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// I like to code when I can build something for fun. I'm burnt out. // I'm a newcomer in coding and lack in fundamental programming skills but don't want to le

// I like to code when I can build something for fun. I'm burnt out. // I'm a newcomer in coding and lack in fundamental programming skills but don't want to learn it, because I see no future for me in coding professionally. Before you quit and do something else perhaps it's worth exploring your situation a little? Are you feeling burnt out and see no future in programming because you're new to programming and still overcoming the learning curve? This can lead to impostor syndrome which is often mistaken for burnout, but just takes time to get through. Perhaps it means you just need more support at work, more time for training, more freedom to talk about your anxieties and get some advice? Is your work situation just quite difficult right now because of market conditions or lockdowns etc? For some time yet, although not forever, this will persist even if you move on so it's vital to learn techniques on how to deal with it now. If any of these are the case you would find it much less disruptive to have an honest conversation with your boss rather than to quit. However, if you truly made a mistake with your career direction then do look at other opportunities. There's no shame in that. BTW: It would seem that global supply chains are very brittle in the face of pandemics and perhaps people with your training could help innovate supply chains to help us weather similar things in the future. Programming may play in to this innovation. Good luck!

buildawesome 6y ago
Thanks for this response. I'm a former biz analyst turned boot camp developer. After a couple of years slogging through, I started applying for jobs these past few months, with little to no traction, and as such have been feeling burnt out because I don't know the fundamentals, have little to no support at work, and felt like I had no future professionally. So this encourages me to keep on learning, building, and hacking as best I can until I can get to an environment that helps me succeed through mentorship, product vision, and a capable leadership team.
J-dawg 6y ago
> This can lead to impostor syndrome which is often mistaken for burnout, but just takes time to get through. Man, I feel this. I feel burnt out basically all the time. Maybe it is imposter syndrome, maybe I'm still overcoming the learning curve, or maybe there's a third option: I just don't have much aptitude for programming, and never will. I identified a lot with the OP's question. I still feel like a complete beginner, even though I've got a few years of experience under my belt now. I guess what I actually have is one year of experience, a few times over. I think I've actually reduced productivity in all the teams I've been part of. It's so tough to know whether to cut my losses and get into a different career, or keep plugging away and hoping I somehow become competent one day. Feeling so useless really knocks your confidence in other areas of life. Maybe the OP should actually cut his losses and get out now, and maybe I should too. This industry has a habit of labelling anyone who is struggling as having "imposter syndrome". It's well intentioned, but misses an obvious truth. Programming is really hard, and most people don't have the intellect for it. Are we doing people a disservice by encouraging them to stay in a career they have little aptitude for?

buildawesome 6y ago

Thanks for this response. I'm a former biz analyst turned boot camp developer. After a couple of years slogging through, I started applying for jobs these past few months, with little to no traction, and as such have been feeling burnt out because I don't know the fundamentals, have little to no support at work, and felt like I had no future professionally. So this encourages me to keep on learning, building, and hacking as best I can until I can get to an environment that helps me succeed through mentorship, product vision, and a capable leadership team.

J-dawg 6y ago

> This can lead to impostor syndrome which is often mistaken for burnout, but just takes time to get through. Man, I feel this. I feel burnt out basically all the time. Maybe it is imposter syndrome, maybe I'm still overcoming the learning curve, or maybe there's a third option: I just don't have much aptitude for programming, and never will. I identified a lot with the OP's question. I still feel like a complete beginner, even though I've got a few years of experience under my belt now. I guess what I actually have is one year of experience, a few times over. I think I've actually reduced productivity in all the teams I've been part of. It's so tough to know whether to cut my losses and get into a different career, or keep plugging away and hoping I somehow become competent one day. Feeling so useless really knocks your confidence in other areas of life. Maybe the OP should actually cut his losses and get out now, and maybe I should too. This industry has a habit of labelling anyone who is struggling as having "imposter syndrome". It's well intentioned, but misses an obvious truth. Programming is really hard, and most people don't have the intellect for it. Are we doing people a disservice by encouraging them to stay in a career they have little aptitude for?