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do you regret going into computer science?
for those who are software engineers- is there work life balance? is working on a computer for most of the day draining?
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5 answers
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Joe’s Answer
Personally, I've never regretted my decision to have this be my career. I've been a software engineer, architect since 1978 and loved it ever since. It has been a very rewarding career choice for me, both in terms of satisfaction with what I am able to work on, the innovation that is waiting to be tapped, the pay, the flexible work hours, etc.
Updated
Alicia’s Answer
Hi there!!
As a female in technology, I don’t necessarily regret it. What I do regret is working for large companies that view me as a work horse (individual contributor) instead of a leader on a trajectory.
As for work life balance, it is definitely hard at first. Working your first job, or two, trying to find a balance between the job and home life. Something I’ve found helpful is the moment work is finished, usually around 5, unless you have deployments.
Deployments are times when code gets pushed to higher environments. For example, production is what the average person sees and sometimes that’s where deploying code goes.
Sorry, got a bit distracted with explaining. With work in mind, you have to learn to put work down and not feel the need to be doing it 24/7. My husband used to struggle with this. But he believes in work life integration.
Work life integration is the ability to incorporate your personal hobbies with work. For example, my husband does at home projects using different coding languages to improve his knowledge so he is more successful at work.
It’s just a choice of whether or not you want to be constantly improving your skills or potentially relaxing without work in mind.
As for draining, I find my company draining. I don’t find being on the computer all day everyday draining. Once you work for a company, you’ll find that there are certain scenarios that make you fatigued. Sometimes Zoom/Teams meetings can be reallllllllyyyyyy draining. Back to back hour long meetings can be draining. So if you find yourself in a situation like this, definitely let your manager know and they can help alleviate any distraction meetings.
As a female in technology, I don’t necessarily regret it. What I do regret is working for large companies that view me as a work horse (individual contributor) instead of a leader on a trajectory.
As for work life balance, it is definitely hard at first. Working your first job, or two, trying to find a balance between the job and home life. Something I’ve found helpful is the moment work is finished, usually around 5, unless you have deployments.
Deployments are times when code gets pushed to higher environments. For example, production is what the average person sees and sometimes that’s where deploying code goes.
Sorry, got a bit distracted with explaining. With work in mind, you have to learn to put work down and not feel the need to be doing it 24/7. My husband used to struggle with this. But he believes in work life integration.
Work life integration is the ability to incorporate your personal hobbies with work. For example, my husband does at home projects using different coding languages to improve his knowledge so he is more successful at work.
It’s just a choice of whether or not you want to be constantly improving your skills or potentially relaxing without work in mind.
As for draining, I find my company draining. I don’t find being on the computer all day everyday draining. Once you work for a company, you’ll find that there are certain scenarios that make you fatigued. Sometimes Zoom/Teams meetings can be reallllllllyyyyyy draining. Back to back hour long meetings can be draining. So if you find yourself in a situation like this, definitely let your manager know and they can help alleviate any distraction meetings.
Updated
Olga’s Answer
Hi~!
In terms of draining, I do think it depends. For me, I like problem solving and creating things in computers very much. But I do know that is extremely boring for some of my friends. To find it out, you might need to really experience coding a project out - there are a lot of resources online, for example, udemy or edx's CS50. They don't cost much. CS50 is free.
In terms of work-life balance. I'm having my best work-life balance now. No longer than 8 hrs per day. Actually, we plan work for 6 hrs per day the most.
As a female, I received a lot of discrimination when I was in other industries (literature, public relationship, investment bank), but just doing really well here at a tech company as a software engineer. My voice is respected here. Very limited office politics. Innovation is highly encouraged - we even have a garage (maker space) offering free pizza once a week!
The paycheck allows me to live a good life as well.
Promotion is based on performance, so a long-lasting curiosity to what I don't know at work is a must. -- maybe that's a thing stopping a lot of people, like, if they want to only work for 2 hours per day and not paying any further attention IMAO.
But for me, what else I can ask for~~
In terms of draining, I do think it depends. For me, I like problem solving and creating things in computers very much. But I do know that is extremely boring for some of my friends. To find it out, you might need to really experience coding a project out - there are a lot of resources online, for example, udemy or edx's CS50. They don't cost much. CS50 is free.
In terms of work-life balance. I'm having my best work-life balance now. No longer than 8 hrs per day. Actually, we plan work for 6 hrs per day the most.
As a female, I received a lot of discrimination when I was in other industries (literature, public relationship, investment bank), but just doing really well here at a tech company as a software engineer. My voice is respected here. Very limited office politics. Innovation is highly encouraged - we even have a garage (maker space) offering free pizza once a week!
The paycheck allows me to live a good life as well.
Promotion is based on performance, so a long-lasting curiosity to what I don't know at work is a must. -- maybe that's a thing stopping a lot of people, like, if they want to only work for 2 hours per day and not paying any further attention IMAO.
But for me, what else I can ask for~~
Updated
Tom’s Answer
Working behind a screen most of the day can be draining, but if you are doing something you enjoy it can be invigorating at the same time. I enjoy making things and solving problems that others can't, so I accept the mental strain of it and try to find that balance in how I live. I stay active at the gym and try not to let work get the best of me.
Can there be issues with work life balance, absolutely, but that depends more on the company and the job then the career, probably every job description out there you can find positions that will drive you into the ground, and ones that will properly fill the balance needed.
If you like programming and enjoy almost daily challenges, then development might be the right career path for you.
Hope that helps someone out there.
Can there be issues with work life balance, absolutely, but that depends more on the company and the job then the career, probably every job description out there you can find positions that will drive you into the ground, and ones that will properly fill the balance needed.
If you like programming and enjoy almost daily challenges, then development might be the right career path for you.
Hope that helps someone out there.
Updated
D’s Answer
Nope. I can't think of doing anything else for a living. Work-Life balance is for one to make it: even when fresh out of college...