I am a HW engineer with abysmal TC in bay area. Have been trying to change company but could not get far. Got rejects from Google, Microsoft, Qualcomm, Nvidia and few startups. Apple always rejects after recruiter reaches out, may be did really bad on my interview 5 years ago. Trying to move to SW but things are slow. It is a big change as I am coming from Semiconductor devices. Today I received rejects from 2 universities I applied to for SW citing lack of background in SW dev. On the other hand, losing motivation to work in HW due to large differential in TC with same/more effort involved in HW. May be that was the reason for flunking all my HW interviews. Kind folks of Blind, guide me on my quest for better career(TC 😂). Heck if you guys roast me that would be better than sulking. TC: 140K YOE: MS in EE+ 8 years
Don’t chase TC. Chase work you are interested in that has value.
I am interested in having an impact! HW industry has been stagnating for a while. Everything is getting commoditized. Work is mostly grunt work.
I feel same can be said about software to some extent. Most stuff is grunt work (maybe not in beginning, because everything looks new and you are learning). But yeah at-least TC is high.
leet code
Going really really slow. Dont have background in algorithms.
Same as you. No background in algo, things are slow, especially because I am lacking motivation. Pm me if you want to prep together.
Like others have said don’t chase tc. Grass is always greener. Swe may not be for you tbh
To be really honest, I thought SWE requires logical mind which I do have and can contribute significantly to current landscape. I do have ideas but implementation is what I lack of. You may be right, I may not be cut out for SWE but at least wanted to give it a try.
Good luck I was mainly making the statement because it seemed you were only interested in the potential tc of swe
Discouraged too. Trying to find an internship in software but I don’t have the experience in software to be considered for them. Just got some robotics and circuit type of work on my resume
Have you ever introspected to see what your strengths are? Can you climb the corporate ladder with the skills you already have? Don't be the guy drinking the Kool aid. I am a HW Engineer myself.
If I be completely honest, I totally lack motivation to do that in HWE. To climb the corporate ladder in HWE one needs to put in at least 7-8 more years for roughly the same TC from my current situation.
So I am trying to understand a little here. 1. You don't like HWE anymore? 2. You are okay with HWE but want more TC? 3. You love SWE? 4. You want to do something that can fetch you high TC; by popular opinion it's SW? Which one is you?
Apples interview results stay with that particular team. And I dont think they care something from 5 years ago. I spent 2 years interviewing everywhere before i got into FANG. Stay positive my friend.
Then something really weird is happening with me. Recruiter is reaching out but after that, radio silence! Happened 10+ times in last 2 years.
apple does that a lot, dont worry. I had 20+ silent treatments from aapl. They have tons of internal transfers. just keep trying dont let it beat u down.
140k for somebody who’s barely an engineer is good
Barely an engineer! I would not say that for myself. Have few patents to prove that. Thanks for the input though. Nice roast! 😂
Ok, I didn’t notice 8 yoe, my apologies. 140k is still a good salary, nothing to be embarrassed about. You may also have a more durable career than JavaScript kids here
No bro, why should someone kick you when you are already down! I know friends who have moved to SE... Show your experience in firmware, if any, and try to display your motivation for moving into SW. Best of luck!!
Thank you for the motivation!