I’m in my late 20, all my career(about 7 years), I’ve been doing Android product development. I have around 5 big apps in the play store(WAU > 15millions). I’m pretty good at Java, but only Android part. I don’t want to be developer forever and especially Android, as I don’t want to compete with new grads who can put 60hrs a week, while I in 5-7 years (having family) won’t be able to do that. Looks like in Fb I have 2 major areas where I can go to get transferable skills: infra (feed, video, voice calls) or AR/VR. The first one will give exposure to distributed systems, while the second (less transferable) is a huge bet to future. Ideas? TC: 300k @ Instagram
I was in your situation and switched to infra. Happy with my decision
Did you gain any new skills? How likely they will help you to find a new job? My concern is I’m pretty close to the top level for developer (ic6) and even now it requires much more talking and managing rather than coding..
Didn’t you say you don’t want to be a developer forever? But you are complaining you aren’t coding?
Why would you put "transferable" and "AR/VR" in the same sentence?
Because I put “less” in front :) I’d say you can apply your knowledge, but not that many companies requires them
True, you did and I missed that in your next sentence.
Isn’t ML the future? Why not go into ML?
Well, most of ML teams in Fb just changes coefficients most of the time. High level engs have opportunities, but it will take 4-5 years of changes values in configs... maybe that’s just my point of view, but that’s how I see ml in big companies
Distributed system is definitely more transferable than AR/VR, but your android skill set is more applicable to the latter. It’s your own call to choose safety or take risk.
Curious what did you end up with switching to and do you think you made a good decision so far? I'm also working on Android and thinking of whether I should switch stack.
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You are already worried about pidgeonholing yourself to a specific area. Wouldn't AR/VR be the same thing, except even riskier?
Well, partially I agree. The difference (as I see it): ramping up on Android is pretty easy, while getting expertise in Computer vision is much harder. Also CV requires C++, deep learning understanding, which is much more transferable than pure Android java skills. But thanks for your input!
I think the competition goes both ways though. AR/VR is definitely more difficult to break into so you won't be competing with new grads, but you will be competing with PhDs speciallizing in CV. Maybe it won't matter though if you gain expertise at FB.