Inherited a decent 1.5M+ multi family house in Queens, NY. Grandparents passed and gave it all to me and my parents. Loved them so much so it took me months to recover, but now reality sets in and I’m deeply rethinking my life. I wanna quit and just take a 1 year break to pursue my passion in drawing and content creation (already making a few thousand followers). I can rent a floor for extra income like 3k+/month while unemployed and also avoid paying rent. Monthly expenses super low <2k. I’m in my mid 20s, with just retired, aging parents extremely frugal. I wanna spend more time with them since they were always away for work for the past 10 years. I don’t enjoy California or my work at Google (my new grad job) but it pays 200k. California tax is insane and I hate paying rent here. Have decent savings that’ll cover me for 2+ years. I don’t see a reason to work hard while having a house. I can always make more money but jumping to L+1 when I’m back. But I’m a bit afraid of finding a new job after a long career gap. Also seeing my friends at uniforns/hedge funds makes me feel like a lazy bum. Feel like my life has been meaning less chasing money. Am I being dumb? Life made me a workaholic so I feel very lost starting all over on my passions. #google #hobbies #burnout #housing l
Transfer teams to NYC. There are better ways to do this. Not working will set you back later in life. You will be able to find time to spend with your family so long as you WFH.
Thought about it. Problem is impossible to transfer team/location at G right now. L3 not important enough to get location change approval. Team change is inundated with internal applications from laid off folks. Extremely bad culture right now. I wish this worked. I applied 2 WFH in NY weeks before and enjoyed it so much more than this shithole California. But NYC office is terrible too, extremely packed, smelly, and much longer commute. Idk any more.
I mean, if you’re any good at your job, you can always leave. Coinbase is hiring.
Owning a house is really expensive. There’s property taxes, utilities and upkeep. Generally employers want to see that you can string together a few years at one place or 2-3 year commitments so they know you’re reliable and won’t flake.
I know. That scares me too. We have calculated enough money to cover all that (house expenses, life expenses), but it’s still daunting to just quit. If I quit I’ll have 2 YOE now. Maybe that’s ok?
Yoe? Asking since you wrote new grad job and burn out. How are you burnt out if you’re a new grad? My answer will depend on your actual yoe
YOE 2. Google culture has been extremely bad starting this Jan. Been working over time every week now since Jan. I know this might sound like whining but I’m more burned out from never taking a break since college. Never had a free summer even after graduating. Went straight to work. I now realize it was a really bad idea and want to make a big change in life.
Well, I read your other reply on how you’re working on your side business as well. And the jumping into full time roles straight after college. While I sympathize with what you’re going through, many of us in tech have had to go through pretty much the same ordeal. Intense bachelors, even more intense masters and then first few years (not 2 but a lot more, sometimes 10+) really slogging it out to build the skill set, gain experience to stay relevant etc often without a break. That said, everyone’s burnout threshold varies. Since you’re only 2 yoe, here’s what I’ll recommend: 1. If possible, transfer closer to your parents (since it seems you really value their support and would like to be physically present around them) 2. Change jobs to be closer to them. Maybe try to move into a less demanding role for some time. You can also look into working for SLED organizations or non profits where the work will also be more meaningful. 3. Take FMLA or medical leave (paid/unpaid) for sure before taking any irreversible actions. Completely Disconnect, go away and do nothing. That means no side hustle or side work. Do nothing except focus on your health - mental and physical. Start with sleeping enough, eating right, exercising/walking and just taking care of yourself... spend time with your family and loved ones throughout. Once you have that down for a bit, explore your hobbies, travel etc. Also let your brain breathe by making time to do nothing and be bored. This is when you’ll soon start realizing what’s the best path you want to take forward. So do take this time. 4. If not taking extended medical leave (although you might benefit a lot from it), don’t fill up all your days every single day. Take a sick leave or paid leaves here n there. Stop taking extra projects at work. Give yourself time to do nothing (hence giving yourself an actual break to be able to breathe and think through things clearly). Start with this before you quit. The market is what it is right now so keep that in mind but not at the sake of your health (mental or physical). The market will recover sooner or later but your body and mind may not. So work everyday on building resilience, good habits, time away from screen as much as possible. All the best.
Don't. Working at Google is a privilege and we don't know how the market will be in the future (AI etc). Make the most of it as long as you can and use time off and weekends to focus on hobbies. The extra money gives you some peace of mind but you are still going and life still long
But what if I can come back at Meta/Apple/Unicorns at L+1? Interned there and seems more rewarding and challenging. I’m just too burned out to do anything else outside work now :(
I recommend you take a medical leave, even if unpaid for a few.months, then go travel or focus on your hobbies. This break will help you feel better and come back stronger. How would you get L+1 by taking a break from work? You can also charge teams once you return from your medical break. I know a friend who did this in my old company (Meta) after taking a 5+ months medical leave
You are not dumb. It is absolutely ok to want to pursue things that are more fulfilling. That said, your grandparents worked hard, bought a house and now you and your parents can benefit from it. I think you need to steer your retired parents to enjoy their life and live outside the box of frugality. Let them travel the world and do things. As far as your art stuff goes, it sounds like you are already sorta doing it as a hobby. I would not walk away from the job that you have right now, not yet. Don’t take it for granted. Try to balance work and your hobby. Transferring to a role in NY within Google makes more sense that way you continue to save on rent and keep working. Also, while it is great to have savings, remember to spend and live as well. You cannot take it to your grave.
Absolutely! Thanks! My parents literally just retired and I’m encouraging them to go have fun while being safe. I’m trying to balance for sure, but it’s just really tough since I work overtime every week and so tired of this boring work. I wish transferring would work but see my other answers.
Only 2 YOE in your first job and then a gap is not going to translate well. You will likely settle for a lower TC unless the job market is like 2021. Also, if you can’t handle overtime in your early 20s you sure as hell won’t be able to handle it later in life. My 2 coppers …don’t quit unless you find a different remote role. With only 2 YOE you don’t have a marketable niche yet. That takes at least 5 years. After 5 years at Google, you will be in a better position to walk away. Get a mentor within Google that is outside your immediate team, that can help you navigate work stuff a little better. You can bet I have been through multiple sprints of overrrrr working and have relied on mentors to help me be more productive with less time.
You only have 1 life dawg, fulfill your dreams. I wish I could be in your position
Thanks! I know I’m lucky. I wish all the best for you!
You are on your 20s want to take a year break and you call yourself workaholic??? Seriously?? Doesn’t sound workaholic at all..
Maybe I wasn’t clear enough. I never took a break in college, went to dozens hackathons, did AI research, 3 FAANG internships, CS teaching assistants, etc. Never had a free summer and never traveled. Straight into job and now working over time every week. Working on my art and side business during free time. I’m not sure if that’s workaholic enough? My whole point is to stop being like this again.
You should have taken a few months off before joining. Mental burnout, boredom happens. Go take a month off like I said. You’ll find yourself changed. Personally I’d go to Costa Rica or Bali or somewhere and just go lie on beach everyday.
The easy answer that many will tell you, is to quit and take a year off. At the risk of founding like a curmudgeon, I disagree. a) You are not established yet b) You are assuming you can easily find a job back. No one knows the future, specially with AI. c) You shouldn't be throwing away the opportunity of a life time because you are tired. Find ways to find WLB OR how to work overtime and not be stressed. In your 20's, even if the company did not ask you to, you should be working overtime, for your own sake. d) Remember, money and experience compound, and the more you put away now, will set you up in life. Suggestions a) take a break for 3-4 weeks and get away with parents. go to the beach or someplace warm b) schedule frequent trips with your parents and you, even 3 days breaks will help with stress c) find ways to motivate yourself
I’ll take all the great suggestions. Thanks! How is Google “opportunities of a lifetime”? All my friends work at judge funds, HFT, uniforms, other big techs. I genuinely don’t feel like Google is special. Also, if future is hard, isn’t jumping ship also gonna be hard? No way I’ll stay at Google for ages. I’m not a coaster.
Go for it. Your parents won't be around forever. There will always be other jobs.
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Thanks! I know I’m lucky. I wish all the best for you!