Work is taxing on my mental health, it is extremely hard to see an opportunity and not drop everything to take it. I end up working 60-70 hours/week to chase promotions when I should be enjoying my life. I made the decision to pursue smaller opportunities and relax, take some vacations etc. I have 2.5 yoe, some at Intuit, some at Amazon. I’m interviewing at a few places, Uber just upleveled me to L5 (senior engineer) and offered $405k TC FY. I was considering taking a pay cut but should I take this job anyways? $400k is a dream end state for most people and I’m here at 26. I could run this for a decade and retire very early Am I dumb for passing it or mentally sick for not listening to my own diagnosis?
Of course take the job! If it’s too stressful take that money after a year and go on amazing holidays. Btw how did you prepare for senior role with only 2.5 yoe?
I just got lucky I think. The LC was on the easier side for L4 type questions, and I happen to be good at system design. I have 3 unique projects that I can relate to almost any question and a couple small ones if that fails, so most behavioral questions are easy. I’m not a 10x engineer, just ok at communicating
In terms of my actual practice; watch 2-3 hours of YouTube on the interviewing per week, 5-6 LC per week, 1-2 system design per week
Start fresh at Uber and try to define a work life balance early on. Given that you are happy with the offer, there's no need to continue chasing promotion if that's not bringing you happiness. Take care of yourself!
Totally agree here. Every change is a chance to reset. There’s no reason you have to work more or even the same for more money. You can cut back and no one will know.
Uber culture might be better than Amazon I presume - wrt WLB
I was hoping for this. But I think the uplevel will put me in a position where I need to add hours to makeup for gap in experience. So my experience will be worse WLB
You can control your work in a disciplined manner ! Stick to 8 hrs and don’t overcommit
Holy.. people are making 400k w 2.5 yoe? What am I doing w my life.. Congrats friend!
Graduates with 0 yoe also get that at Hedge funds/quant shops.
You’re probably not doing anything wrong, the market is just wonky right now. Some people are getting lucky, I won this lottery but you’ll win the next
You have 2.5 yr of exp and got uber 5a. You must be a very good engineer or a damn good interviewee. Either way, don't let your imposter syndrome cloud your potential. If I was in your shoes, I will absolutely go for it without a second thought. You seem to be pretty young and hence have time and space to take chances on yourself.
100%, I’m 26 as well and dumb as a box of rocks. I would absolutely take that opportunity if I was ever offered it. So much more time in life, live well below the pay but still really comfortable and retire early to explore the world
Sign this wave while it lasts and secure your future it’s worth it to grind before your 30s hit and you no longer can even if you wish to
Go to Uber, spend all of it on cokes an bjs
Too smart for this post
Take the job at Uber but make sure to not lose your WLB this time. Take it easy for a couple of years. Travel with the extra $$. Focus on your health. Establish a social circle.
No such thing as too much money
Get the money, save smart, invest smart and be independent, no one knows after 2-3-5y if the market will be hot or not
This. Ride the wave till it lasts but don’t burnout, enjoy your time. Find a middleground.
Comp will only go up. Until “AI” can do the job, but I guess all human jobs will be gone by then