Software Engineering Sucks

Summary

The speaker candidly discusses the reality of being a software engineer, dispelling the myth that it's a dream job. Despite earning a significant salary, they found the role isolating and overhyped, focusing more on technical problem-solving than impactful user experiences. They argue that software engineering is misrepresented, often seen as a prestigious career without acknowledging its demanding and sometimes thankless nature. The speaker encourages authenticity in career choices, advocating for pursuing interests over societal pressures or financial incentives, and shares their personal transition from software engineering to sales engineering, emphasizing the importance of finding fulfillment in one's work.

Takeaways

• 😀 The speaker humorously claims to make $175 billion per year as a software engineer, highlighting the absurdity of such a high figure.
• 💼 The average total compensation for a software engineer at Facebook is around $196,000, with the speaker receiving approximately $190,000.
• 🌐 The speaker discusses the societal and cultural pressures that lead many, especially those from immigrant backgrounds, to pursue software engineering.
• 🚀 The profession is often marketed as a way to make a significant impact and solve real-world problems, which the speaker argues is a misconception.
• 🛠️ Software engineers typically deal with technical implementations rather than directly solving human problems, which can be a shock for new entrants.
• 😓 The speaker experienced a decline in social skills due to the isolating nature of the job, emphasizing the importance of work-life balance.
• 💬 There's a stark contrast between the glamorous image of software engineering and the reality of long hours spent debugging and maintaining code.
• 🏆 Despite the high pay, the speaker feels that software engineering is often undervalued and overlooked by other departments within a company.
• 💡 The speaker encourages individuals to pursue their interests and not be swayed by societal expectations or the lure of a high salary.
• 🔄 The transition out of software engineering can be challenging and time-consuming, but it's essential to find a career path that aligns with personal interests and values.

Q & A

What is the speaker's stance on income transparency?

The speaker believes in income transparency and openly shares their salary as a software engineer.

What is the average total compensation for a software engineer at Facebook according to the speaker?

The average total compensation for a software engineer at Facebook is stated to be around $196,000.

Why does the speaker claim that the job of a software engineer is overrated?

The speaker argues that the job is overrated because it is often marketed as a way to solve human problems directly, but in reality, software engineers mostly deal with the technical implementation of solutions that have already been defined by business people.

How does the speaker describe the social skills of software engineers?

The speaker suggests that software engineers may experience a decline in social skills due to the nature of their work, which often involves long periods of solitary problem-solving and interaction primarily through digital means.

What is the 'on call' responsibility mentioned by the speaker, and why is it challenging?

The 'on call' responsibility refers to the expectation that software engineers must be available to fix technical issues as they arise, often immediately, which can be challenging due to the constant pressure and the need for immediate response regardless of personal time or circumstances.

Why does the speaker feel that software engineering is not for everyone?

The speaker feels that software engineering is not for everyone because it requires a specific interest in problem-solving and technical work, and it often comes with high stress, long hours, and a lack of social interaction.

What is the 'Holy Grail' vision the speaker had for their future as a software engineer?

The 'Holy Grail' vision the speaker had was the idea of working at a prestigious tech company, making a significant impact, and earning a high salary, which was influenced by the hype and marketing around software engineering.

How does the speaker feel about the marketing of software engineering jobs?

The speaker criticizes the marketing of software engineering jobs as misleading, suggesting that it often overpromises the impact and satisfaction one will get from the job, focusing on high salaries and prestige rather than the actual day-to-day work.

What advice does the speaker give to those who may not enjoy their job as a software engineer?

The speaker advises those who do not enjoy their job as a software engineer to be honest with themselves and not feel guilty about not liking the job. They encourage exploring other interests and finding a career path that aligns more with personal enjoyment and fulfillment.

How long did it take the speaker to transition out of software engineering into a different career?

The speaker mentions that it took almost two full years to settle into a new career after leaving their software engineering job.

What is the speaker's current career after leaving software engineering?

The speaker transitioned into sales engineering, which they find to be a more fulfilling career path.