Ask HN: Experience Leaving Software Engineering
I am wondering if anyone has experience walking away completely from software engineering.
As an example i am thinking of becoming a carpenter after 7 years of stress doing software development and infrastructure. Not sure if this counts, but I went from software engineering to embedded systems. Here's how I feel it's different: - The space evolves at a slower pace than regular "software", so I'm less stressed about keeping up with the latest/greatest; - Resources are more constrained so there are less whacky design patterns and architecture - just simple code; - Longer development lifecycle (due to hardware), so less being rushed to ship half-assed features. There are downsides, too: - Less cool algorithms (and language features), more shunting around data and debugging; - Not as well-compensated, but still pretty good; - Hard to be 100% remote, since you often need access to hardware. Obviously, my experience is not universal, just my sample of n=1! May I ask what was your background and how you managed the move? Also did you need to take a paycut? I was once in embedded (around a decade ago) and jobs were scarce and not interesting. Shifted to SWE simply due to massive wage differences. Once I'm financially comfortable, I would like to shift back to embedded. I have a EE background but only some early career experience in embedded so would likely fail interviews right now. I had worked in embedded a bit at my first job out of university, then took a job doing mostly modern C++ but also Android/IOS/.NET development for over 3 years. I realized that I missed embedded and wasn't super fond of "software" for the reasons outlined above, and ended up where I am now. I actually got a small pay increase compared to my previous role! I don't think my salary really compares to what I read about on here (like, I think your average HNer easily makes 2x what I did/do based on the posts I've read) though, so take from that what you will. What a great idea, thank you. I'm building my (last?) office for remote work with a workbench just in case I can make this jump . . . :) How did you make the move in terms of learning what you needed to know then getting a job doing it? I got completely burnt out programming, so I quit and built a house on a rural block of land. You need to like being outdoors, even when the weather is miserable. The biggest issue is building up your savings in advance and being comfortable living on a lesser income. Many former colleagues that I have kept in touch with won't give up their lifestyles which they can only afford because of their above average income. Being frugal and happy doesn't suit most folks. Awesome! My friend did the same although he started by taking the first semester of carpenter education beforehand as he had no practical experience. For me, i have no savings, and i have no need for big paychecks. However i also lack skills outside computer this'n'that so i as well consider taking the danish carpenter education which is 4 years with most of it being payed practice at an employer. My hope is that would give me the knowhow to buy some land and create a home plus then severely lower my weekly hours and income. I think about this time to time but always remember it’s not programming I hate, it’s the industry. There is also the possibility to optimise for free time. - Get a remote job - only work four days. Look for one with very little meetings. - do your real work 4-5 hours a day, go for a walk, a run, whatever during working hours Show me another job where I can make 100k basically working 16-20 hours a week. I'm doing this, working 4 days per week and working around 6 hours per day. I genuinely feel happy. It also keeps programming genuinely interesting. I am going to interview for a FAANG position soon and despite the fact that the salary is 4x, I'm not sure I should take it. My disposable income is high due to my costs being really low and man... it's chill! I've done something similar in the corporate world. I moved into the business side of things, work from home, and mostly have meetings. I can work 3-5 hours a day and maintain my income. What I gave up is the future earning potential of a software engineering career. As an engineer, I should be doubling my income in the next 5-10 years and I will no longer do that. This right here. I left software for a little, but finding a role like this brought me back. I go for a walk/gym in the morning, get some work done, play guitar, cook lunch and dinner, do some more work. You really can't find work much better. Has anyone found another job that pays so well for so little, yet? Anything I found is a significant pay cut or significantly harder and more stressful work, so I'm still programming. Just become a manager I really love technical sales. Management wasn't for me (hate meetings), and I get paid more. Doesn't technical sales also involve lots of meetings? I do have purposeful meetings with customers, when the need arises, and I enjoy those. There are no recurring meetings or standups. It's heaven.