Having kids in 3 years - Do I need to become a software engineer?

dfa wrote:

exfaang, you seem younger than me (mid 30's for myself), perhaps a L4.

As someone who was last a L7 at FAANG, I'd really, really not recommend people to join this profession especially if they are not at least somewhat talented in quantative disciplines.They are going to write sh*t code, and get washed out, constantly churn jr level jobs.

Also, learn how finance / financing works before making dumb comments like Lambda school is free. Read up on what ISAs are. Actually learn to read term sheets instead of babbling and potentially misleading bright eyed laymen into an industry that's already full of souless monkeys.

OP, listen to this man. Don't go chasing an outdated dream, when the out-sourcing and H1B visa system is full-steam ahead. Trump even said he wants to bring in more tech immigrants than ever before.

Keep your current job, and don't waste a bunch of energy re-learning a new career based on 10 year old wisdom. Coders are fleeing for their lives to find another career, especially ones who aren't geniuses.

You can't compete with the best from the 2 billion people in India and China, who all jump to do coding in the US for less than what you're making now.

And don't get so caught up in dollar amount that you forget about the quality of your work life. You'll be sick of coding and all the job insecurity after a year or two anyway.

Listen to these people in the field, and de-program yourself from 10 year old wisdom that gets less wise every 6 months.

dfa wrote:

exfaang, you seem younger than me (mid 30's for myself), perhaps a L4.

As someone who was last a L7 at FAANG, I'd really, really not recommend people to join this profession especially if they are not at least somewhat talented in quantative disciplines.They are going to write sh*t code, and get washed out, constantly churn jr level jobs.

Also, learn how finance / financing works before making dumb comments like Lambda school is free. Read up on what ISAs are. Actually learn to read term sheets instead of babbling and potentially misleading bright eyed laymen into an industry that's already full of souless monkeys.

What do you mean about sh*t code, washed out, etc? Are you saying that the average guy who reskills with a boot camp?

Why wouldn’t you recommend the profession?

I work as SWE at a bank. It’s boring work but I’m slowly gaining more skills and making solid money for only working 40 hours a week. It’s def soulless. But it’s a good skill to have because you can always get a job. And you can work remote if you want.

Why does everyone who wants to make quick money think software Engineer is the answer? #learntocode movement I guess.

I'm tired of being a software developer myself. How do I become a surgeon in 3 years? I heard they make good money.

In my experience, the engineers making the most money are the ones that went out and got fake master's degrees in things like project management or engineering management. They basically sit around all day and attend meetings that don't need to be had in the first place, but they get paid a lot of money to do it. Maybe look into that route because software engineering is just like a lot of other jobs. It's a 2% raise per year and after 30 years you'll be doing the exact same thing. There's usually no track to become a partner or a fellow or anything like that. You'll just be a worker bee.

How good are you at marketing?

You can crush in pharmaceutical advertising if you have some science background and are a good marketing writer.

If that's more interesting direct your efforts there. Mostly hang onto as much money as you can.

As someone who works in the industry, signs are suggesting that the bottom will drop out of the Seattle real estate market in the next few years. It's a beautiful city (counter to what a few folks on the board will say), and I suspect you'll have the opportunity to buy for 30% off in the next few years if you play your cards right. There are plenty of couples in my North Seattle neighborhood that are a teacher and a stay-at-home parent, who timed it right a dozen years back.

Accounting. Good pay and simple.

OP - sounds like you need to develop a roadmap to leverage your current position into jumping up a level to something similar at a bigger company for more $$. Target that 1-2yrs out and be moved and settling in by the time your babies start coming. Your strongest asset is your work history and ability to sell yourself as you are now, not who you want to be (ie. a now-mid-career guy trying to jump into SWE).

In the meantime, while you're still coasting, find a way to make a little extra cash. Something flexible for the next few years and stash that money for the tough times. Your wife should have good benefits through the school for maternity leave, but don't doubt that costs will appear at some point in the early years of your kid's(s') lives. Having an extra $10k+ set aside and earmarked for that will be nice.

Lastly - hold onto your rental as long as possible. You've got a long time you can survive in 2Bd. Stash cash either for life needs or for an eventual down payment. Don't plan to move fast anytime soon with a hot real estate market. My parents just paid $960k for 1100sq ft 2Bd north of you. F*CK!

I find it hard to believe coders are fleeing to other jobs. 3 of my closest friends - 2 with BA degrees and 1 with only a high school education all took a 1 year intensive program and are all making great coin right now in very secure jobs. They're definitely not sick of coding and definitely making far more than me.

Because a decently smart person could get an entry level dev job after 1-2 years of intensive study. It would take you 10+ years to become a surgeon. The ROI is amazing. Plus lots of demand, good money etc.

software guy wrote:

Why does everyone who wants to make quick money think software Engineer is the answer? #learntocode movement I guess.

I'm tired of being a software developer myself. How do I become a surgeon in 3 years? I heard they make good money.

Thanks I think this is fairly good advice and was my plan B

Look into Salesforce Administration. You can do some trailheads and get certifications and that will get you in the door at a decent amount of places. Entry level salary is probably around $60,000 in Seattle and the growth potential is pretty good. I live in a smaller, less expensive city and earn $85,000 with 3 years of experience. I make more than my engineering and developer friends with the same amount of experience. Salesforce architects can make more that $150,000.

But most importantly (for me), it’s a fun job. You get to solve a lot of complex problems, but because the product is so good, you don’t have to deal with coding and writing test classes etc.

Hmm this is really intriguing! Just looked up the training program. I LOVE the idea of mastering a certain program and becoming the expert and go-to guy in that!

Just a person wrote:

Look into Salesforce Administration. You can do some trailheads and get certifications and that will get you in the door at a decent amount of places. Entry level salary is probably around $60,000 in Seattle and the growth potential is pretty good. I live in a smaller, less expensive city and earn $85,000 with 3 years of experience. I make more than my engineering and developer friends with the same amount of experience. Salesforce architects can make more that $150,000.

But most importantly (for me), it’s a fun job. You get to solve a lot of complex problems, but because the product is so good, you don’t have to deal with coding and writing test classes etc.

swe profession feels like being a member of a cult sometimes