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I've been in industry for 12 years now, and none of your second paragraph rings true for me. "Useless client projects" and "boss/company save face when things f

I've been in industry for 12 years now, and none of your second paragraph rings true for me. "Useless client projects" and "boss/company save face when things fail" sound like they might describe some kind of consultancy? Evening/weekend HR events sound like a terrible HR team—if anyone should know the importance of being inclusive of parents and others with external commitments, it should be HR. You recommend not running, but if you're not in a position to change some of these core practices, moving to a better situation may be the best option. I think one huge quality-of-life factor is working on a team with strong technical leadership. That could be a tech-led company, or it could be an in-house engineering team at any company where the team's director has clout outside the engineering team, generally based on a history of delivering value to the broader org.

PeterStuer 6y ago
You probably work for a non-huge software product company or on an in-house team? In Europe the VAST majority of 'industry' is bespoke B2B projects/engagement shops. I can assure you all the 'terrible' things described above are very much standard across that segment.
- BrandonM 6y ago
  I would imagine so. But you generalized a universally bad bespoke software industry experience to say, “after a few honeymoon years he will discover almost the exact same problems with industry.” The OP didn’t even get that kind of job: he’s a malware researcher at CISCO Talos. You then said, “the grass looks greener, only to realize it was towards the same shit we left behind.” My whole point was that the grass is greener than you described in different parts of the industry than bespoke software. In other words, it sounds like we’re mostly in agreement, but I chose to get out of bespoke work. You seem to be advising to suck it up and sweep the barn floor.

PeterStuer 6y ago

You probably work for a non-huge software product company or on an in-house team? In Europe the VAST majority of 'industry' is bespoke B2B projects/engagement shops. I can assure you all the 'terrible' things described above are very much standard across that segment.

BrandonM 6y ago
I would imagine so. But you generalized a universally bad bespoke software industry experience to say, “after a few honeymoon years he will discover almost the exact same problems with industry.” The OP didn’t even get that kind of job: he’s a malware researcher at CISCO Talos. You then said, “the grass looks greener, only to realize it was towards the same shit we left behind.” My whole point was that the grass is greener than you described in different parts of the industry than bespoke software. In other words, it sounds like we’re mostly in agreement, but I chose to get out of bespoke work. You seem to be advising to suck it up and sweep the barn floor.