Day in the Life as an Amazon Software Engineer | Burnout & Oncall

[@irinas4100]

I have felt that way about my job twice. Both times it was mainly because of how i was being treated and under appreciated, on top of a crazy amount of workload. Breaks do help a little but if the managers or team members are making us feel like this, then it will keep going. If the environment is toxic, no vacation can help. Changing a position/team could help or a completely new job. Less stressful, more project ownership, more appreciation is what we all deserve. Sending you love ❤

[@RR-et6zp]

you should see how its like working on oil rigs or infrastructure then, lol. You already have a ton of benefits

[@irinas4100]

@@RR-et6zp that doesn’t make our emotions on the job less real, less important or less stressful. There is always something worse, but there is always also something much better and we should strive to have it if possible.

[@RR-et6zp]

your mistake is believing in blank slate equalism @@irinas4100

[@dev77cmd]

@@RR-et6zpThey keep laying off people and on the other side, they put this gigantic workload and stress on the people that are still working for them. How about NOT laying off people so that the workload is evenly distributed and no one burns out from too much work?

[@anitaanita556]

Frommalaysiath

[@DJ-unome]

Your videos are very calming and very enjoyable. Love the honesty in your struggle, it happens. Down time is a must, make sure you have yours.

[@amyfaurote1488]

I quit my job when I was burned out. Worked like a charm. Good luck and Happy New Year 🎊. Peace 🕊️

[@guhreenskittles]

My worst burnout resulted in doctor visits and migraines. I had Kaiser instructed classes on how to manage burnout that helped shift my mindset but my migraines were still a problem. When I let go of high work expectations, I was able to better manage my migraines.

[@andrepeng9480]

👋former Amazon SDE here. Like you, I also faced burnout and stress from away-team projects, where ownership is tough to demonstrate since the design was instead just handed to you without discussion. I reflected on why I was feeling stressed, so I hope these questions help you understand your situation better too: - Do I find my projects fulfilling? What's my definition of a fulfilling project / career? - Do my manager and tech leads create a positive environment for others to escalate concerns? Do they offer support, or does it feel like they are fighting you instead? - What are my productivity blockers? And how do I remove them so that I may work-backwards more effectively, whether on my own or with my team? Good luck, and take care!

[@jeanwangg]

I've been severely burnt out a lot throughout the years and the thing that helps is honestly to take a long break, like long enough to not worry about catching back up with work and not checking in to seriously rest mentally. I didn't take any days off in 2023 and decided to take a month off at the end of the year to do a week long medical wellness retreat for my declining health and just go back home to do nothing basically and reset my life for the next year. Once you taste freedom, it really helps reset yourself and hopefully you'd want to build more boundaries as to what you're spending your energy and time on moving forward to protect your inner peace.

[@paulaa5866]

as a student and at work, accepting that sometimes I can't do my full potential and need time to do the bare minimum helps. I understand that in a big corporate work maybe it's different, but fighting those emotions of exhaustion will not favour you in any shape of form. try and find what causes a bigger dread, accept that it does and try and find a nice and warm way to tackle the problem even if it means letting it be. I hope new years is a calm day and you start the year rested! I love the vlog, it was very cosy :)💜

[@imjenncho]

appreciate the kind words 🫶🏻 happy new year!

[@phamxuankhoaa]

@@imjenncho 🫶

[@christinehorn9751]

When I’m burned out, I push pause and assess what I’m doing. What am I doing and why am I doing it? What is my reason and drive to do it? Then I ask myself of the things that are going wrong, what could I have done differently to prevent them and/or change the outcome. Ultimately it comes down to me reassessing my purpose for what I’m doing and why I’m doing it and re-establishing my safe and healthy boundaries which often do need adjustment. Best of luck to you dear! I’m right there with you.

[@imjenncho]

thank you for sharing your experience here and the encouraging words 🫶 happy new year

[@ChristmasSpirit606]

hi Jenn, i really really live your videos, the way you talk is peaceful and gentle, it calms me. i admire people like you who still talk and look calm when internally they struggle with burnout and stress. i'm a lot older than you, i remember the first a couple of jobs i had gave me burnouts and most of it is mental wise instead of physical wise, the same as how you're feeling now. i sometimes would cry, sometimes if i really need to , i scream in my room. if it continues, i'll just quit hope it helps. i wish you all the best. and i'm really glad you uploaded new video, and i mean it. if you could, we all would love to see you up your frequency. :)) but yeah, decompress comes first for you at this stage.

[@imjenncho]

loved reading this, thank you for the kinds words 🫶 excited to share more in the new year :)

[@absolutelyworstnycvlog]

I 100% agree that cooking is a great de-stressing tool. I do that myself a lot and I also do like to improvise.

[@lonnie-rs8km]

She has the sweetest disposition

[@DAG_M]

I start to think every job will cause a burn-out. It s just not sustainable to do the same things over and over again until you are retired. Career or job switch will help only for a while, yet we still wake up and go through this. I have no idea what to do. Even on my days off i constantly think i will be back to work in a blink of an eye.

[@thisisholti]

Good to see that I’m not the only one, who use cooking to reduce the stress of coding throughout the day. For me, I have learned not to let some things get so close to me. Have a good start to 2024 and I hope you’re feeling good!

[@masqueradeee]

Corporate life sucks I'm also on on call on 30 and 31st weekend :( definitely have to find some other ways to make money I don't see myself working in IT for the rest of my life even though it's been 2 years since i have joined I feel often burnedout feels like this isn't actually where I wanna be need to start changing things for good

[@AbiTheEngineer]

I had such bad burnout last year and personal circumstances made things so much worse. This year, to combat burnout, I decided to take breaks more often and do things I loved (for me that was travel). It really helped me a lot! I visited 6 countries this year! Maybe it'll help if you took more breaks and go somewhere!

[@nickbravos5473]

Hey Jenn -- glad to see my cat isn't the only one who likes to post up on desks while their person works. I appreciated the honest chat around burnout. I'm also in tech (on the design side), and 2023 felt like an especially draining year, so I hear you and can empathize with everything you said. I don't think there's any one true panacea for burnout, at least not one that I've found. You showed exercise as a part of your usual routine. For me, I upped my 3x per week to 5x. Not only did I find movement was medicine for me, but having goals to strive for outside of work was a nice change of pace that I welcomed. The added visibility in the gym lead me to find more communities for me to be a part by happenstance. I started seeing the same people everyday and now have nice and light relationships with new people. That hour or so to joke around, sweat, and release - I think that was what really helped me combat burnout.

[@habibi750]

Jenn, balancing a full-time job, motherhood 🐱, fitness classes, and KZbin content creation is indeed demanding. It's natural to feel overwhelmed. My own experience involved working 55 hours weekly, prioritizing work and resting on weekends. While I was mentally stable, I wasn't at my best. Recognizing the need for change, I reduced my work hours to a maximum of 40 per week, picked up a new hobby, and began training for a half Ironman Triathlon. These changes, implemented four months ago, have significantly improved my well-being. Prioritizing personal health and hobbies over work can lead to a more fulfilling and balanced life.

[@chuckfaber7521]

I’ve been burnt out at several jobs, including in tech. Honestly, once it starts it doesn’t really stop even with taking breaks and vacations and such. I personally see it as a sign that I need to make a change, either in role, team, or company. (I had one burn out that made me change careers entirely). One constant is that I have experienced burn out in every job/career/field I’ve been in regardless of how great a job it is. I think it’s something you can try to put off but it’s hard to avoid entirely.

[@nakamiyonemura2001]

They say struggling is part of growth, and 2023 has given me too much growth. I went on a solo short vacay trip to LA and got the courage to quit my job in January. If you haven't figured out an answer to your problem, the answer will come and find you so either way it all works out in the end. Wishing us both a prosperous 2024 🥂

[@imjenncho]

thank you for sharing your experience with me~ it's good to know we can all feel this way at some points in our lives. Wishing you a happy new year as well :) 🥂

[@okapi.3]

omg queen uploaded!! happy new year! hope you can rest more in 2024

[@AemirDillard]

Jennnn, this is so real. Thanks for sharing your experience!

[@lemon8224]

Jenn , thank u so much for sharing ur life. Your vlogs are so inspiring and soothing. And howl is ❤

[@KasiaZ]

This year has been tough on me too and I am experiencing burnout on top of that. I was working a lot before in my previous industry that really tired me out, now I am in tech and what is disheartening is the organization's attitude and lack of personal growth. Not sure if I have even overcome burnout from previous job but what is helping me is shifting perspective, challenging black and white picture, making new connections and new meaningful relations, more time and effort into self-care (not just face masks but like going to pottery class, finding new things I enjoy), started a career journal and learning new things. Asking for help is ok too and seeking support from a specialist that will help navigate through it. All the best to you in New Year, absolutely love your channel and content - it is so soothing and enjoyable to watch

[@DavidAmodt]

Hope you and Howl have a great new years. The burnout can be real just stay strong, talk it out, finding a mental health person to talk it out can help too. Love the blogs so keep up the great work.

[@chisopabanda8261]

Thank you for another upload. Anxiously waiting for your moving vlogs ❤

[@ryanmatthewchen]

End of year tickets def suck esp when half the team is away/OOO! Glad to see you staying busy, love seeing perspectives of other fellow SEs :)

[@ryanmatthewchen]

Also burnout def is common. Work life balance is very huge for me personally in my SE career, so def take some time to yourself as much as possible if you feeling burnt out!

[@labcoatdiaries7657]

I totally feel you regarding year end burnout. Hope you are able to get some rest ❤

[@jameshizon4861]

Much love to you. I felt career depression. Undervalued & feeling like i was taking hits on client & consulting side. On top of this is personal life hits like getting crypto stolen.. Also taking 1 week off. Mental health is a priority. We CAN heal from it thankfully. 😀

[@CapitanTest]

Listening to you it is easy to identify with your problem, we have all gone through moments like this in life. Perhaps the most important thing to know is that these types of problems happen and that the most important thing is to realize that they exist and attack them in a positive and constructive way. As you describe it, there is no enemy on the other side, it all depends on you, and sometimes you learn more from the problems you overcome than from the work you do without effort. Much love and affection from someone who follows you.

[@Chinez]

I find your contents so peaceful & chilly, so I'm definitely subscribing! Happy new year dear!

[@willyanesousa3130]

whenever I'm stressed about what I'm doing and I think taking a few days off will do the trick, it's always a mistake because at the end of it all I know that I will return to the chaotic work routine, so I just resigned and looked for a better work option that didn't become 100% of my life and let me live sometimes attachment to the company and the team weighed in on me not doing this, but the thing is: if I don't take care of myself and do it for myself, my life will always be unhappy 🙁 hope it helps you and I love your vlogs 🤍🤍

[@jackchan370]

May you have a great start to 2024! Thank you Jenn for your sharing. Looking forward to more of your sharing.

[@imjenncho]

happy new year! ✨

[@absolutelyworstnycvlog]

Oh yeah, I quit my last job while on an away team project. I gave them a month to see if maybe they've got something really spectacular to work with and for me to expand my skill set, but nah. It was just too much and I said goodbye. It will be 2 years of semi-retirement in 3 days 🎉🥳

[@EnGieBenGie90]

Get outside to nature and go hike more, fresh air and exercise is the best way to clear the mind. I was working the same job for 8 years and became stuck, noway up or down so left and took on a new career and challenge, so far enjoying it

[@betterdanash]

Found your videos today! They are so calming to watch 🥹

[@CallMeLexis]

also excited for 2024! glad i found your channel as well this year

[@ramses8847]

Amazon engineer who just had a rough oncall week complete w/ COE. We lost a lot of good people on our team and it's making it really hard to care now.

[@iSucrose]

I’m relieved to be on vacation now, as the start of December was quite chaotic at work and I was on the verge of losing my cool. 😂

[@Nekteck]

Thank you for sharing the reality of your usual day. Your honesty about burnout resonates, and it's a reminder to prioritize self-care. Wishing you the strength to overcome challenges, and here's to a healthier, more balanced 2024. Your transparency is appreciated, and your journey is sure to inspire many. 💻🌟

[@p.o.p.presents]

Hey Jenn, your video was like a real life Lo- Fi Hip Hop experience .Such a relaxing vibration. Your voice is calming as well. Every year I take more time off around the Holidays just to reflect and reset to avoid burnout. My weapon against 9 to 5 burnout? Sleep and my dreams. Being a producer and writer energizes me. Happy New Year! P.o.p.

[@joetessier5305]

Good luck with this tough period, take great care and get well soon !!! Thanks for these videos, keep the hard work, i pays off !!! Cheers and happy New Year !! ✌️

[@jovannysanchez]

Yeah end of year doesn't slow down in sales + tech....yeah no lol. Hopefully your burnout get's better Jenn! Something that helps me is just going to the gym and letting it all out there but even then it can still build up. Something I want to do next year is go on a vacation. I don't know where or when but I want to take 1 to 2 weeks off of work and go somewhere new. Leave everything behind and explore a new world. Last time I went was 2019 so I'm long over due. Maybe a trip somewhere can help as well. Excited for next year and for the vlogs! Really happy I discovered your channel this year 😃

[@nahl7867]

So refreshing and happy new year.

[@isurukumarasinghe6894]

Once I faced a shocking moment in my life, and I tried meditation. It helped a lot. The mind is the factor that influences both happiness and sadness. Understanding how the mind works and learning to control it can greatly contribute to staying positive during difficult times. Consider trying yoga or Buddhist meditation techniques; they can be beneficial. While the results may not be immediate, practicing meditation as a daily habit can eventually lead to a clearer mind and a happier disposition throughout the day. This is based on my personal experience so far.😇

[@karygable9919]

Good to see that you still have some time to play with your cat. ♥️ Btw, I work 5x a week in the office and sometimes I also work over the weekend. I also have cats and they are my stress reliever when I go home. 🐈 Take some time to rest, go out with your friends, travel solo. Hope this helps.♥️

[@habibi750]

Happy Holidays to you Jenn and Howl!

[@jer8825]

woohoo another jenn upload!

[@p4r4d0x]

This is so similar to my life, very relatable content, thanks for sharing

[@LiquidJay]

thank you for REAL emotions ... very relatable !!!!!!!!!!!

[@jeremychow4741]

Love your vlogs so much that I have to watch them as soon as you put them out. I don't even do that with other KZbinrs I watch and keep their videos on "Watch later". 😅

[@jlin5459]

Also work at Amazon (on the AWS side). Oncall def is a struggle, our org actually has been getting hit hard since the new year. Thought it would get better in 2024, but it's just gotten worst lmao

[@carolsequeira8310]

Take some time to recharge...hope you feel sorted and have some clarity of how you want to proceed .......Wishing you some good rest and Happy New yr. HWAITING ✊️

[@JSH1994]

You should look for another job! It sounds like your current job isn’t working out for you and maybe another team would be better for your mental health ❤

[@the_millionaire_next_next_door]

Hanging there Jenn. You're the best 👍

[@MrIncognito-bg9hg]

Hi, Jenn! I enjoy your content because it's so relaxing and soothing. It keeps me warm during the cold winter. Your mini tiger is cool too!

[@XSTAYXGOLDX]

@imjenncho back straight, chin up, you are strong. There are better times ahead , focus. Wishing you the best New Year to come. Much love! 🫶🏻

[@imjenncho]

happy new year! thanks for the motivational words :)

[@cozydrowzy]

Gonna study computer science soon, to get into se ^^ grateful for your vids

[@san.d_]

Yes, Developers can't say "I can't do it" or like that. I do like reading books and start a new project(Personal) to enhance knowledge or start to learn something new related to tech.

[@brianruizy]

2 vids same week 🙌

[@imjenncho]

most likely will be the first and last time lol 😂

[@brianruizy]

@@imjenncho 🤣 I feel that

[@Sarabivan]

Burnout and just mental fatigue in general is always tough, no matter the job or circumstances. Please, look after yourselves first and foremost. Putting yourself first sometimes is the best way to make your overall life better. I've always been the type to put other responsibilities and people first, instead of looking after myself and in these last few months it all came to a head in the worst possible way with massive anxiety. Therapy has helped me immensely, but it was a really tough lesson to have to learn and not one that I want anyone else to have to ever experience. Take care! Hope everyone's 2024 goes way better!

[@imjenncho]

thanks for sharing! hearing these insights and experiences really mean a lot to me. regardless of any struggles i had in 2023, looking forward to the new year!

[@ap0c4lyps37]

You should do a desk set up video.

[@Myriam25mariam]

Peacefulness ❤❤

[@Joleb100]

I really enjoy your videos...

[@shakyadissanayaka]

Thank you..!

[@enriquegonzalez6100]

Where can I find keyboard? Looks cool! 😊

[@scigama71]

Take care of yourself first

[@hyeonl3754]

thanks for the video since last month 🙌🏻 i wanna know what is the keyboard you use!

[@AnushaWaves]

Question to my fellow co-operate workers. I recently switched job, I’ve 3yrs of experience and every in team are atleast 10+yrs experienced and super skilled. It makes me feel under valued and that I’m putting more pressure onto myself though my team doesn’t impose anything that way. How do you view this situation if you were in my position?

[@MAAZASAD-n1t]

No meeting fridays FTW

[@ssarahma4627]

How difficult is it to get a software developer/quantitative developer job in the US (New York, Chicago, SF, Seattle, Miami etc)? I am from Europe, have a MSc in engineering physics and financial modeling, have been working with software development and QA (quantitative development and testing a financial risk system) for about 5 years. The US seems very appealing and have great salaries but it might be too much competition for each role?

[@rddavies]

Sounds like having the design being taken away from you was a tough one. To me having person A do "design" while person B does "implementation" is artificial and unrealistic. The line between the two isn't nearly as bright as some might think. A more reasonable approach would be to have both developers effectively do both. It might not be an equal amount of each for both but some reasonable mix. Not to do that sends the wrong message and this could explain how you're feeling now. If so then yeah you have a right to feel that way.

[@DeltaXML_Ltd]

Great video!

[@austinitel.2972]

hi jenn! could i ask where did you get your couch from? Thanks!

[@Dangquoctrieu25]

i like your video Jenni.

[@dmodemd]

Jenn, have you considered changing employers? I am a former Amazonian in Seattle and I moved to another big tech company that is more concerned about employee well being. I think you would be a good fit there if you are interested in a referral.

[@Book_beans]

What keyboard do you use? The sound is lovely ☺️

[@zinmonlwinma3362]

❤❤❤

[@ilyjesusable]

I think when it comes to burnout, you have to do something that is really mentally fulfilling that allows you to “recharge” from the draining qualities of demanding jobs

[@jassohn]

Your computer keyboard, where did you get it?!

[@ZeryusXD]

Ahh the dreaded on-call on Christmas week 😔

[@imjenncho]

🥲

[@augustagiehl6056]

I love your videos

[@bonle3771]

Howl is a good boi/girl

[@4ui_4ui]

Hi! What headphones do you use?

[@joeymvlopez2395]

what kind of camera do you use Jenn?

[@kdaahri7840]

You are my type ❤

[@akyu7599]

She is so beautiful fr she looks like an angel🥹🫶🏻

[@andre-ur6lf]

hi there, i'm just curious. while at work, what are the kind of hard problems to be solved which cause stress? is it more technical related, or coordination related? i have just started learning software engineering for a while and i see that you mention burnout few times when working and its kinda bit concern for me if its that hard to work as software engineer.

[@AnushaWaves]

Working in tech is easy, coding, software and tools are fun. But, team work, communication and management is what drains the energy.

[@MelanieJosephine]

Sadly the only way to recover from burnout is time off- ideally a longer stretch

[@teemu6896]

hmm I guess I'd tell you I stay sharper than my pains with my mind focused on a blossom *_* only 'cause you said please ! ^_^

[@Proxyone444]

❤

[@kamertonaudiophileplayer847]

Micro services are great, I use them since 2000, but sometimes it's really hard to debug, because some service can fail in the middle and then system starts to produce unexpectable results.

[@habibi750]

Jenn, what computer languages do you know?

[@Savage-bd3rk]

ofc you are burned out you work at Amazon known for burnouts… You should switch to a different company

[@tongmeansmartboy9819]

Can you show me your roadmap to become software engineer

[@itsjusawesome8538]

what keyboard do you have?

[@kotadiyachaitanya7957]

Do you looking for Video Editor?

[@Wynaut1517]

I'm a MSW student, and my teacher sent me a burnout package. do you have an email i can send it to? maybe it can help you! there are mindfulness activity, and reprioritization exercises of you needs and wants. for me personally, i go to the beach and relax, or do a hike, or go on a run. other times i tend to sit down and watch movies or doing things i enjoy. always having a list of things you enjoy doing is good to refer to when feeling burnt out so that u can have a day where you just do those activities

[@sandorpapp7057]

Nice cat 😺

[@Shillongteerliveguti]

I am from India

[@ukkyo31]

You need to take a different perspective at work. Try thinking about it more as a business rather than employment. Think about how you can establish your own brand as a Software Engineer. When you look at it from a business perspective, everyone is your client. Whatever the task is, you think better, you perform better and you are more motivated.