Why I learned to code instead of pursuing a career in finance

Re:Why I learned to code instead of pursuing a career in fin... by lloyd-christmas on Tuesday October 10, 2017 @11:37AM (#15442678)

I worked in finance for 6 years before switching to software. I worked almost 80 hours a week as a discretionary equities trader. I realized that it was starting to be eaten by the tech/data-driven styles, So I took up software so that I could get a more competitive edge. Now I work webdev at 50 hours a week. Those 30 hours a week is a lot more significant to me than the pay cut I took by not going back into finance. The great part about it is if I REALLY want to go back into finance, I have both sets of skills. It never hurts to gain skills in areas where you don't have a formal education.

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Re:Why I learned to code instead of pursuing a career in fin... by SnowingXIV on Tuesday October 10, 2017 @03:49PM (#15444805)

This is what did it for me. The hours were too much and I was getting burned out. I was in IT consulting (fortune 100 companies) but on the finance side. The company was also pulling me over to join the consulting team but I knew that I needed more than a different role, I needed a different lifestyle. I took a pay cut and now work for small businesses handling webdev and internal tools. This allowed me to stretch some creative legs and navigate into a bit of advertising as well. Beyond that, I now get to spend more time with my wife, learning new skills, and growing in ways that I am more passionate about.

The transition doesn't come without heartache though, there are risks including job security and potential growth. No one has a crystal ball. I made a choice that felt more fulfilling in the present. Whether that was a smart choice or not 50 years from now - you'll have to ask me then.

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Re:Why I learned to code instead of pursuing a career in fin... by darkhorn on Tuesday October 10, 2017 @12:30PM (#15443107)

> 80 hours a week

So, you were either in the USA or East Asia, wern't you? I guess you were not in Europe.

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Re:Why I learned to code instead of pursuing a career in fin... by lloyd-christmas on Tuesday October 10, 2017 @01:27PM (#15443624)

Yes, I'm in NYC. I was typically at work for the european and US market hours during earnings season.

> I guess you were not in Europe

EU labor laws don't actually prevent those hours, if that's what you're implying. Most of my banking buddies in Europe work 70 hours.

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