Should I Quit Programming?

[uzziah0]

Marcus Buckingham has written some great books on finding what you like to do. I've heard him speak, and have the "Go Do" book. I'm a SW engineer, the part about my job I like best if the figuring out what is wrong and fixing that, or figuring out some test in SW to detect some problem in the hardware. They are both problem solving. If you were doing something like that, from what you mention, you might be more interested. Mostly, I'd say figure out what you like, and how your particular talents and passions fit with that and pursue that.

[SlowRoasted]

Yes, please quit. It sounds more like you want to quit because it's hard to stay current, and you obviously don't have the mental stamina to do so. Maybe you should seek out a vocation that requires as little mental prowess as possible - like cleaning floors. Dirt never changes, and the process to eliminate it hasn't advanced in almost 5000 years, so it sounds like it's right up your alley. ROFL, that's exactly what I would have to stop myself from saying. In his defense, what one of the previous posters said about getting burned out may be his problem. I know for a fact that passion can be sucked dry by crappy management, ridiculous time lines and insane workloads. I'm in a situation like that now. Money is less of an issue than producing a badass product and being able to say that it was the best I could do. I took a job about 6 months ago that has been nothing but unrealistic deadlines and terrible communication. The end result for the last 6-8 projects has been applications I would be embarrassed to be associated with, and over time has made me cynical and bitter. I'm feeling less and less of the passion that I once had and I don't feel that it's my fault. I feel like I need to jump ship before I get to the point where I hate going to work, but that takes time. If you're getting burned out, I would definitely take the previous poster's advice and switch jobs first.

[Daniel R Przybylski]

Yes.

[grgran]

Take a vacation and get away from Tech for a while (you might just be burnt out). Did programming every excite you? Assess your financial situation cause if you move from what you are doing to what interests you, it will likely mean a pay cut (at very least in the short term). Also consider finding a way to try the "software installing and troubleshooting, Computer maintenance, user support" before jumping it. Perhaps your current employer has such a position that they will let you try for a while, or a part-time job at a local computer shop? It may be that you'd be happier outside of the world of computers, or working as a high level troubleshooter (with direct customer interaction) or marketing agent. Good Luck

[dujour]

Quit programming. Do something else.

[Todd Smith]

Programming: Love It or Leave It[^]

Todd Smith

[Yusubov E]

Really agree with comments. Very nice and practical advices... :-D

[Jupitersoft]

I agree - sometimes everyone tries to be too damn polite

[Daniel R Przybylski]

Consider asking what you would rather be doing than what you don't want to do. Consider books on self assesment that can help you find something that you would rather do. And be sure that you just don't work for an a-hole at a dumb company.

[patbob]

Yes, you should try -- there's nothing worse than grinding away at a job you don't like year after year. If you can afford the finnancial risk, then just go for it, preferably inside your existing company where you still have friendly managers that might be willing to bring you back in if you're wrong. My best career move was to take a "temporary" job in a group writing applications from my dream job as an entry level person in the company's OS group. After a few months, I didn't want to go back, which was a good thing because because it had silently become permanent. Maybe it was just the OS group manager's way of getting rid of me, but since I'd already done what his more senior people told him couldn't be done, maybe not. Doesn't matter anyway, I'm much happier and employed than if I'd stayed.

patbob

[cpkilekofp]

You may simply be experiencing "burn-out." Did you EVER love programming? What was it that attracted you to it in the first place?

[cpkilekofp]

PIEBALDconsult wrote:

Some jobs that I wish no one did:

Everyone has one of these lists. Fact is, if the need didn't exist, neither would the job.

PIEBALDconsult wrote:

meter maid,

This one keeps those assholes who think they own a particular piece of curb from homesteading on it. A necessary evil, in other words.

PIEBALDconsult wrote:

telemarketer

Some products don't sell themselves, but that doesn't mean they aren't worth buying. Granted, about 99% of telemarketed products are just someone's way of separating your cash from your wallet, but every now and then I get introduced to a product I actually need this way.

PIEBALDconsult wrote:

greeter

Who else is going to tell me after that long, long drive exactly where the restroom is? :laugh:

[Walter Thomas Jr]

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[Gary R Wheeler]

Ah, my point is made. Thanks, John :-D.

Software Zen: delete this;
Fold With Us![^]

[Boxsterjones]

And what are going to do when you come across something in your new career that you don't like? Quit again?. You definitely aren't great programmer material! To be even a good programmer, you gotta stay current and involved! Seek new technologies and always ask how you can become better. It sounds like you have lost all interest. When people ask questions like this, they usually are looking for validation. Here is your validation...QUIT! Get out of the way of someone who does care!

[yohuy]

I also have the same dillema. I'm almost 11 years in the industry, and I feel it's time to move on to something else. I'm not talking about software installation or troubleshooting, but rather try making money out of blogging. This discussion is very inspiring! Thanks, Yohay

[EhabAnshad]

Like what you do to do what you like... any career have it own problems and hardness if you just jump over and you change your career for each time you face trouble in your current job you will never built a career.. you will just switch from career to other, Please pause don't rush yourself think well try to like what you do for a while make some analysis to find where the problem and try to solve give it chance before you try to shift.. Ehab Anshad

[Marc Firth]

Yeah Give IT Support a go. That way you'll get to do reinstalls, test hardware and work with tech that's been around for a year or more rather than writing the new stuff.

Neonlight

[James Lonero]

To add to this line of thinking, early on in one's career, a programmer moves between (programming) jobs every 2 years. This allows him to get a quicker increase in his salary, increase his knowlege of software development, and give him more exposure to different development environments and domains. So, switch jobs to another company where your programming talents can develop. Also, after 4 years with the same company, you are probably burned out doing the same thing. Get your resume out there.