I have been contemplating moving from a hardware role to software, and would appericiate some advice. A little about myself: I do hardware development for Apple in a pretty niche area and make decent money for my work experience (~240k TC with 4 yrs work experience). Lately I've been feeling burned out and dissatisfied by my job. I don't enjoy the nature of my work, and feel I could do something of better value. I did a couple of CS related Coursera courses and felt I would enjoy this as work. I also did a fair bit of programming during undergrad/grad school (EE major), however haven't done anything significant since then? How do I go about transitioning to Software full time? The job I'm currently doing (board level analog circuit design) is pretty much so removed from CS that I don't think I can transition in a gradual manner, within the framework of my existing job. I also have enrolled for Georgia Tech's online MS in CS, not sure if this is the right way to go. I don't mind taking a pay cut for an year or two as long as I can get to my existing salary quickly. Would really appreciate any guidance the Blind community can provide!
Leetcode for CS interviews
Thanks. I am hammering away at Leetcode, but landing interviews is hard with an EE-heavy resume. I also enrolled in Georgia Tech's online MSCS to build a CS resume and go via the new grad route. However I'm not sure if a full MS is the best use of my limited time. So among a full MS, targeted MOOCs and just hammering away at Leetcode, which option would provide the best pay off?
I’ve seen many EEs and even many physics graduates employed as software engineers. An EE degree is not a barrier to entry if you know your stuff. If you can’t get interviews, modify your cv to get rid of some of the irrelevant work and focus it more on the software aspects of the jobs you’ve done and on any software related side-projects. Then look up friends employed in software and have them submit your resume, instead of you uploading it into a blackhole. Once you start getting interviews, you know your cv is good and all you need to improve is your interview skills to get the job! If you are not getting interviews, spend more time on your cv and method of applying. Good luck.
What’s the reasoning behind wanting to move away from HW? HW is now a hot space...
I haven't committed to moving away from hardware, however there are several reasons why i would consider it: 1) This may be from my limited exposure at Apple, but I feel the scope of work is significantly different. While the software guys are only coding, the hardware folks have to deal with operational crap from factories or attend too many meetings etc. I might be doing core technical stuff 10-20% of my time. 2) Too much is concentrated into Apple. While companies like Google and Facebook are pushing strongly into hardware space, what I've seen is they prefer to get most of the component design by vendors in Asia, and put everything together. Apple on the other hand designs everything it uses from scratch (teams in Apple design display, camera modules etc. whereas Google just uses off the shelf components in their products). This is simply an outcome off the vast differences in scale, but the consequence is there simply aren't many places other than Apple to work for (I'm not considering the Asian vendors). 3) The entry barriers to starting something in hardware are much higher. While a coder with a laptop can put together something revolutionary like Bitcoin (I know this is an extreme example) in the software space, doing something like that in hardware requires one to not only know hardware design but other logistics, like manufacturing, supply chain management, distribution etc. 4) Again due to its nature, HW is concentrated in a few pockets (Bay Area and East Asia). With all the uncertainty around H1Bs (I'm Indian), I want to have an option in case working in US becomes impossible.
1) Software people have to deal with a lot of craps as well.
Imagine feeling like that, but getting paid shit and not at a good company. Hmm.
Aka 70k TC, I need a FAANG job
That's not even east coast salary bro...
How’s the market for embedded software development? Wouldn’t it be cool if you could write software for things that moved around? Maybe at Tesla or SpaceX? You could also leverage your EE background strongly.
This is easiest way to get in. Embedded tends to field resumes from both sides.
It feels under appreciated doing that work
Get into an early stage startup where you can learn, money may not be good but you may get the opportunity if you show intent and skill
Do firmware first
Just try applying for companies if you feel you're strong enough for entry level programming positions. Consider enrolling in a credible programming bootcamp. Leetcodeing your way is also a possibility
Coming to this thread a bit late. What did the OP end up doing finally. Did he Leetcode his way in to other FANG or still pursuing the OMSCS? I kinda have the same baggage tho been doing this for 10 years now.
What did you end up doing?
Is there any update on the this? Were you able to make the switch? I am also considering the same?
If only there was an internal website to find *cool jobs*
Thanks. I find the internal transfer process in Apple too messed up, as I have to go through practically a full round of interview, and inform my manager before interviewing. I would think makes more sense to interview externally, or informally talk with managers who know me.