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What would you recommend? I identified myself way too much in OP's post. I'm in my mid-20s, have a job as a consultant DevOps engineer in a boring fintech comp

What would you recommend? I identified myself way too much in OP's post. I'm in my mid-20s, have a job as a consultant DevOps engineer in a boring fintech company, in a project that I think will fail. I'm full-remote atm, and I'm already doing the least amount of work that I can do without it being noticed. I'm really good at programming (based on feedback of my co-workers), and I like doing side-projects (usually video-game related). I can't stop thinking everyday that I'm wasting my skills on, as OP stated, useless software. I'm not sure that I'm not being a diva, though. I'm currently taking the steps to go to a 4/5th schedule, but I'm not sure it will make it any better. I'll have more time to do what my want (side-projects + hobbies), but I'm not sure it will solve what I feel deep down.

poisonborz 6y ago
There's a truckload of options, really. Get more into side projects while ignoring/minimizing job tasks, like OP. Try to find jobs that relate closer to what you like (that's the great thing in being a dev, you can switch jobs or roles rather effortlessy, if you have CV that proves you are generally experienced). Find more interesting things within your field, or even current role. Simply switch to a nicer company. Get into charity work. Monetize a hobby, start a venture - even besides an existing job. And so on. One thing is important, is that you HAVE to deal with this problem, however convenient it seems to just let things as they are, and "not think about it". OP was really great at recognizing that there is a specific issue to be solved here.
bluedevil2k 6y ago
In my experience shifting to a 4/5 schedule won't cure your burn-out. You need to take a vacation, 1-2 week vacation, to really get rid of that burn-out feeling and "recharge" yourself. And if you come back and within a week or 2 feel that dread feeling again, then it's time to move on and find something else. As everyone else has said, being unhappy ever day is no way to live life.
autarch 6y ago
I think you're feeling some depression/ennui because you don't care for this particular job. I had similar issues years ago which went away almost immediately after switching jobs. I'd suggest just trying to find a devops job elsewhere at a company you think isn't making something totally pointless.
taldridge 5y ago
Start a software startup in your free time? Pick a passion and run with it, maybe even try to make a business (or non-profit out of it)?

poisonborz 6y ago

There's a truckload of options, really. Get more into side projects while ignoring/minimizing job tasks, like OP. Try to find jobs that relate closer to what you like (that's the great thing in being a dev, you can switch jobs or roles rather effortlessy, if you have CV that proves you are generally experienced). Find more interesting things within your field, or even current role. Simply switch to a nicer company. Get into charity work. Monetize a hobby, start a venture - even besides an existing job. And so on. One thing is important, is that you HAVE to deal with this problem, however convenient it seems to just let things as they are, and "not think about it". OP was really great at recognizing that there is a specific issue to be solved here.

bluedevil2k 6y ago

In my experience shifting to a 4/5 schedule won't cure your burn-out. You need to take a vacation, 1-2 week vacation, to really get rid of that burn-out feeling and "recharge" yourself. And if you come back and within a week or 2 feel that dread feeling again, then it's time to move on and find something else. As everyone else has said, being unhappy ever day is no way to live life.

autarch 6y ago

I think you're feeling some depression/ennui because you don't care for this particular job. I had similar issues years ago which went away almost immediately after switching jobs. I'd suggest just trying to find a devops job elsewhere at a company you think isn't making something totally pointless.

taldridge 5y ago

Start a software startup in your free time? Pick a passion and run with it, maybe even try to make a business (or non-profit out of it)?