages and services together. The only problems I get to solve are those caused by the quirks of all these incompatible things being forced to work together. It's draining.
This is the job most of the time, especially at large corporations. You’re mostly fixing legacy decisions and trying to patch together solutions to current problems (instead of fixing tomorrow’s problems). Hang in there.
"Boo hoo" I know, but it is its own little Dante's Inferno.
Times always change, but being useful and providing answers will continue to provide value to business and society, and if one wants to focus on that over the minutiae of programming, they will probably have a much better time as things change more and faster.
But now after decades in risk management, I’ve seen firsthand that tech alone doesn’t solve much - the real challenges are people, process, and execution.
Even with the best tools, most (~70%) of digital transformations fail, often due to poor adoption, bad processes, or simple human error.
And after all these efforts... we’re finding more vulnerabilities than ever, maybe showing that security isn’t just about better tech — it’s about people making the right decisions.
The older I get, the more I focus on these challenges, because without solving them, even the best tech/software/code is just another liability.
I would also add some light mobility/stability work, like the reset video another commenter posted here. I like Original Strength a lot, in particular quadruped rocking and bird dogs.
These in combination should massively improve quality of life for desk guys. A close examination of ergonomics is in order, as well. The challenge is finding programming that works for you, but in general software development is pretty flexible in allowing that.
I see what you did there :D
If it helps anyone - training regularly not only builds muscles it destresses you and keeps your mind in check. What used to be stressful is now much easier to manage as I'm able to pass these challenges during a training session.
Kudos to anyone starting out - it's never too late to feel better. Cheers.
Avoiding movements isn't necessary. You can just prioritize other movements like rows and behind the neck pressing.
In general, I think you could summarize as: stretch out and relax the front side, strengthen the opposing muscles in the back, and fix your posture.
Original Strength was what really broke the dam for me personally. That, combined with overhead shoulder work, has completely changed the way my shoulders sit on my body.
Got a job interview tomorrow in another industry, at this point I would flip burgers instead of work in banking.
I got in to this space because it was fascinating. It still is. I worry a lot of people got in to software because they couldn't decide what else to do while in high school? If that's you, find the overlap between what you like to do, what you are good at and what pays enough for you to live.
Eh, that's not really a tangible marketable skill though, or if it is, it can be very hard to identify or convince someone to hire you based on; usually it's quite the opposite. If you're a programmer of some sort normally, and find yourself out of work, it might be quite difficult to get hired for anything else if the local economy isn't absolutely stellar. If anything, you might have a shot at re-training from scratch, getting a categorically different credential, or starting a business, but often an employer would look at your resume and think "This person will jump ship as soon as they can" or "what is any of this supposed to mean to me, I need someone who's good with customers".
It depends on your region as well though. Losing a job in Canada as a software person last month, last year, 2 years ago, would potentially be crippling for a _long_ time, but now it's worse, and it's worse for everyone else too, and you'd be right to be nervous about the future. Bet against easy transferability, and do your best to actually have a compelling case for an alternative when/if the necessity comes around.
Also relying on being fascinated to pay the bills works until it really doesn't, and if a person never needs to contend with that, they should consider themselves lucky. If at any point the work starts getting dull, and duller, and dullest, you've got quite an existential crisis on your hands, and it's important to develop a healthier relationship with the thing that pays the bills before you face homelessness.
We're all afraid of the future. That's normal for most people. I have rarely in my career ever bothered with certifications, yet I'm collecting them like a hobby this year.
I don't mean to read in to your comment, but I offer an ear if you want to reach out. There is an email on my HN profile.
> I don't mean to read in to your comment, but I offer an ear if you want to reach out. There is an email on my HN profile.
I appreciate the invitation. I know it sounds like I'm in a dark place, but thankfully things eventually worked out... for now, I just came out with some perspective. It has been a repeating cycle of literally 6 months to a year employed and then a year off for the last decade, and you get some time to think if you let yourself take it.
Nice. Added to https://github.com/globalcitizen/taoup
https://archive.jamesaltucher.com/blog/reinventing-yourself/
I mostly find James Altucher quite annoying. But this is good.
However, I've also been bearish for like the last 15 years, so these financially conservative moves I have made in reality will portend massive stock market gains, bountiful employment and prosperity. :)
You're welcome.
I wanted to do over-the-road trucking, but I consume for PTSD-related insomnia at bed -- that's worse than parking up for the night and downing a suitcase or two of beer and getting up in the morning to drive fully hungover, according to the feds.
Maybe non-CDL hotshotting[1] could be a thing in my future - man with a cargo van sounds adventurous.
[1]"hot shot" cargo - small, expedient packages by truck and van, all those mysterious Sprinters on the highways.
Stuck in this job at a senior level with >25 years of experience, in part because there is no plan/budget for promotions to principal engineer and in part because only few engineers are left in this country. Working from Europe in a global remote team of a well-known US company in rapid decline. Still profitable though. When interested in an open management position, I have been told that I am too technical for the role - which is kind of right, but I have worked as a tech lead and other people told me to that it would be a good fit for me. I'd just quit, but 100% remote is important because of my current family situation; the work itself is fine; I have a good reputation and am always put into the most interesting projects; it's quite relaxed (no overtime, no on-call) and the salary is ok'ish. The looming severance package in the next round of layoffs, which seems inevitable, would also offer financial security to start a new career, like freelancing. Unfortunately I seem to be too valuable to fire so far, but maybe they just end software development at this location.
Just finished framing my own house (1 man build) including foundation starting last summer. I have to put my shingles on next but we're in the middle of an atmospheric river right now. I still have a lot more to go, but I think I'm at 50% now.
I hope to break into the construction game after I finish it since I'll be dead broke after.
Farmers aren't having a good time, either.
I have been doing this about 12 years, and am quite comfortable in my position though. I can understand anxieties for new entrants in an industry that historically has been solid and reliable alongside high-paying. But fundamental shifts in how we work don't necessarily mean gloom. It means innovation on fronts that we haven't had to think about it for a while.
If making things excites you, its a great time to be doing it.
> I can understand anxieties for new entrants in an industry that historically has been solid and reliable alongside high-paying
I started in tech in the 90's. Between 1994-2014 I worked _way_ more than most people in most industries because IT (and management) is one of those exempt labor categorizes. High-paying, sure... but when you spend a decade or two working 50-55 hours a week the hourly rate ain't so good. :)
However, I location-optimized. I started in rural Ohio ~2hrs from Detroit, and ended up in New York City after some bouncing to smaller tech cities climbing the ladder. But I think my hourly rate comes out pretty great, even historically to my career beginning, especially for a non-college-grad.
Anyone telling you you'll be replaced by AI soon is delusional.
Though I'd say the bigger hallmark it's nowhere near is the more obvious one: code has to work, which AI isn't good at. It's very good at sending emails though - replacing the managers is the more likely thing to happen first. Why have a layer of middle management when scheduling software, AI summaries and agentic tools could empower 1 person to direct multiple teams and where hallucinations or mistakes are more easily corrected since nothing crashes you just have a slightly confused subordinate at times?
If you can pass a fizz-buzz interview screen, that’s a different story.
I would also suggest creating content about to interests. Live coding or explanatory videos that could be useful to somebody else, attract attention to you, and prove you are no AI-fraud if they actually hire you.
Depending on your skill, consulting offers will (probably) come your way without much marketing effort.