Not getting much learning
Hi, I'm currently a swe in AWS on a pretty impactful team with good WLB and pay. However, I'm not a huge fan of the way we do things at work. 99% of the code reviews is just making sure the business logic is correct with not much regards to performance, organization, or even maintainability. Documentation is a myth. If it works, ship it. Prior to college, I didn't know this is how most cloud teams operate (or correct me if I'm wrong). On top of that, my team is just always focused on work and nothing else. Not many team events or overall team culture. Although this could just be the millennial / fresh grad side of me complaining. Overall, I don't think I'm learning much here. Nearly all my CRs get approval without much in-depth analysis (I've purposefully submitted non-performant code to see if my co-workers will catch it and sometimes they don't). My question is, is this common? I just passed the 1 YoE mark and if I start looking for new jobs, do I still count as a new grad? TC: 150k YoE: just over 1
It is quite common. What you are lacking and what you desire is a team that is excited about work, and excited about their coworkers. It is a great experience. Not going to find it with teams that have been together for awhile. Go out and find a new team, new development or support of a new product, with a mix of experience, many your age group. I'm 30 years in. I had that experience many times. Something every newbie needs. 1 year in it does not hurt to look and knock on doors. Don't make it a rush and see where it takes you. It will keep your interview skills honed at a minimum.
If it bothers you, consider working at Google. You will likely face the opposite "problem" here.
Yeah I am Leetcoding almost everyday after work since I don't do that much coding anyway. I'm really fearful of Google's extremely high bar.
As long as you have the right mindset, just keep trying. I've known people who have made multiple attempts and found their place eventually.
At AWS the focus is on OPs, they got it pretty much figured out. You should learn to appreciate that mindset even if you don't like it. IMO this is what makes AWS successful.
I'm glad they're successful. I'm not glad I wasn't there to make it successful. If it's just ops, then I'm basically a maintainence guy?
Yes they figured out how to quickly absorb fresh meat into the system to run the cloud. There are opportunities to learn new things at AWS, but again there's a lot of competition who want the same thing you do. Get a mentor and switch team, but first you have to do well where you are right now.
I would love to work for a team which focuses more on work, work and work than other casual nonsense.
Leave... one of the most important things for an inexperienced SWE is learning.
Donโt even think of looking until youโve been there for 2 years. After 2 years, you can start looking.
Old school thoughts
1 yoe @ Amazon and no promo (still L4) is not a good look. We have some on my team and they are simultaneously arrogant and stupid.