3.5 years. But that’s because I haven’t found “the place” yet like it sounds like you have.
8-10 hours with few breaks. (I used to skip breakfast and sometimes lunch too…coffee diet) It started as a necessity and then became a habit. I have to retrain myself to take breaks and walk away and give my brain some breathing room and fresh air. This doesn’t include the time I spent thinking about problems while driving or in the shower… I’ve made progress breaking those habits though.
Nice, congratulations! Sounds like all good things!
I’m happy that I switched from electrical engineering to software engineering. I feel like the prospects are better and still feel that way even though things are rough right now.
I regret being scared during my first 5 years as a software engineer. I’ve stayed in jobs too long. Going forward, once I get that feeling that I’ve outgrown a role I know its time to start looking for the next thing. No more lingering for that extra year. I’m in my mid 30s and so am feeling the age pressure to make my next couple big moves soon before I’m looked at as too old to be an “IC with a bright future” haha.
Thanks for the detailed write up! Send the “whole rant” my way. I’d read it.