My *Honest* Advice to Aspiring Software Engineers

Summary

The video script discusses the changing landscape for software engineers, highlighting the shift from an overvalued market in 2018 to a more realistic expectation in 2024. It recounts personal experiences, such as starting as a junior engineer with a comfortable salary and flexible work-life balance. The speaker reflects on the glamorized image of 'Tech Bros' and the hard work behind it. They outline the new demands, including higher productivity, tighter deadlines, and less autonomy, driven by AI and market normalization. The advice is to join the field for passion, not just money, and to embrace continuous learning and adaptation to stay competitive.

Takeaways

• 📉 Software engineering compensation has normalized, with less overvaluation compared to previous years.
• 💼 The tech industry's expectations have shifted from high pay with little accountability to a more traditional job dynamic.
• 🏆 Tech bros, despite their negative connotations, were once envied for their high salaries and luxurious lifestyles.
• 🌐 The market has corrected itself, moving away from the unicorn era of excessive payouts for software engineers.
• 👨‍💻 The work-life balance for software engineers is still relatively favorable compared to other professions like law or medicine.
• 💻 The use of AI tools is now essential to increase productivity in software engineering roles.
• 🚀 The tech industry still offers decent compensation, free food, and flexibility, even if it's not as extravagant as before.
• 🔄 The job market has become more competitive, requiring software engineers to be more driven and quick to adapt.
• 🌟 Passion for problem-solving and continuous learning is crucial for long-term success in software engineering.
• 🌍 Location still plays a role, with certain areas like the Bay Area offering more perks and higher salaries.

Q & A

What was the compensation like for junior and mid-level engineers in 2018?

In 2018, junior and mid-level engineers, often referred to as 'Tech Bros,' were making upwards of $300,000 to $400,000, and sometimes even half a million dollars.

What was the speaker's personal experience as a fresh graduate in 2018?

The speaker, a fresh graduate from the University of Wisconsin-Madison in 2018, landed a job as a junior engineer at a data analytics startup in Chicago, earning $75,000 a year with the perk of living in Greece and paying only $300 a month in rent.

How did the job opportunities look like for software engineers in 2020?

In 2020, there were abundant job opportunities for software engineers, with the speaker receiving LinkedIn messages from recruiters twice a day.

What was the common perception of the tech industry in 2020?

The common perception was that becoming a software engineer was a path to a grandiose life with high pay, flexibility, challenging work, and prestige.

What is a 'Tech Bro' according to the script?

A 'Tech Bro' is defined as an educated male lacking in social skills who works in tech, often with libertarian views and admiration for Elon Musk or those trying to reinvent existing technologies.

What were the expectations and perks of being a software engineer in 2020?

In 2020, software engineers were expected to learn quickly, had medium productivity with a PR every week, showed up to team meetings, had reasonable flexibility on deadlines, and enjoyed autonomy with their development and testing.

How has the tech industry's perception and reality changed from 2020 to the present?

The industry has shifted from being overvalued to correcting for what makes sense, with less demand for software engineers and a move away from the glamorized lifestyle portrayed in 2020.

What are the new expectations for software engineers in 2024?

In 2024, software engineers are expected to manage time with AI, produce PRs every other day, actively participate in meetings, have less flexibility on deadlines, and experience more micromanagement.

Why should someone still consider becoming a software engineer according to the speaker?

The speaker suggests that one should become a software engineer for the right reasons, such as a passion for problem-solving and learning new technologies, rather than just for the money.

What advice does the speaker give to those considering a career in software engineering?

The speaker advises that the tech industry is still a good choice for those who are competitive, driven, and willing to use new tools like AI to stand out.

Outlines

00:00

💼 The Evolution of Software Engineering Jobs

The paragraph discusses the changing landscape of software engineering jobs. It highlights how software engineers were once overvalued, with junior and mid-level engineers earning high salaries, especially in 2018. The narrative contrasts the glamorous portrayal of tech jobs on social media with the actual hard work and dedication required to succeed in the field. The speaker shares their personal experience as a junior engineer in 2018, enjoying a flexible work schedule and the ability to live abroad while working remotely. The paragraph also addresses the current state of the job market, suggesting that while the tech industry may not be as lucrative as it once was, it still offers competitive compensation and benefits, such as free food and a certain level of flexibility.

05:01

🛠️ Adjusting to the New Normal in Tech

This paragraph delves into the shift from the highly flexible and lenient work environment of 2020 to the more demanding and structured expectations of the present. The speaker notes that software engineers now have to manage their time with AI tools, produce more frequent code contributions, and actively participate in meetings to showcase their technical skills. The paragraph emphasizes the loss of flexibility regarding deadlines and the increased pressure to meet tighter schedules. The speaker suggests that while the tech industry may not value software engineers as highly as before, the job still offers a decent quality of life compared to other professions, and it's important for those in the field to adapt to these changes and work harder to maintain their positions.

10:02

🚀 Staying Competitive in the Tech Industry

The final paragraph focuses on the importance of staying competitive in the tech industry. The speaker advises that becoming a software engineer should be driven by passion for problem-solving and learning new technologies, rather than just for the money. They acknowledge that the industry has normalized from the overvaluation of previous years, and while it may not offer the same level of work-life balance or perks as before, it still provides a solid compensation and lifestyle. The speaker encourages aspiring software engineers to embrace the use of AI and new tools to stand out and remain driven to excel in their careers.

Keywords

💡Software Engineer

A software engineer is a professional who applies the principles of software engineering to design, develop, maintain, test, and evaluate computer software. In the video, the role is discussed in the context of its evolution and the changing expectations and demands within the tech industry. The script reflects on the experiences of a software engineer from 2018 to 2020, highlighting the shift from a job with high compensation and perks to a more normalized work environment.

💡Tech Bro

The term 'Tech Bro' is used colloquially to describe a certain stereotype of a male tech worker, often characterized by a lack of social skills and an affinity for libertarian views or tech moguls like Elon Musk. The video script uses this term to discuss the overvaluation and subsequent correction of software engineers' compensation packages, as well as the public perception of tech workers.

💡Compensation Packages

Compensation packages refer to the total pay and benefits an employee receives. The video discusses how software engineers were once offered extravagant compensation packages, including high salaries and additional perks. It contrasts the past with the present, where the industry is undergoing a correction, leading to more normalized compensation levels.

💡Work-Life Balance

Work-life balance is the equilibrium between an individual's work and personal life. The script touches on the perception that tech jobs, particularly for software engineers, once offered an ideal work-life balance with flexible hours and remote work opportunities. However, it suggests that this balance is now shifting towards a more traditional job structure.

💡Remote Work

Remote work is the ability to perform one's job responsibilities from a location other than the traditional office setting. The video script mentions the benefits of remote work, such as the protagonist's experience of living in Greece while working for a Chicago-based startup, as an example of the perks that were once prevalent in the tech industry.

💡Productivity

Productivity in the context of the video refers to the efficiency and effectiveness of a software engineer in completing tasks and contributing to the team. It contrasts the expectations of productivity in 2020, where a 'medium' level was acceptable, with the increased demands for higher productivity in 2024, exemplified by the expectation to push out more code reviews (PRs) frequently.

💡AI Tools

AI tools, such as GitHub Copilot, are mentioned in the script as technologies that software engineers must adapt to and utilize for increasing productivity. The video suggests that the integration of AI in the workflow has changed the nature of software engineering, requiring engineers to manage their time and tasks differently.

💡Market Correction

Market correction in the video refers to the adjustment of software engineers' valuation and compensation to more sustainable levels after an initial overvaluation. The script suggests that the tech industry is normalizing after a period of unusually high pay and perks, aligning with broader economic patterns.

💡Job Security

Job security is the likelihood of continued employment and the absence of frequent layoffs or job losses. The script implies that with the market correction, there might be less job security for software engineers, as the industry becomes more competitive and demanding.

💡Micromanagement

Micromanagement is a management style where a manager closely observes or controls the work of their employees, often to a excessive degree. The video script suggests that with the shift in the tech industry, software engineers may experience more micromanagement, as opposed to the autonomy they once enjoyed.

💡Passion for Problem Solving

The script emphasizes the importance of having a genuine passion for problem-solving as a reason to become a software engineer, rather than just chasing high compensation. It suggests that a love for the intellectual challenges of the job can help sustain a software engineer's motivation and career longevity.

Highlights

Software engineers were previously overvalued, and the current market is adjusting to a more realistic valuation.

In 2018, junior engineers were receiving unusually high salaries, with some making $300,000-$500,000.

The speaker's personal experience as a new graduate in 2018, enjoying a remote job with a good work-life balance.

In 2020, the job market for software engineers was flush with opportunities, with recruiters frequently reaching out.

The allure of becoming a software engineer was tied to high pay, flexibility, challenge, and prestige.

The definition of a 'tech bro' and the cultural perception of them as overpaid and lacking social skills.

The reality behind the glamorous portrayal of tech bros on social media, which often omits the hard work involved.

The expectations of software engineers in 2020 included quick learning, medium productivity, and reasonable flexibility.

The shift in expectations for software engineers by 2024, with increased demands and less flexibility.

The necessity to adapt to AI tools to increase productivity in the current software engineering landscape.

The new expectation to perform more frequent code reviews and participate actively in meetings.

The reduced autonomy in development and testing, with more micromanagement and tighter deadlines.

The market normalization and the adjustment from a unicorn-like scenario to a more typical job environment.

The argument that becoming a software engineer should be driven by passion for problem-solving and learning, not just money.

Despite the changes, software engineering still offers competitive compensation and benefits.

The importance of using AI and staying competitive to stand out in the current tech job market.

The final advice on considering a career in software engineering, weighing the current market conditions and personal passion.

Transcripts

software Engineers were being overvalued

before and now we're just correcting for

what makes sense this was probably

closer to what the expectation was back

in 2018 everybody was just throwing

money at you these so-called Tech Bros

were making upwards of 300,000 400,000

and even half a million dollar as Junior

and mid-level Engineers this is me back

in 2018 a fresh new grad from W Madison

I had just landed a job as a junior

engineer at a data analytics startup in

Chicago and it was fully remote at the

time I got to travel and live in Greece

making $75,000 a year while paying $300

a month in rent which was insane to me

at the time my hours were flexible and

every evening I got to explore the rich

culture of a beautiful European city

life was good to say the least 2020 was

more about like having so many job

opportunities like I would get LinkedIn

messages from recruiters like twice per

day it was great especially considering

where we are now you're probably in a

position where you were told that

becoming a software engineer was the

answer to having this grandiose life a

life of flexibility High pay the ability

to challenge yourself and even carry a

little bit of prestige that came along

with the title so I wanted to talk about

whether or not there's still some truth

to that narrative can you still make

$300,000 total compensation packages in

the Bay Area and even eat free food on a

freaking campus what's my honest advice

about becoming a software engineer right

now well let's break it

down to start we need to define a tech

bro what the heck is a tech bro let's

find out so an educated male lacking in

social skills who also happens to work

in Tech many of them are Libertarians of

course who SIM for Elon Musk and or

people trying to reinvent the wheel with

some dumb new technology and then the

example they give this

is the tech bro with this new blor score

3,000 people will easily be able to get

around the city without a car Alice says

please stop trying to reinvent the train

so that's an IDE what a tech bro is

clearly Tech Bros have a bad rap but

deep down they were the Envy of the

internet these so-called Tech Bros were

making upwards of 300,000 400,000 and

sometimes even half a million dollars as

Junior and mid-level Engineers they were

making Day in the Life videos about how

amazing their lives were how they barely

did any work and how they went on lavish

vacations all the time I mean seriously

when do they even work but here's the

thing social media doesn't always show

the entire picture we all know that when

you see these glamorous videos of people

coasting by in Tech and making a lot of

money there's actually a lot of Blood

Sweat and Tears that go into the whole

process that isn't actually being shown

to earn that coveted Tech bro label you

typically have to go to a good

University study leak code for hours go

through several rounds of interviews and

then keep up with the demands of work

and politics long enough to get promoted

now I'm not defending Tech Pros

necessarily I'm just saying that there's

a lot more to it than eating free food

and getting massages every day at work

and I hate to say it but most people

would hate actually doing the work

required to get these glamorous jobs the

perks actually make it look easier than

it is so what does this have to do with

becoming a software engineer now well

first I'm just trying to create

transparency over what it felt like to

be a software engineer back in 2020

people have a very distorted view of the

market today because they didn't really

know what was going on back then all

they had for reference was the videos

they were watching online which again

was overg glamorized the common Tech bro

even though it's cringey to admit was

actually creating some sort of value

otherwise Zuckerberg wouldn't bother

paying his Engineers upwards of $500,000

a year don't be fooled by the

relatability content for working 2 hours

a day and dragging yourself out of bed

to actually get to work at 11:00 a.m.

that's not actually true okay so is it a

good idea to become a software engineer

now what all has changed between then

and now well a lot and a little as we

mentioned earlier the tech firm life

wasn't exactly what we expected this was

probably closer to what the expectation

was back in 2018 oh wait you guys can't

see that hold on one

second okay so this was closer to the

expectation learning quickly and

managing time with your manager so in

2020 you were expected to learn quickly

as is any software engineer but honestly

you weren't necessarily expected to

learn at a pace where you were working

extra hours there was more flexibility

around that next one medium productivity

so that means a PR every week and I

think every week is probably not that

much it really depends on your team too

but having a couple PRS a week I think

that would indicate okay you're

semi-productive on the team you could

Coast to some extent but of course you

still need to have an understanding of

the code base and learn and participate

in those weekly discussions with your

team next show up to the team meetings

and participate in conversations again

this is kind of self-explanatory you

just participate in the conversations

just observe what's going on a lot of

times actually even the first two years

of my career I didn't really speak much

in meetings and I did get feedback that

I should speak more but when I didn't

really have much to say I mean I did my

work I showed up on time I didn't really

have much to say there reasonable

flexibility on deadlines also honestly

there was a lot of reasonable

flexibility back in 2020 I think if

something wasn't going to get done and

you communicated with your manager the

manager would be really good about

allowing you to push the deadline back

now not so much and lastly autonomy with

your development and testing so again

back then you had a lot more freedom

over how your work was going to get done

and when it was going to get done again

the when part is more about that and

movable deadline but how you get your

work done was totally up to you you

could work asynchronous a lot of times

you didn't really have to show up to all

meetings if you didn't feel like they

were relevant there wasn't that much

accountability in terms of time spent at

the job but there was a little bit more

accountability on what work you ended up

getting done so that was totally up to

you okay so how exactly has this changed

so now you no longer get to manage time

with your manager you need to manage

your time with AI I think that's really

important kind of also self-explanatory

AI is taking the market like a storm so

you need to know how to use tools like

co-pilot like Aug looop like all these

different internal tools that your

company will probably use try to use

that to 10x your productivity okay now

because of

AI you can no longer do PRS every week

you have to do PRS pretty much every

other day honestly so probably four to

five times a week you probably can't

read my writing but four to five times a

week for PRS I think that's pretty

normal especially given that you're

using AI tooling that's the new

expectation you can no longer just show

up to these meetings you actually have

to participate in them and you have to

actually bring a lot of value in terms

of system design in terms of programming

all of these technical skills are now

something that you have to Showcase out

loud to your teammates and the

reasonable flexibility on deadlines you

can say goodbye to that because that's

no longer the

case now deadlines are a lot tighter and

you're not going to get as much leniency

you're most likely going to have to come

up with a very valid excuse if you have

to push the deadline back otherwise

you're going to have to talk to your

manager manager to help them understand

what's going on so if that means working

longer hours typically that's the

case and lastly autonomy with your

development and testing say goodbye to

that because you're going to be

micromanaged a lot more so that's kind

of the biggest difference with that

aspect you're going to want to get used

to someone breathing down your neck and

I think that's a normal part of the

process especially when you're working

in a market that doesn't value you as

much

anymore so you might look at these

differences and think okay what's the

point why would I want to be a software

engineer when seems like so much more

effort to make the same amount of money

that people were making just 2 years ago

doing 20% less well you could think

about it like this the market that we

were in before was a unicorn that wasn't

normal people were making tons of money

they were traveling they had no

accountability and of course I don't

want to negate what I said earlier the

tech Bros did make it seem too good to

be true and there was still a lot of

work to be done you didn't have to study

do elad code problems to get into these

tough companies once you had the job

though conditions were a lot better than

a lot of other professions you didn't

have to show up for 24 hours a day like

a doctor and you didn't have to spend

hours after work looking at briefs like

a lawyer you did have a lot of

flexibility and autonomy and freedom now

if you think about it it just feels like

a normal job that's the main thing

that's changed right there's less demand

for you and so you're treated as such

and that's just a normal thing in the

market and I think we have to come to

terms with that it may get better over

time but I don't want to promise

something that I actually don't have any

control over either i' really hope like

in the in two three years we're like

done with the layoffs and we are back to

not the 2020 phase I don't know if that

will ever happen again but like go back

to some sort of normaly so that's kind

of the way that you can look at it where

the market has just normalized it hasn't

gotten worse and if you keep that

positive mindset it'll help you find a

job moving forward so the question we've

all been asking ourselves is it still

worth it to stay in Tech and my humble

opinion yes it still is hear me out the

main thing is you should stay in this

industry for the right reasons we've

already seen the people that have joined

Tech just for the money so the biggest

perk I would say working in Tech I would

say the money like I know somebody else

might tell you like it's so exciting to

problem solve like okay it's all great

but if I have to pick one thing like I

think money is great that my friends is

the wrong reason sure you'll make money

in the beginning but you'll work for 5

years until finally you realize that

you're burnt out you're not enjoying the

work and you hate your co-workers only

do it if you're somewhat passionate

about solving problems every day and

learning new technologies pretty often

because this is the type of job where

you're going to continuously learn new

things I know there's different levels

to software engineering but because

things come out so quickly sometimes

Junior Engineers might be the experts

compared to principal engineers and

you'll just have to get used to that now

that being said we did go over the new

expectations for being a software

engineer in 2024 yes it's going to feel

more like a job than an everyday party

but honestly it should feel like a job

software Engineers were being overvalued

before and now we're just correcting for

what makes sense you'll still be

compensated well you'll still get free

food if you're in the Bay Area and

you'll still have a decent amount of

flexibility for context when I started

in the industry I could not even work

from home for a single day I had to sit

in traffic for 1 hour a day each way

every single day I know the horror the

fact is what we have today is still a

luxury but in order to keep this luxury

you just have to work a little bit

harder to get it it's not dissimilar to

being a doctor a lawyer or psychologist

those jobs are actually a lot more

physically demanding and in terms of

your hours spent a lot more demanding on

that side as well yes like Tech may not

have great work life balance or at least

the image of a great work life balance

but when you compare it to other

Industries other jobs it is actually

pretty solid you it can get better than

this in my opinion in this rule you'll

just have to show that you're more

competitive and driven to actually get

things done a little bit quicker than

you're normally used to and again you

also have to be driven to use new tools

um AI to stand out from the crowd so

those are my two cents on what it's like

to be a software engineer and if you

should become one if you were thinking

about it so hopefully my advice helped

I'll see you in the next one