is software engineering worth it (aka am I cooked)
hello,
basically I’ve nearly finished yr12 and have changed my mind about the career I want to go into (wanted to go into robotics engineering, realised I enjoyed the programming/theory/modelling aspects more so planning to go into software engineering now and maybe delve into modelling later on in my career). Thing is, due to the rise in AI and the increase in layoffs as of late, I’m worried that by the time I go into uni and finish my degree, I’ll be unable to secure a job and basically be in debt for no good reason (I’m also worried that might not even be the right choice career wise, but that’s a ✨future me problem✨).
so am I cooked, or should I stop crashing out lmao
basically I’ve nearly finished yr12 and have changed my mind about the career I want to go into (wanted to go into robotics engineering, realised I enjoyed the programming/theory/modelling aspects more so planning to go into software engineering now and maybe delve into modelling later on in my career). Thing is, due to the rise in AI and the increase in layoffs as of late, I’m worried that by the time I go into uni and finish my degree, I’ll be unable to secure a job and basically be in debt for no good reason (I’m also worried that might not even be the right choice career wise, but that’s a ✨future me problem✨).
so am I cooked, or should I stop crashing out lmao
(edited 4 weeks ago)
Original post by staristrying
hello,
basically I’ve nearly finished yr12 and have changed my mind about the career I want to go into (wanted to go into robotics engineering, realised I enjoyed the programming/theory/modelling aspects more so planning to go into software engineering now and maybe delve into modelling later on in my career). Thing is, due to the rise in AI and the increase in layoffs as of late, I’m worried that by the time I go into uni and finish my degree, I’ll be unable to secure a job and basically be in debt for no good reason (I’m also worried that might not even be the right choice career wise, but that’s a ✨future me problem✨).
so am I cooked, or should I stop crashing out lmao
basically I’ve nearly finished yr12 and have changed my mind about the career I want to go into (wanted to go into robotics engineering, realised I enjoyed the programming/theory/modelling aspects more so planning to go into software engineering now and maybe delve into modelling later on in my career). Thing is, due to the rise in AI and the increase in layoffs as of late, I’m worried that by the time I go into uni and finish my degree, I’ll be unable to secure a job and basically be in debt for no good reason (I’m also worried that might not even be the right choice career wise, but that’s a ✨future me problem✨).
so am I cooked, or should I stop crashing out lmao
So first things first - you won't be in debt. If you end up unemployed for a couple of years, no one is going to come banging on your door asking for payment - that is what happens when you are in genuine debt.
Secondly, yes, AI is out there but if you put "Write me a robotics system" into ChatGPT, you will find it doesn't do a very good job. AI is very good at specific tasks but it is hopeless at doing things for which it has no context and also things that are complicated. And would you trust AI to write a safety critical system? At the very least skilled staff are required to check that what it has done works and is complete.
So if you want to go into Software, go into Software. And please, never consider student finance as debt. It is anything but debt. The only thing that kills this notion is the government's incompetence in calling it a loan when in reality it is a graduate tax.
Reply 2
Original post by hotpud
So first things first - you won't be in debt. If you end up unemployed for a couple of years, no one is going to come banging on your door asking for payment - that is what happens when you are in genuine debt.
Secondly, yes, AI is out there but if you put "Write me a robotics system" into ChatGPT, you will find it doesn't do a very good job. AI is very good at specific tasks but it is hopeless at doing things for which it has no context and also things that are complicated. And would you trust AI to write a safety critical system? At the very least skilled staff are required to check that what it has done works and is complete.
So if you want to go into Software, go into Software. And please, never consider student finance as debt. It is anything but debt. The only thing that kills this notion is the government's incompetence in calling it a loan when in reality it is a graduate tax.
Secondly, yes, AI is out there but if you put "Write me a robotics system" into ChatGPT, you will find it doesn't do a very good job. AI is very good at specific tasks but it is hopeless at doing things for which it has no context and also things that are complicated. And would you trust AI to write a safety critical system? At the very least skilled staff are required to check that what it has done works and is complete.
So if you want to go into Software, go into Software. And please, never consider student finance as debt. It is anything but debt. The only thing that kills this notion is the government's incompetence in calling it a loan when in reality it is a graduate tax.
hello! Thank you, that’s lessened my worries ^_^
I also wasn’t aware that student loans weren’t actually debt, so apologies for making an misinformed statement 😓
Original post by staristrying
hello,
basically I’ve nearly finished yr12 and have changed my mind about the career I want to go into (wanted to go into robotics engineering, realised I enjoyed the programming/theory/modelling aspects more so planning to go into software engineering now and maybe delve into modelling later on in my career). Thing is, due to the rise in AI and the increase in layoffs as of late, I’m worried that by the time I go into uni and finish my degree, I’ll be unable to secure a job and basically be in debt for no good reason (I’m also worried that might not even be the right choice career wise, but that’s a ✨future me problem✨).
so am I cooked, or should I stop crashing out lmao
basically I’ve nearly finished yr12 and have changed my mind about the career I want to go into (wanted to go into robotics engineering, realised I enjoyed the programming/theory/modelling aspects more so planning to go into software engineering now and maybe delve into modelling later on in my career). Thing is, due to the rise in AI and the increase in layoffs as of late, I’m worried that by the time I go into uni and finish my degree, I’ll be unable to secure a job and basically be in debt for no good reason (I’m also worried that might not even be the right choice career wise, but that’s a ✨future me problem✨).
so am I cooked, or should I stop crashing out lmao
Which way do you want me to put it? The blunt way or the nice way? Hotpud already mentioned the student loan side of things.
I've replied to a few people already on this same subject.
I had over 5 years of experience when I graduated and still had to apply to over 900 places before I got an offer. Only around 12 even got back to me past the initial screening.
Same story for a lot of my mates. Some of them went to the best unis in the country and still struggled. Quite a few still don’t have jobs in CS.
It's not getting better either. More and more people are graduating in CS, but the number of junior dev roles isn't keeping up. AI won't replace developers completely, but it is making current ones more efficient, so there’s less need for as many juniors. My own output has gone up a lot. I used to get through loads of features pre-AI, but now I can push them out even quicker. The code still needs refining, sure, but I can do that myself faster than bringing someone else in. It’s basically like having a built-in junior doing reviews already, and it’s only going to improve.
If you’re passionate, then yeah, it’s worth it—but only if you’re not in it for the money. A lot of grad roles barely scrape above minimum wage. Some places were offering £25K to £28K, and even the bigger names weren’t much better, maybe just over £30K. You’ll have days where you're working from 7am till midnight, maybe longer.
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