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I went from being homeless, to a retail job, to a software engineer job within 3 years. I used to sleep under a desk many nights due to 80+ hour weeks as I obse
by lrvick 3y ago
I went from being homeless, to a retail job, to a software engineer job within 3 years. I used to sleep under a desk many nights due to 80+ hour weeks as I obsessively tried to hold unreasonable deadlines working on all manner of tech projects alone. Imposter syndrome was real until I saw a contract showing clients were being billed at about 10x the poverty line wages I was making.
Eventually I realized they were just exploiting my poor self esteem and found the courage to quit, and found a job that paid double for half the hours.
Today I am constantly coaching people to do the same.
- Topfi 3y agoGreat to hear that you got into such a position, wishing you the best. Never experienced anything even close to what you have gone through (besides a brief stint of excessively long hours), but have come to realize that there is a lot of value in openly sharing with people what they can be worth when they are potentially exploited or making less than their peers for similar (or greater efforts). As you've said, it's unfortunately often about self-esteem and confidence, with people not realizing what value they have and compensation they should receive.
- iwontberude 3y agoI try to frame it as worker camaraderie, we can’t allow each other to race to the bottom.
- mynameisnoone 3y agoThere can be no wealth without ownership, and no fair wages without collective bargaining and effective unions. Most corporations are exploitation factories.