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Ask HN: Not getting into tech even if I have a tech-related degree?

7 points by slategruen ↗ HN
I’m about to get my computer engineering degree but I’m having a hard time finishing because I’ve lost my passion and interest. Most of the time, I keep worrying about how difficult staying competitive in this field especially as I grow older. Should I still pursue this career path?

8 comments

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ssss11
If you’re outside of SV there are plenty of jobs and less competition. I’d suggest give it a go for a few years and if you don’t like it then leave but it would be a shame to give up before you’ve even started.
tentacleuno
You'll be fine. Just give it a go and if it isn't for you, that's fine. As the other commentor said, don't give up before you've given yourself a chance!
ThrowawayR2
You won't have to worry about "difficult[-y] staying competitive in this field especially as I grow older" because you won't even be in the running without the CompE degree. Unlike computer science and software engineering, there are very few jobs in computer engineering that will take an applicant without the degree seriously. You could switch to software development but people are piling into it like there's no tomorrow and most jobs there are just as boring as anything else.

Take a sabbatical semester off beforehand to recover if you have to but finish your degree.

slategruen
I forgot to mention it: although I've been studying computer engineering in university, the tech industry in my country is quite limited to software. While there's a handful of semiconductor companies here, very few from my university work there due to lower salaries and slow career growth. So while I might be qualified to work there, it would probably be more practical for me to go work in a CS/SE field.
GianFabien
I got my EE/CE degree a couple of decades ago. Although I worked as a programmer, it has been my CE degree + knowledge that has made it possible for me to get into other areas of engineering, e.g. network, embedded system, instrumentation, control, telemetry, telecommunications.

Unless you are working at chip level architectural design, the core principles haven't changed much and until we all have quantum computing based smartphones or some other comparable esoteric technology the core electronics and computer engineering principles will continue to hold relevance.

sigmaprimus
>>>until we all have quantum computing based smartphones or some other comparable esoteric technology...

I suspect even after quantum supremacy is achieved those who wear an iron ring will have an advantage due to their ability to grasp new concepts and foundational skill sets acquired through their pursuit of an engineering degree.

BigRedDog1669
You might feel differently about it after a while. I did CS and programming, but the first few years I had impostor syndrome and didn't enjoy it and thought I wouldn't hack it in the industry. The job search process used to really stress me out and make me question my worth. After a few years when I gained some confidence in my abilities (that helped more than experience) I enjoyed it a bit more and realized I liked it again. I just see programming as a job (not as a passion), but it still seems interesting and the most lucrative thing I could do that would stay interesting over decades.
sigmaprimus
Don't choke now!

Until You actually have the degree there is no point in worrying about staying competitive.

Many people have a hard time finishing what they start, in some ways that is the hardest part of a job or school. There are plenty of dreamers out there with unrealized degrees and unfished projects that seem to go through life bouncing from one idea or job to the next. Successful people have the fortitude to put in the hard work and achieve the goals they set out in the beginning.

If You are truly about to get your degree, don't sabotage your success by quitting now.