Mainly directed to SWEs, but can apply to anyone. Do you think the work you're currently doing is impactful or meaningful (maybe even essential)? If so, what is it that you do? Where do you work? If not, do you care that your work doesn't feel meaningful? #tech
Yes, I’m a research engineer and I conduct cognitive research. I would feel satisfied making a scientific breakthrough even if it doesn’t add any economic value.
That's really cool. What type of cognitive research?
My focus is on AI, particularly how machines can perceive things that humans can’t. For example, if I’m looking at you I can’t tell your heart is beating because my vision isn’t good enough. But a machine can see that your face turns slightly red and then neutral color in cycles, and this is caused by the blood being pumped to your face.
Yes...kind of. Day to day maybe not so much but the project I'm on right now is overall definitely meaningful and necessary. I've found that what defense/aerospace may lack in TC it usually makes up for in meaningful work and having a sense of pride and ownership in what you work on. It's one of the reasons why people stay in the industry. You're not usually just "building sand castles" that will be totally replaced in a couple years like somebody else here said about most SWE work.
Yeah right making bombers and missiles is meaningful work. These things are definitely moving us in the right direction.
“Youre not building sand castles” yeah right, instead youre “writing SW for that missile thats probably gonna lead to 10 or more deaths”. Totally meaningful.
“The best minds of my generation are thinking about how to make people click ads” 😥
Sometimes. I worked on critical Amazon Fresh projects during the huge spike of COVID-19 induced grocery delivery demand early last year.
In my last org, absolutely. 100%. You could SEE the difference you were making in people's lives in a positive manner. New org? Not at all. Code in a corner on things no one will ever see and likely won't ever be released. But I'm a non-diverse person at a large tech company, so my options are limited.
I am herding cattle and trying to wade through politics
I'm getting paid to do the work. That's meaningful for me :/
Well, everyone's definition for 'meaningful' is different.
Helping small business owners get access to capital quickly so that they can stay focused on running their business and not on satisfying the demands of some paper pusher at a bank.
Yes high TC is meaningful work to me.
Your company pays high?
Ego seems High for the Uber guy!