The worst things about being a software engineer

Software engineering is mostly fun, but it isn't without its downsides.
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⏱ TIMESTAMPS
00:00 Intro
00:53 Competition
02:22 Switching jobs
04:13 Politics
05:42 Management training
07:27 Upkeep & burnout
‼️ DISCLAIMERS
This video is sponsored by Educative.
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Also, all opinions are my own and not my employer's.
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[@walidzein1]

I start questioning my life choices whenever i start applying for jobs and going through the interview process, it's just crazy

[@kimberlystigall5436]

You are not alone in this. But never let it run your life. You are good enough(not that you need a stranger to tell you).

[@walidzein1]

@@kimberlystigall5436 thank you

[@magicja]

I am a software engineer and I work on enterprise applications. I am a go to mentor on the team. Yesterday I took a skills assessment test and scored a 7%. I feel encouraged by your comment, thanks!

[@IUSTITA]

How did it turn out?

[@papunmohanty5968]

Few more things to add .. the Job descriptions is completely different from what company put an employee in a project. And in a company specially in service based due to small duration projects no one can have or build in depth domain knowledge.

[@heshangunasekara3310]

You are on point with the Management roles. Most managers would hard to find balance in growing people with career development rather more focus is naturally going into performance development.

[@theSDE2]

Definitely agreeing with all the points you made Utsav. Even in my team, my Tech Architect is my People Manager as well. But I am glad he is able to do good with both the roles.

[@sunilpanda2905]

Loved all you videos. Every tech youtubers starting their youtube channel and teach dsa and other tech stuffs but dont talk about other imp. Things for a software engg. And your channel provide balanced content of all these thanks to youtube algorithim for suggesting your channel.❤❤❤

[@chaitanyasampat7458]

Agree🥺

[@bbennison03]

Great video and channel! Thanks for the amazing content!

[@ajr993]

I don't even bother applying to big tech companies. The interview process is far too stressful and time consuming. Unless you are able to complete medium to hard level leet code problems in 30 minutes, just give up. Also the pay is good but you're going to have to put in the hours. So if you make 160k but you're working 60 hours a week, then realistically your salary is just 106k compared to making 120 but working 40 hours a week at a mid tier company. I'd rather go to a mid tier company where you need to be skilled, but the interview process is more reasonable, you'll be paid competitively but not at the level of google, and you'll only have to work 40 hours. If you're good and talented you'll be able to have great job security with little risk of burnout. Remote makes that even better.

[@kurt5457]

Its sooo easy to burnout chasing roles. I can raise my hand and say that my mental health struggled from all of the above. Don't ruin yourself for a company.

[@DevPool]

Like your video Utsav! I would also say that the job can get pretty boring in the future if it doesn't keep on channeling you or bringing you new interesting problems to solve.

[@rikudouensof]

Burnout and RUT. I am currently recovering from that. This is my first time, and i have to say, it sucks. A LOT!

[@sonnco]

Great content and thank you for not sugar coating the topic!

[@mohamadcheaito9088]

Very informative and as always you provide a great content keep it up ❤

[@jerome_ee6522]

You stated some reasons I had why I resigned from my job. I got burnt out too. All is well now. Thanks for the video!

[@ssesanganajib528]

How did you make it with the videos bro

[@marriumkhan20]

I learned all these things during my 4 year job. Thanks for summing it all up. Its very helpful specially for newbies.

[@MadhuSudhanpro]

Hey utsav can you make a video on so many mental health issues software engineer deals with like for me imposter syndrome took a lot of toll on me

[@heroharmonyVOD]

I feel very strongly about the final point on constant upkeep. I realizeed that especially in web development, frameworks and patterns are always changing, it feels like the web has come a long way (since I touched HTML as a kid using MS FrontPage) yet ironically I feel like a pioneer every year. I especially hate working with Google stuff because it feels like my learning becomes obsolete in less than a year. Keeping up on my own time leaves me near to no time to work on my own personal projects - which then leads to my own burnout.

[@shot0ffun]

class Second { public static void main(String[] args) { System.out.println("Second😆"); } }

[@FreeComputerTutor]

LOL

[@sachin_yt]

I think this is an amazing video but I would highly recommend you talk about how to crack behavioral questions. There is little to no content on how to effectively crack them!

[@EUU100]

Is it possible to get advice on freelancing or working for ourselves, I recall in another video you mentioned you have a few friend sthat freelance. Any help is appreciated greatly thank you

[@programmertheory]

The worst things for me as a programmer myself are somewhat similar. Here we go: 1. The job posts. Why the heck are there job posts where it's an entry-level position where you must have 10-15+ years of experience or x years of experience in a language, library, or framework that is younger than the exp they're asking? 2. Everything must be OOP. Object-Oriented Programming has its uses, however it is not some multi-tool that you should use for every problem you solve. You wouldn't use a screwdriver to hammer a nail, would you? Also, most OO programmers kinda treat this paradigm like a religion, making them toxic sometimes. 3. The interview questions. I have seen some interview questions that do not relate to the actual job position you're interviewing for at all. I blame Google for this one 4. Messy, unreadable code from other programmers, whether they're coworkers, a client, or a third-party. Please, for the love of god, have reasonable comments, write your code in a way where anyone can read the code and understand it quickly, have meaningful names for variables, functions/methods, structs/classes, etc, and if you can simplify the code and logic, do so. Simple is better than complex

[@cryptomambaindia2645]

Great content Utsav!! Keep up the great work. BTW, you are quite close to have 100k subscribers, Congrats bruh 👍🚀

[@amansethi4846]

haven't video a video which speaks truth and is relatable to me because most of the times people praise one thing or other about their job/personal preference,etc and I don't wan't to hear their baised opinion before even knowing the whole truth, much appreciation for content like this 👏

[@patilashish]

very insightful. Now please share your approach for tackling these problems.

[@gtri4934]

I just recently started learning code and the basics of web development. Yesterday I got a phone call from the CEO of KineMagic and was invited to eat lunch with him! All because my sister cuts his hair and has been telling him about me. I feel as if this could be an amazing opportunity to get my foot in the door to the industry early or at the least make a very useful connection! If anyone has any advice for me please don’t hesitate!

[@bopal93]

Good videos Utsav. Keep it up!

[@drummr187]

I would have added dealing with the egos of other engineers. Not everyone is like that but I have met several over my career.

[@sakib2249]

grate video... hy utsav.. where are you working now?

[@user-dd3lw2pq9v]

Do you have any videos about what questions to ask companies when interviewing for a position?

[@TheGrandChelem]

ask questions you genuinely want to know the answers to. let me tell you questions you ask have no impact on you getting an offer. As an interviewer I have already taken notes about your performance before asking you if you have any questions. And I have never changed my opinions about a candidate because he asked «great» questions

[@androiddeveloper1]

Utsav great content. Enjoy all your videos. And looks like you have read my mind in this video. Keep going 👍

[@vineetmehta4779]

Great stuff. Also, large part of total compensation is in stonks . A boon and a bane.😁

[@unknownRebelPL]

Hey Utsav, great content! Quick question - how do you deal with burnout ? Family, work from home on big projects, and the feeling that there is no end to the work you do makes it harder then ever to get up in the morning - let alone keep interested in software development enough to keep on learning. Sprint after sprint, task after task, and there is no big final date. It constant and damn its exhausting..

[@codingwithzhia]

Having a good balance in life - find hobbies that you enjoy, do things outside of work that makes you happy, and take sufficient rest every now and then . I've found this worked best for me. Most tech companies have really generous vacation policy - i believe this is in large part to encourage people to take time and step back so they don't burn out.

[@ericaskari]

you just answered your own question: "there is no end to the work" so there is no need to put all of your time and energy. It doesn't work when you are learning and starting but after certain point you just take it easy

[@JugnooCreations]

1) learn to say "No" 2) delegate your task 3) This is the most important : Don't have a mindset of problem solving all the time , give your best in your office hours , But when it is done after your hours do not even think about it even if it is a really complex task given to you. Works for me maybe it will for you.

[@ashinmahat9740]

Great content .Thankyou!!!

[@mohdjibly6184]

Thank you for the honest insights into software engineering, Utsav :)

[@BenZan7181]

Are you giving away your Roland drum kit?

[@mikepr284]

Do you have a podcast?

[@neetugreat2002]

Loved this one, i am into job switch zone right now and thinking how much i have to brush up. Because in day to day life we are in auto pilot mode and forget the entire concepts. You missed one thing that how a female can survive in this industry .

[@limsiryuean5040]

I have a strong feeling woman may last longer in a position like this than men. A lot of men are so competitive in these FAANG companies, they often thrust themselves into a really demanding position, whereas women tend to gravitate towards upper management after proving their performance. (This does not include any behavior that may harm a female/male's privacy and safety. That depends on the company)

[@neetugreat2002]

@@limsiryuean5040agreed

[@ricktz6752]

Brother utsav could you please help me what is health IT all about ?cuz I have seen non stem students working in healthcare IT as analyst. What's it all about?

[@igboman2860]

Applying information technology to health, ranges from using managing patients using computers systems in a hospital , drug clinical trials , statistical analysis of other health or medical information It is really a broad domain

[@ricktz6752]

@@igboman2860 didn't understand , could you please elaborate

[@igboman2860]

@@ricktz6752 I have fixed my typos. Also many people in tech are non stem. My tech lead is a psychology major, software engineering is not rocket science. It is an experience driven industry

[@JHRCREATOR]

Congratulations ❤️ 100k sub ! ❤️

[@unknown-ef2gz]

Sir I've an idea for uh ...🤔i think you should start teaching on your KZbin channel about all programming and coding stuffss....bcz what i think is bcz of your great experience in this field you can be the best teacher in this particular field...🤔so pls if possible start teaching about programming languages, DSA , SD, etc.. etc...😊😊😊

[@arpansinghyt]

This channel is very underrated..loved every video

[@MohdImran-uq5iv]

Please make a road map on distributed system

[@alvinchris3138]

Thank you Utsav for these wonderful insights

[@grandparick3176]

Man i haven't even started any jobs or internship but after grinding leetcode and see these kind of videos i already feel burnt out.

[@Born2EditHD]

Just remember, when you get your first job as a Dev, be assertive. Other people might be more skilled, have a more demanding job, have more people depending on them, but noones time is more important than yours. If you have people pushing you around because you're the new kid on the block with no experience, do something about it, don't let others push you around. Of course, there is a skill behind dealing with this. You don't want to be a dick, you don't want to make everyone hate you. Put your opinion across to those with the power to fix your problems and make sure they deal with it in a reasonable time frame.

[@francisdecena6744]

as always great content 👍

[@jonny-b4954]

Crazy to think Google essentially has a fairly large business JUST to go through millions of applications. I mean, that's a huge job just in itself.

[@timstevens3361]

its not a small space but its not a big space either. part of burn out is being worked out. but a large part of burn out is also being bored out of your frqn mind ! same with electronics. its not a small space but its not a big space either. same with machining and mechanics. cnc machining is not a small space. but its not a big space either. dont get your self trapped in too small a space and you wont burn out. Im on team C btw.

[@persiankingish]

*Summary:-* 1.) Competition 2.) Switching jobs is challenging 3.) Corporate Politics 4.) Lack of people management training 5.) Constant upkeep and burnout

[@Guitargenshingym]

Just after my graduation, I prepared and went to TIFR Mumbai for PhD in physics. Never liked coding and understand early that no matter what, it will never be worth for me. High CTCs etc are often misleading and cost you life, time and peace of mind

[@ChandanKr.16]

Even though u r telling the worst thing about being a software engineer, but still u r smiling. I liked it

[@AZ-gs6hj]

You think he would be crying in front of the camera?

[@ChandanKr.16]

@@AZ-gs6hj of course not, why would he!

[@AZ-gs6hj]

Yup software engineering isn't worth it anymore. When onlyfans and tiktok starts are making 20x a software salary. You can go ahead and smack yourself in the head.

[@braham.prakash]

🌚🌚

[@kishorkunal21]

98.6 Subs -> 100 M very soon..Yee !! Happy for u :D

[@chazzman4553]

The worst thing in this profession - you learn like hell, then learn and work like hell and in the end nobody acknowledges or cares of what you did. You are a cog, very good cog at best. If you were a doctor, inventor or even a builder in construction you would be appreciated, admired or better. Not in software now you are temporary replacement for upcoming AI. The best thing I've experienced so far is programming for yourself not for any damn corporation or client.

[@azirious666]

So what isn't worth it ???

[@telecomprofi]

To be fair soft devs who downshift from big-corporation rat race to smaller company could enjoy almost same $$$ with half of load or even could opt to work less because compensation is already great and if you lose 50% of it in exchange of more personal time then nothing dramatic will happen to financial aspect of your life. ;-). What other profession would allow that?

[@ultiumlabs4899]

yes, I was the victim of burnout and over workload.

[@suvobrotopal2024]

Thank you very much for providing such valuable insight , from Kolkata city , India 🙏

[@chaitanyasampat7458]

6:54 i found you for that one though 🥺❤️🥺

[@himanshuk177]

Why is there no youtube from Microsoft ever ?

[@AzamFahmy]

print(first)

[@SystemRebooting3009]

Utsav bro almost at 100k sub LFG

[@sgowthamloverboy]

Utsav, Congratulations in advance for 100K subs.. I would love to watch a video you make on Corporate politics and how to deal with them.. Please consider my comment!

[@HassanHassan-ch8ml]

Congratulations 🎉 for 💯 k

[@ajinkyasonawane2416]

First one was better than trying for iit

[@dsinghr]

Software engineering is not for everyone. If you feel it’s not for you, don’t fret. There are so many other interesting profiles in IT jobs that pays equally well.

[@tobydude7462]

What are some examples

[@xit]

100K whooaaaaaa

[@suryap999]

Waiting to see 1L subscribers...

[@ssesanganajib528]

Your videos are wow

[@vipulyadav4213]

That's Interesting Topic ;) ;) ;-)

[@ramielkady938]

I was never ever convinced that in order to work a react.js front end dev you need to know how to do big O notation ... didn't make sense 20 years ago ... still does not make sense now .... just a filtering mechanism used by big companies ... no thank you I will pass ...

[@KennTollens]

Because of all that. I'll just work the easy assembly line job.

[@shivendrasingh8484]

Thanks

[@pradippandey5072]

You are the best

[@saro_9519]

Subscribed

[@joryiansmith]

This may not be what engineers want to hear but do good engineers hide from problems? Can you be a good engineer if you ignore problems?

[@diego032912]

Dude what? Who said or insinuated that?

[@DiwasTimilsina]

are you a Nepali by any chance? :)

[@ThomasTomiczek]

I am sorry, but wat the heck? Competition? You think competition is lower for Lawyers? For people making money in finance? You think competition is higher than for athletes? Yes, you get a TON of applications - that is not competition, that is idiots trying for a job they are not qualified for. I have done a lot of staffing, and 95% of the people coming are one thing: INCOMPETENT.

[@enriqueavalos]

the other day i figured something out without Google

[@kellyprice8246]

I simply don't believe you.

[@vrdevchris5008]

1. Be very careful around women in this industry, they will go to HR on a dime if you do anything that rubs them the wrong way in any sense. To the point, where I would caution you to critize any part of their work because they can literally just go to HR and cry, then you're fired (this is real, I've experienced this with a very poor performing individual). If you're white, just be really really careful. This industry is about as woke as it can get and unforgiving with the woke religion, so you gotta consider how everything you say can possibly be taken by someone before you say it. 2. On a more positive note, make your leadership look good as much as possible. Do whatever you can without being over the top to make the lead engineer look good in front of his boss. And if you're frontend, even if backend isn't doing well, make it look like your mistake and your responsibility in team meetings, then if backend is really seriously messing up, tell the boss in private. 3. You'll be given big problems to solve. Under sell and over deliver. Make it look like you're slightly less capable than you are, this will protect you against the folks not doing the actual work asking too much of you. And also break these big problems into small, easier to solve problems when you start to feel overwhelmed. 4. Always assume something will take you quite a bit longer than you think it will and set that expectation with the rest of the team. You'll be extremely glad you did, especially when you come up against something you didn't expect. 5. Take breaks, and a lot of them. I can't tell you how many times I've stared at a problem for hours, to just go for a walk for an hour, come back, then see the solution instantly. 6. There comes a point when the code actually starts to look like gibberish and you can't understand any of it. There's two solutions to this. Either one, take the night off go to bed and reasses tomorrow, or two (if you are on an intense deadline), drink some alcohol. If you have to use the second one, do it sparingly because you'll either get too drunk or do it too often then get fat. 7. Expect less of yourself than you think you should. It's too easy to get overly obsessive over the stuff you're trying to do here. I've seen some of the best engineers get overly obsessive and still lose their job. If you're concerned about keeping your job, make sure you are always interviewing and always learning outside of work. This could be in the form of leetcode.com or going through courses to learn new tech, but just give yourself other oppurtunities so that you don't become overly obsessive with this job just to keep it. I've given everything to a job just to lose it for something stupid. 8. Imposter syndrome is real in this industry and will control you if you let it. You have to remember, none of the other folks that you're working with are as good as you think they are. Just some things I learned, if I went in with this knowledge it would've been easier, but I'm good now. Just take it in stride and keep yourself sane.

[@zubairmurshid4416]

They say you get pinned if you comment in the 35th minute. Hmmm 🤔

[@joshvaughan3403]

When would you ever have to design a large distributed system in just 45 minutes? That's a recipe for disaster.

[@teemumiettinen7250]

So you ever wonder, how dataleaks and new exploits get found constantly, well the answer is there.

[@EngineeringwithUtsav]

I’m referring to system design interviews as a jab at them :)

[@naseefep4452]

give away time

[@TyMac711]

Passive aggressive personalities... e.g., Code hoarders.

[@jyotiranjan7062]

Are you from USA ?

[@rgb8534]

yup he is

[@mckayhba360]

He is originally from Nepal but lives and works in Seattle USA

[@webflyer035]

How many times more he is keep ranting about being a software engineer? 😂😂

[@10thousandbaby85]

I hear nepali accent.

[@baloney_sandwich]

Don’t ask for sub before u even begin your video

[@damiansaturn7598]

Investing in crypto right now should be at every wise individuals list. In few minutes you'll be ecstatic with the decision you made today..

[@xylanlwies5002]

I also trade with Mr Shelton Morrison, and I must say he makes money making seems a whole lot easier right now I'm a single parent and I pay the bills comfortably since I met Shelton Morrison he's absolutely amazing and I'll recommend him for any novice in crypto.

[@arcanaz6583]

SCAM!!!

[@invalidaccount2315]

ive been a sw engineer for 29 years, i can tell you the problem, most if not all "engineers" are garbage, sorry but the diversity hires have taken all the skilled positions away, thats why google just fired 12k ppl, all divirsity and inclusion hires, sw dev is easy. now the entire market is monopolized by feminist recruiters and being over 25 is an impossiblility to get a job. they only hire in their peer group, kiddos need to work a mcjob and get life skills before doing engineering, theres a reason you dont see 20 yr olds as doctors, they would devalue and ruin the industry just like this one, this competant 40k hr engineer quit bc of it, enjoy feminism. it is impossible to raise a family when being constantly hopping from job to job bc some woman has to get $$ shes not skilled for.