I’m not a good engineer, and job stresses me out so much that it’s affecting my mental health. I feel like the job is eating me away, but I’m too scared to walk away from money. I have about 810k saved up across investment+401k+cash. Is this enough of a nest egg to try something new? Should I look for a new job instead? Age: 26 TC:330k YOE: 4.5
At 26, you don't have enough saved up to last you forever. At 4% SWR you have the equivalent of $32K/year for the rest your life. If you are burnt out (and it sounds like you are), take a break for 6 months (ask for a sabbatical and if they say no, quit). After 6 months, figure out what to do next - switch careers, find another job, go back to grad school etc.
Why. Don’t you move to another company that is a lot more relaxing. If you move away from big tech life is actually a lot more chill in my opinion
I’m also thinking about moving to a LCOL and taking a remote job at a smaller company. I’ve only worked at FAANG and Snap so I don’t know how it’s like to work at a smaller company.
Go for it! There are many small startups that will like to have you but can't pay lot of cash. Less people you deal with = less stress, and you will likely enjoy working. If it doesn't work out try another small company. If that doesn't, you can always come back to one of these large soul sucking corps.
810k is a very good amount of money. You should feel pretty confident to take risk and try something new. But I’ll encourage you to get a therapist or look into NLP therapy. I’d recommend joyable which I’ve used that has helped me with social anxiety and imposter syndrome. You work at Snap and I don’t think they would have hired if you were a really bad engineer. You should try to change your job if your current work environment have triggers that make you feel this way.
I used to go see a therapist for depression but stopped since COVID. I’m trying to figure out whether my job makes me depressed or I am a depressed person incapable of executing on job. My guess js the latter... but maybe job change will help?
Have you tried Lyra health online? It's very helpful
Mind me asking how you saved that much up with 330k comp?
Bitconneeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeect
Hmm I don’t have too much expenses. Also got fat sign on bonuses between jobs
Man you earn way more than the average 26 year old dev and also how can someone save 800k so young? This feels like a humblebrag.
You need 5 million to retire. Until then keep grinding on the hamster wheel.
How much are your annual expenses? You need to accumulate 25-33x this number and then you can retire. Take a look at https://engineerseekingfire.com/your-plan-to-achieve-financial-independence/ and learn about FIRE (Financially Independent Retire Early)
definitely not at FIRE mark, I just want to switch industry
Op, I’m in the same spot. Older and way more expenses than you though. If I could go back in time, I would have taken a good year off, before I got the family and the mortgage, to work on something different that I’m passionate about. You almost never get that chance again when you have more life responsibilities. Enjoy your youth and your freedom, don’t get the TC race get you.
Thanks for sharing that.
Why do you feel you are a bad engineer after getting jobs at FANG?
im a good interviewer nothing more nothing less
I would say same as others suggested take some break of couple of months that might clear up few thing of what to do and what interests you. Good luck
It’s plenty saved up to take a break for 3-6 months imo. You’re 26 years old with $800k saved up. Take care of yourself. Worse comes to worst, you can find another engineering job 6 months later if you need to an income. I recommend taking a bit of time off and unwind, like 3-6 months. After/during that you can do a few things: 1) explore new careers - see if anything seems interesting 2) try working at a company that is much less stressful even if it means a tc cut. Plenty of companies out there known for great wlb (atlassian, salesforce, msft, G, square, etc) 3) work for a company whose product you are more passionate about Don’t think you’re a bad SWE if you work at snap.
Great suggestions!
Thank you for a thoughtful response. I think the part “worst comes to worst” is a lot more dreadful of a situation in my head than most people make it out to be in this thread—I’m thinking flipping patties ya know? The COVID layoffs got me scared.