I got hired into defense industry after college and was promoted to sr engineer in first 3 years. Team is great and tech stack is mish mash of the standard proprietary defense-industry standard goop with some things that other companies are using. I'm worried that if hang out here much longer companies are going to turn their nose away from me because I'm not learning much. At the same time I'm pursuing my masters so I'm conflicted. What should I do? Tc 112k
Used to be in defense a long time ago. My advice is to quit (if possible financially) and go full time effort into big tech. You’ll literally recover your annual missed wages in like 3 months lol.
I would but I am nowhere near responsible enough to teach myself in my free time.
Get an accountability partner that studies with you. I also suck at teaching myself LC, and having a person to study with was by far the best thing.
I'm a data scientist/ml researcher at an FFRDC (so basically defense/gov) who's looking to move on. I'm using my chill WLB to make time to grind leetcode and study system design and various data science and ml things I've forgotten from classes. People seem to be able to leave defense okay enough if they can pass interviews so I'm not too worried. I just want to get out and make enough to buy a house here eventually.
Gtfo ASAP
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I was in a similar situation. Was in defense for over 4 years. Promoted very quickly to senior. Decided to jump ship during the Great Resignation and more than doubled my TC by going to big tech. I was also doing my masters part time but found a window to leave without having to pay back anything. Additionally, many FAANG/Big Tech are used to paying back any commitments you have. Had a friend who had a scholarship for service, immediately left govt for Apple and they paid out her commitments.
Thanks, I actually have an on-site Google interview here in a couple months so maybe our paths will align a bit more
Good luck!