Relegating software development to a hobby | Hacker News Reader

Relegating software development to a hobby

13 pointsonthefence10 comments

I'm a self-taught web developer in my mid 30's that, after doing web development for the last 8 years, is rapidly moving towards burnout. Over the last few years every time I changed jobs I thought the previous job was the issue (no upward mobility, e-commerce is boring, I don't like strongly-typed languages), and only in the past few months have I started to wonder if it's not the job but that I'm in the wrong career.

I'm interested in various languages and software and will do tutorials in new subjects occasionally, but never do the passionate personal-time deep dives that my colleagues do. I read The Passionate Programmer and often times thought "Yeah I'm not going to do that" regarding things a passionate programmer does. Right now programming feels like a person I want to perpetually date but never settle down with.

So for those who have gone through a similar soul-searching period, what helped you to reach a conclusion? Did you relegate software development to a hobby and go do something else instead? If so, are you happy with that decision?

My situation is somewhat different as I have never been a programmer per se, I graduaded in cultural anthropology, worked for two years at an insurance corporation and now for almost a year at a small software developer, implementing a BPM system which consist of both some coding and meeting with clients.

I also started studying computer science a year ago. What has crushed my ambition was the math. It simply requires lots and lots of time to start solving basic problems at advenced level. Even if I pushed hard, sleep less, the reality is that I'd never get to the level where my math is useful in CS, or compete with people who are talented with math. And none of my colleagues do any sort of calculations. There is no optimalization effort. Deadlines are short and we just have to get things done. The chief architect even says "memory is cheaper than processing time" so we shuffle around big chunks of data instead of making smarter algorhytms. It of course doesn't mean that math isn't important - I admire anyone who has mastered linear algebra.

So I realised that it wouldn't be worthwile to struggle with math, which was too hard, but rather try to learn new languages, build something useful etc.

And than I realised that sitting at a computer the entire day is not what I wanted for myself. When I was young I dreamt of becoming a filmmaker, make documentaries. A friend helped me to dug this old dream out of my subconsciousness.

He told me to write down and read a list of my strong sides every evening and add to it if I find something new. And so I have for over 120 days. And I focused on what I would like to accomplish and how much I want to sacrifice to achieve my dreams. So the plan is to try to get to Manchester University and study Visual Anthropology for a year and move on with a filmmaking career. Wish me luck

I used to be the same way.

Then I started trying to create my own software product and somehow everything is far more interesting and fulfilling now.

I have a ssdd day job now and I don't even care about all annoyances I used to.

It's like I have a much bigger dream and goal that outshines the rest of it.

When I think about dynamic vs static languages the only thong I think about is if I'm productive with it and can get the next project out faster.

This is what I'm leaning towards as well. Either as a hobby or a startup I have 1-2 projects that already have me more excited than going to work. Ideally your main job is where you have the most potential for advancement and career fulfillment since you spend so much time there, but I'm beginning to understand that that may not be an option.

In lieu of writing an in-depth answer, I'd refer to a previous thread instead: https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=1726795

"...Even further, society isn't merely a collection of engineers, and scientist: other people have all kind of different jobs. Furthermore, they are equally convinced, that their field of choice was the right one; and from their own perspective each one of them was right..."

Whoever's job is not automatable wins :).

What would you rather do? E.g., are you bored with development per se, or life in general?

What I would rather do has been the most elusive answer to find during this soul searching period, but I may be bored with life in general.

Before side-stepping into software development I studied economics and then environmental policy in school. While studying Geographic Information Systems I discovered Python and really enjoyed it. After graduation a great programming opportunity presented itself before I was able to find a compelling environmental job, so I took it. I told myself it was better to pick up hard skills like programming while I'm young, and could always go back and learn additional soft skills for environmental work later. When I made that decision I'd also envisioned doing more GIS-type work, until I later discovered that most of those jobs are .NET programming which I'm not keen on.

I occasionally look for environmental opportunities but get discouraged because I have no real-world experience and 9 years have passed since I obtained my degree. The possibility of taking an unpaid internship at an environmental organization just to get some experience is unappealing, I feel too old to do something like that, and yes it would be a shot to my pride.

Other areas like digital art are interesting to me and I dabble in them, but at my age I honestly don't know if I can devote years to improving my abilities in order to carve out a career in a creative field like that. Most of these possibilities also mean a dramatic reduction in salary and the lifestyle change that comes with it. I don't have a family to support which makes it easier, but hobbies like international travel would go away.

And that's why I say I may be bored with life in general. After the years of school and hard work I'm potentially starting all over again. I come home from work exhausted and have a few hours to try to figure this out, but have yet to find something appealing. I've considered just taking a break but think I'll end up with more questions than answers, and am not eager to put dead zones on my resume that I'll have to explain. I'd love to hear from people that went through similar transition periods.

Personally, I feel that anyone that can't deal with a resume "blank spot" isn't really serious about finding an actual person: blank spots happen, it's just that some people stay in a job they hate, so that both the job and person suffer, rather than taking a step back.

I'd explore why doing something you're interested in, that helps you get on a path you're interested in, is a "shot to your pride" rather than what it is: an opportunity that you'd actually enjoy, and would help you down a path you say you're interested in.

I agree with you on the "blank spot" issue the more I think about it. I don't currently have any on my resume so adding one by my own choosing in order to give greater focus to my career path and passion for what I do should be an easy explanation.

As for my pride, when I wrote that comment I had in mind doing an unpaid internship alongside recent college graduates. I'd inevitably feel old in that scenario but you're right, it would help me determine if that path is still one I want to go down and is low-risk/commitment. Thank you for the feedback Dave.

No problem; I wrestle/have wrestled with the same issues.

These days I just accept I'm so very old :/ On the plus side, college kids are hot. Not that this does me any good.

Reply on news.ycombinator.com