What do I do with my life?
I hate working 9 to 5. I simply hate it. I loathe it. I worked so hard all my effing life to get here and I hate it. I learnt DP and what not. It’s been 1.5 years since I started working full time as a software engineer and it just keeps getting worse. I make upwards of 15 lpa. It’s not that I have a bad work environment, it’s great. It’s just that I feel absolutely rotten working a 9 to 5 as a software engineer. Ideally, I would like to own a small business of my own. Despite watching hours of content on how to do that, I haven’t been able to come up with anything that seems like it’s gonna work, you know… Thinking of doing an MBA but that’s BS too, right? It feels like very soon I’m just gonna quit and be broke. 🤷🏼♀️ It feels like my life is over at 23. Kill me now. My question to you is first, am I alone?, second, can I help you in your business in any possible way?, third, should I do an MBA?
Join CultFit and start working out (especially their group classes). Hopefully you'll love taking care of yourself and get fit in the process. It also gives you a chance to socialize and know people
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Start reading ebooks (maybe get a Kindle if you're too distracted on phone) or listening to Audiobooks / podcasts. I find lstening to other's story enlightening as well as entertaining
I do all of the above and more. The satisfaction that I need from my work cannot be received from hobbies and fitness.
As someone who has worked 10 years despite these feelings, I completely empathise. I start getting anxiety around 8 am which eases only when I am in cab home or 8 pm, especially on Saturdays (I have worked 12-14hrs also in 6 day setups). The problem is not the city, the job (coding), the money or the 9-6 setup.
At its core, atleast for me, it is if I am learning new things that enhances my mind. For this, I’ve changed roles 5 times (FE to DE to DS to BA to HR) and switched b/w 8 industries deliberately to keep things fresh. Because when you’re learning, you feel happy about getting better (for your sake and not promotions, hikes). When I stop learning in a job, my performance plummets and I subconsciously implode (in order to get out of there). For me this cycle is 1 year and I somehow stretch it to 2 years to cement those learnings. It’s difficult to live with but I’ve made my peace with it. I’d like to think I’ve done well for myself as I’ve always got awards and glowing reviews from my peers.
I am not proposing you go my way in switching roles, because what worked for me won’t for you. Diff Industries will definitely help in giving your brain new workout to think in new ways and satisfy you. Just go deep, but for your satisfaction sake. Don’t fall into trap of DP/DSA if you don’t like it, do it only when necessary (job interviews). Careers are long, you need it for sustenance and better things in life. So don’t over index for quick short gains, go for what will satisfy you in long term. Don’t pick a goal, pick a direction and be brutal in changing it if it doesn’t serve you.
All my best wishes bro 🫂
I get it. I’m directed towards building something of my own (not a tech startup) and moving out of BLR. I don’t know how to proceed
Great buddy. As I’ve come to realise in my 2 years in Bangalore, tech startup scene here is overrated and hyped up only by founders and glory hunters who want to show that only this is the best life India can afford. Whereas a lot of peace, fulfilment and success can be found in your own ventures even in a small town or doing something for yourself. All my best to you!
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1. You are not alone. I am sailing in the same boat.
2. Well, I have a bunch of ideas to work on. But you know I procrastinate a lot. I need someone with whom I can work on.
3. MBA is a no from me. Spending 30-40 lakhs and then getting a 25 LPA job while you can get there in 2 years easily. I don't see a point doing MBA. It's just a social tag in my opinion.
Bro you are not alone. I feels like this since 2-3 years from now. I think in future this journey will get difficult.
Now days companies focus on optimising costs compared to good quality product. I know it's hard for us developers to grow in our career and to learn new things. Companies only focus how they benefitted themselves not caring about devs. Bhaad m jaaye unki learnings and career growth.
But we have to think about us also, so you have 2 options either open your own business or do this corporate job. You should have guts to open business so most of like us will keep working in corporate. That's why I am focusing on retiring from this sector and making my money works for itself.
Not gonna lie, I used to hate engineers who ends up doing MBA like why chose engineering at anyway, right?
Little did I know, I would be in the same situation once I enter the corporate.
So, I literally feel the same what you do too. Doing less exciting projects, optimizing the finances, market out look of IT in general, never ending cycle of just upgrading ourselves to keep up with the tech only adds to the dilemma. Even I am unsure of what to do going forward, whether it be small business of my own or MBA or may be all of it. 🫥
1. You are not alone
2. If you want to approach founders who are building there businesses, cut down on the negative attitude. I mean, it’s totally okay to rant. But it’s better to have a positive attitude while approaching potential clients/customers/employers. Maybe have a separate post for this rather than combining it with a rant.
3. No
