4 ms·

That was exactly me as a car mechanic, finding the problem that no one couldn't find? Awesome, but even doing the work to fix it after diagnosed it was boring f

by riekus 5y ago

That was exactly me as a car mechanic, finding the problem that no one couldn't find? Awesome, but even doing the work to fix it after diagnosed it was boring for me, not to mention the thousands of tire changes, oil changes... So boring. Sold everything and travelled for 4 years where I worked on projects of my own (programming) and being self taught I planned to be a programmer when I came back (now) but thinking about it... I don't think I would like the day to day work, typing code like a monkey on the que of a superior, it honestly feels like programmers are the new factory workers of the industrial revolution. Also doesn't help that I am in the Netherlands, where it isn't paid as exceptional as in the US, it maybe would make it bearable. My big problem now, what am I going to do...

askonomm 5y ago
I recommend joining a smaller company or start-up, that way you have plenty of interesting things to work on, and won't be bogged down to being a "code monkey", as you can influence architectural decisions, and so on. It's the bigger companies with a very routine "process" that usually makes you feel like a line worker.
wpietri 5y ago
Plenty of dev jobs are as you describe, but not all of them! For example, right now I'm working for a non-profit. Meaningful work, smart colleagues, and a fair bit of agency. It doesn't pay as well as a fancy tech company, but I get by. You should also check out groups that are more niche. For example, a friend of mine is part of the Copenhagen user group for Extreme Programming. That's a method that's focused on a good developer experience. And in my experience, niche methods and languages tend to be used more at non-awful companies. So stay away from the big, boring companies, or at least the boring parts of them. Look for small, independent groups with clear purposes and close connections to the users.

by riekus 5y ago

askonomm 5y ago

I recommend joining a smaller company or start-up, that way you have plenty of interesting things to work on, and won't be bogged down to being a "code monkey", as you can influence architectural decisions, and so on. It's the bigger companies with a very routine "process" that usually makes you feel like a line worker.

wpietri 5y ago

Plenty of dev jobs are as you describe, but not all of them! For example, right now I'm working for a non-profit. Meaningful work, smart colleagues, and a fair bit of agency. It doesn't pay as well as a fancy tech company, but I get by. You should also check out groups that are more niche. For example, a friend of mine is part of the Copenhagen user group for Extreme Programming. That's a method that's focused on a good developer experience. And in my experience, niche methods and languages tend to be used more at non-awful companies. So stay away from the big, boring companies, or at least the boring parts of them. Look for small, independent groups with clear purposes and close connections to the users.