Re:Ask HN: I've made a huge mistake; working in tech is kill...
by bdcravens on Sunday April 17, 2016 @04:49PM
(#11516244)
The tech industry is more than the "startup world" and SF. For every developer working at an Uber there's thousands more working at normal companies, working normal hours, and living in places where they are happy, not where the hype cycle tells them they should.
Also, your resume is better than you think. Most jobs don't require you to be a ninja. I didn't get a degree and have been a developer since 1998, with healthy earnings despite at times using uncool languages (spent most of my career doing ColdFusion) and outside of the startup world (Dallas and Houston). My current life is great, though boring to those in your typical VC-funded party (I write software that helps hold UPS and Fedex accountable to their guarantees); however, if I had to, I could easily freelance and earn and above-average income.
tl;dr The tech industry is more than the startup and SF world, and you can be happy working in tech elsewhere. Optimize for happiness, and don't let others pick your priorities.
Also, your resume is better than you think. Most jobs don't require you to be a ninja. I didn't get a degree and have been a developer since 1998, with healthy earnings despite at times using uncool languages (spent most of my career doing ColdFusion) and outside of the startup world (Dallas and Houston). My current life is great, though boring to those in your typical VC-funded party (I write software that helps hold UPS and Fedex accountable to their guarantees); however, if I had to, I could easily freelance and earn and above-average income.
tl;dr The tech industry is more than the startup and SF world, and you can be happy working in tech elsewhere. Optimize for happiness, and don't let others pick your priorities.