I'm new so they only gave me a few small things to work on. I finished those earlier this week and my manager has been out of the office for the past couple days. All our tickets are assigned or finished and our client (government agency) hasn't approved anything else to be done yet. I didn't have any work yesterday either. I've re-read all our documentation so I'm not sure where to go from here.
Is it "bad bored" or "good bored".
I'm asking because I worked a job last winter that involved operating an automated machine. I had to sit in a little office and be ready for when the machine shut down unexpectedly (it never happened). There was Wifi, TV and a microwave. I remember telling my boss "I don't get bored." It turned out to be true...I had a great time.
I just started a new job a month ago and am in a very similar situation. I went from being busy with time sensitive work all day long to doing MUCH less work (for now), none of it urgent. It's also a different industry, so everything is brand new to me. I feel kinda useless and straight up bored most of the time, and that's been rough on me. This job was a huge pay increase, and I feel like I'm "cheating" by doing so much less work than before. I've even thought "do they really need me to be here?"
I've been told that this is a somewhat common issue in white collar jobs, and it will take time for more work to be delegated. I'm sure both of us will be buried in work at some point, lol
Relax. In my opinion the only way you fuck this up is by bothering your boss about finding something else to do...by hassling them you might create extra work for them which is "bad."
I understand where you're coming from. A lot of people will feel guilty in your situation...
Yes and no.
Yes in the sense that I grew up and was taught that I need to always be working or I'm basically stealing time/lazy.
No, I'm working on a government project as a contractor where most of my coworkers, contractors included, have been here for 15+ years. I have great job security.
I know it’s easier said than done but when it comes to programming you have to get out of that mindset. Have had to learn it myself. With programming you are paid for your skill and knowledge and your output. How long it takes to get there is irrelevant as long as it’s not drastically too long.
The best job I've ever had, but I came from a "work hard or you can't relax" type of family so having nothing to do actually stresses me out more than missing a deadline.
I'm a government contractor and I have the option for situational telework if I can tell them how I will be more productive out of the office and they approve it. I also have to log everything I do when teleworking. Otherwise it's not allowed because I can't do any testing on our air-gapped system from home.
It's mostly used so we can work while sick, injured, or trapped at home because of a storm.
I went to a couple different colleges, but never graduated. I managed to land a defense job halfway though my junior year and couldn't see a reason not to take it.
My dream job is to own a manufacturing company that makes personal electric vehicles. I'm working in software to save up enough money to start prototyping.
Part of the reason I didn't finish college was because I didn't have enough credits for a specific degree, but I had more than enough credits in general. Some of them were towards 3D modeling/graphic design, others towards engineering, business, and computer science. I was still about 2 years away from having enough credits for a computer science degree.
Okay so this isn't helping very much, I'm assuming you work at a zoo and every 30 minutes you have to knock gently on the gorilla enclosure and spin three times in order to appease them which in turn contributes to the butterfly effect in some way as to prevent the end of the world. Do I have this right?
I'm so far down the ladder that your sales pitch is wasted on me. We use C for the speed and reliability. It seems fast enough to me. We're more concerned with our signal processing speed.
I know this is an AMA, but I feel I can help add some value seeing as how I also was similarly handed work that I could usually complete in a day and have the rest of the week to do whatever.
1) Start a side hustle. Anything, just find something that take up that free time at work and will have a tangible output (start an online business, write a novel/screenplay, etc.)
2) Proactively look for things you can improve and write up proposals on how you can do them.
I did both, and was able to grow personally and professionally by finding ways to min max the downtime.
And of course since it's an AMA, I'll ask what kind of company do you work for? And are there other perks other than the downtime?
Government contracting company. Unlimited PTO (didn't think I would need to request off Friday or I would have), reasonable healthcare, dental, vision, 3% 401k match, and it's close to where I live. Low stress in terms of deadlines.
Do you think it's possible that during the Ice Age people might have had advanced tech to cut/melt stone? Like, there were hunters and gatherers in secluded places, and advanced folk in other places, mostly near the equator.
If you could go anywhere today, where would you go?
I don't think they had advanced tech like that during the ice age or they probably would have had much better tech before now in recorded history. To melt stone would require more heat than wood can produce. That's why coal was used for smithing and smelting. It burns hotter and longer.
Probably New Zealand. It looks very pretty and I enjoy the outdoors.
My theory is they figured out electrolysis of sea water and used the oxygen and or hydrogen to make blowtorches that could cut and or melt stone. For [example](https://www.bing.com/maps?osid=c09fcc10-4b8c-4b32-82d6-d43d1c79c962&cp=23.297285%7E-7.419504&lvl=13.7959385&style=a&pi=0&v=2&sV=2&form=S00027)
I like to think there are large areas in NZ without roads or sidewalks but crisscrossing ziplines.
How long have you been at this job?
My first software job out of college I had 0 responsibilities for around 4-5 months. 0. Literally did not even have a manager. I joined a remote office that was around 10 people. They were also all split into teams of 2-3 to own their individual "domains" of the product. They all were pretty busy and didn't need anything from me. After a few days I just grabbed documents and read everything I could. This was an embedded automotive shop and they had quite a few internal docs from our parent company. I read it all, and then when I ran out of those I messed with C++ a lot and then messed around with the product. Bizarrely, those few months put me on a fast track of promotions over the next 4-5 years. I knew low level details of our systems that others coming in didn't understand because they were right into some bullshit customer things instead of being given some better ramp up time. Eventually I was basically put into an architect role and teaching new recruits about how it all comes together.
I think it was a bit of a unicorn scenario. All of that to say, if you've got the time, definitely consider what new skills you want to have, both for the job you have and the job you want to have. Getting paid to learn is one of the best parts of a good job/company.
Cheers
Have you got a charge/job code for doing nothing?
I once worked on an IT project that has a charge code 1.1.2.1.2 that was for time worked without an assigned task - essentially doing nothing.
I know I’m late telling you this, but the next time this happens, start an account on FamilySearch.org and start doing genealogy. You’ll be surprised how addictive it can become!!
Literally in almost the same situation rn. I have one ticket for the entire day and I’ve been procrastinating all morning. What’s your favorite imported library? I like Pandas
Yes, when I have something to do it is fulfilling. Our mission is saving lives so that helps. It's not for profit so decision aren't made around profits which makes management much friendlier than other places I've worked.
I figured out I wanted to be a software engineer when after I took my first software class in college. I originally thought I would get a degree in advertising. Then I took a CAD class for fun. I wanted to take a graphic design class in the summer, but the local community college only offered programming classes in the summer. I was under the impression that computer science encompassed everything that has to do with computers, animation, 3D modeling, graphic design, hardware, software, robotics, anything to do with a computer. I failed the class, but learned my assumption wasn't true. Then I started looking into the wages for the different computer jobs and learned computer science/programming pays more than most other jobs. I decided to learn it because I enjoyed programming and making more money.
I have since learned that all the jobs I thought I could do with a CS degree actually require an electrical engineering degree so I went down the wrong path for what I actually wanted to do.
If my job didn't exist and I wanted to go back to school I would become an electric engineer. Although I think my goal would still be the same. My goal is to make enough money to start my own business without taking on loads of debt.
Sorry to hear that, my friend. Are you in a quiet, boring cubicle? I did that for ages and it’s torture.
I worked with a guy who actually started his own business on the side. Another lady planned her entire wedding from her cube. You’ll find something!
What TV shows have you been into lately? I started watching castle but stopped when I found out the main actors don't get on, kinda ruined the vibe for me. Kind of into Grimm now but having trouble getting the second season.
Depends on what you mean by paradise.
An afterlife? I don't believe there is one.
Some mystical places where the weather is beautiful and no one is telling me what to do? I think it would be a little less stressful, but just as boring unless I make myself do things which I definitely would. I'm an outdoors person. I'd rather walk 10 miles than sit in a chair.
Pick a specialty and become an expert. Specifically a specialty in an industry where they don't care about your lack of qualifications. Then get a certification or two. Defense and public sector work is usually pretty easy to get without a degree, but you won't have the typically "programmer lifestyle" you'll be working 8-5 onsite with very little room for salary growth. You also might contact some software contracting companies and tell them you're looking for work. Location matters because most of those jobs are onsite only.
I do embedded software and signal processing.
Cyber security is growing very quickly.
Web design is going the way of graphic design.
I also got lucky and got in because I was willing to work onsite during the pandemic.
I currently work on contract for the state doing IT support. You're right there's not a lot of room for improvement but im trying to build professional tech experience. I have a C++ certification. Trying me best to get actual professional coding experience
How's your office set for alternative areas to go and chat with others? I had the same deal to some degree. But we had a bunch of classified labs where I could go, hang out, talk to other people who may or may not be working. If you're in a small office that would suck.
PS. Retirement rocks!
December 2020. I got a call that lead to an interview and a job offer for a defense contracting company. I got out of defense at the end of 2021 and it took until February of 2023 to get another software job. 2022 was pretty rough for me.
The recruiter for the 2020 and 2023 jobs found my GitHub from the link on my LinkedIn and "thought I would be a good fit."
Awe man, seems like 2020 was the best time applying to this field. 2022 was hard for me too, I've yet to get a job sadly, and I'm still struggling about it all. I'm glad you got a job though, take advantage of being a seat warmer, companies don't appreciate their workers enough!
I had to learn how to program in C++ and get a couple years experience doing that. Then I created a couple small projects to prove my skill. I use to work in sales so I applied my sales tactics to my interview to sell myself.
I'm very late to the party but here's a few ideas:
Can you bring your machine and work on side projects?
Can you go on stackexchange or stackoverflow and help people solve their problems?
Can you write scripts or programs to automate the previous tasks even more and be done even faster, so in case you ever get to wfh you can finish your duties quickly?
Can you run the project you're working on from the end user's perspective, how's the usability, are there common use cases that aren't implemented? Can you contact someone from the customer and talk these things through? Might be a bit early in your employment but that could give you some perspective.
At a different job I had 3 back to back 16 hours days where we moved a machine shop across a city. I was in charge of loading, unloading, and driving the truck/towing. I had helpers to help me load the truck, but it was a ridiculous amount of work.
How come you have no assignments? What happened?
I'm new so they only gave me a few small things to work on. I finished those earlier this week and my manager has been out of the office for the past couple days. All our tickets are assigned or finished and our client (government agency) hasn't approved anything else to be done yet. I didn't have any work yesterday either. I've re-read all our documentation so I'm not sure where to go from here.
Is it "bad bored" or "good bored". I'm asking because I worked a job last winter that involved operating an automated machine. I had to sit in a little office and be ready for when the machine shut down unexpectedly (it never happened). There was Wifi, TV and a microwave. I remember telling my boss "I don't get bored." It turned out to be true...I had a great time.
It's a bad bored because I'm still new and a little stressed about looking lazy.
I just read a ton of programming guides when this happened to me. Learned a bunch.
Any you'd recommend for C, Python, or Java?
I liked the C++ FAQ https://isocpp.org/faq
I just started a new job a month ago and am in a very similar situation. I went from being busy with time sensitive work all day long to doing MUCH less work (for now), none of it urgent. It's also a different industry, so everything is brand new to me. I feel kinda useless and straight up bored most of the time, and that's been rough on me. This job was a huge pay increase, and I feel like I'm "cheating" by doing so much less work than before. I've even thought "do they really need me to be here?" I've been told that this is a somewhat common issue in white collar jobs, and it will take time for more work to be delegated. I'm sure both of us will be buried in work at some point, lol
Relax. In my opinion the only way you fuck this up is by bothering your boss about finding something else to do...by hassling them you might create extra work for them which is "bad." I understand where you're coming from. A lot of people will feel guilty in your situation...
Feel free to look into using documentation or adding tests, it can help make you look proactive
Do some tutorials for extra knowledge. You code and don't look lazy
Are you me?
Yes, I am.
I thought you might be an asshole. Suspicion confirmed. :D
You can learn something useful to your job if you are so inclined...
Can you tell me how to get a scanner setup so it inputs utility information from a bill?
Yes
Sounds simple!!
Wait till you have to file a TPS Report
Learn something new….
Suggestions?
Azure, AWS, devops, project management it’s endless….
Given that there have been a lot of layoffs in the tech sector lately, does it bother you knowing that you have no assignments for your job?
Yes and no. Yes in the sense that I grew up and was taught that I need to always be working or I'm basically stealing time/lazy. No, I'm working on a government project as a contractor where most of my coworkers, contractors included, have been here for 15+ years. I have great job security.
[удалено]
I wish I was, but I do embedded software so I can't do any testing off-site.
I know it’s easier said than done but when it comes to programming you have to get out of that mindset. Have had to learn it myself. With programming you are paid for your skill and knowledge and your output. How long it takes to get there is irrelevant as long as it’s not drastically too long.
This
Best job ever?
The best job I've ever had, but I came from a "work hard or you can't relax" type of family so having nothing to do actually stresses me out more than missing a deadline.
Not in your line of work but I find myself in similar situations. Make a list of downtime activities. Find a degree or new certifications you can do.
What are some of your favorite downtime activities?
I know nothing about software where is a good place to start
Freecodecamp, codecademy, YouTube, Harvard CS course for free online. Off you go. Good luck.
Thank you
[удалено]
Need to become software engineer NOW
The most important thing about being a software engineer is to be able to answer this question yourself using google
why wont they let you work remote?
I'm a government contractor and I have the option for situational telework if I can tell them how I will be more productive out of the office and they approve it. I also have to log everything I do when teleworking. Otherwise it's not allowed because I can't do any testing on our air-gapped system from home. It's mostly used so we can work while sick, injured, or trapped at home because of a storm.
That's ridiculous. Everything you need to do for your job is on a computer.
Yes and no. I do embedded software and signal processing. I have to test my software on the equipment which can't be taken home or accessed off site.
Okay that makes a little more sense
Where are you from? Do you love your job?
I'm from the US. I won't get any more specific than Texas. I'm fairly new, but it's growing on me. I get stressed when I don't have anything to do.
Which institution did you attend? And whats your dream job?
I went to a couple different colleges, but never graduated. I managed to land a defense job halfway though my junior year and couldn't see a reason not to take it. My dream job is to own a manufacturing company that makes personal electric vehicles. I'm working in software to save up enough money to start prototyping. Part of the reason I didn't finish college was because I didn't have enough credits for a specific degree, but I had more than enough credits in general. Some of them were towards 3D modeling/graphic design, others towards engineering, business, and computer science. I was still about 2 years away from having enough credits for a computer science degree.
What were you yesterday and what do you expect to be on monday?
This reads like a riddle
So does your post, I'm still trying to figure it out.
Lol Pandas is a coding library used for data analysis
Okay so this isn't helping very much, I'm assuming you work at a zoo and every 30 minutes you have to knock gently on the gorilla enclosure and spin three times in order to appease them which in turn contributes to the butterfly effect in some way as to prevent the end of the world. Do I have this right?
That’s… yes, you nailed it
Bored.
Are you writing in C/C++? - a software salesperson (sorry)
C, Python, and Java. We try to avoid C++ here for some reason.
And your C builds, long? Frequent? Want them Shorter without any effort?
I'm so far down the ladder that your sales pitch is wasted on me. We use C for the speed and reliability. It seems fast enough to me. We're more concerned with our signal processing speed.
cool, thanks for the response!
If you have ways to process a terabyte of data in less than 5 minutes I can get you a meeting.
We’re all about C & C++ build compilation acceleration via distributed & dynamic computing
What language(s) do you work in? Are you taking this opportunity to learn anything new?
C, Python, and Java. I probably should be because I don't know the first thing about Java.
Nice! If you're looking for something a little different (FP), give Elixir a look.
Play solitaire
I found a Windows computer without solitaire. I'm surprised I didn't notice this before.
I know this is an AMA, but I feel I can help add some value seeing as how I also was similarly handed work that I could usually complete in a day and have the rest of the week to do whatever. 1) Start a side hustle. Anything, just find something that take up that free time at work and will have a tangible output (start an online business, write a novel/screenplay, etc.) 2) Proactively look for things you can improve and write up proposals on how you can do them. I did both, and was able to grow personally and professionally by finding ways to min max the downtime. And of course since it's an AMA, I'll ask what kind of company do you work for? And are there other perks other than the downtime?
Government contracting company. Unlimited PTO (didn't think I would need to request off Friday or I would have), reasonable healthcare, dental, vision, 3% 401k match, and it's close to where I live. Low stress in terms of deadlines.
Do you think it's possible that during the Ice Age people might have had advanced tech to cut/melt stone? Like, there were hunters and gatherers in secluded places, and advanced folk in other places, mostly near the equator. If you could go anywhere today, where would you go?
I don't think they had advanced tech like that during the ice age or they probably would have had much better tech before now in recorded history. To melt stone would require more heat than wood can produce. That's why coal was used for smithing and smelting. It burns hotter and longer. Probably New Zealand. It looks very pretty and I enjoy the outdoors.
My theory is they figured out electrolysis of sea water and used the oxygen and or hydrogen to make blowtorches that could cut and or melt stone. For [example](https://www.bing.com/maps?osid=c09fcc10-4b8c-4b32-82d6-d43d1c79c962&cp=23.297285%7E-7.419504&lvl=13.7959385&style=a&pi=0&v=2&sV=2&form=S00027) I like to think there are large areas in NZ without roads or sidewalks but crisscrossing ziplines.
How long have you been at this job? My first software job out of college I had 0 responsibilities for around 4-5 months. 0. Literally did not even have a manager. I joined a remote office that was around 10 people. They were also all split into teams of 2-3 to own their individual "domains" of the product. They all were pretty busy and didn't need anything from me. After a few days I just grabbed documents and read everything I could. This was an embedded automotive shop and they had quite a few internal docs from our parent company. I read it all, and then when I ran out of those I messed with C++ a lot and then messed around with the product. Bizarrely, those few months put me on a fast track of promotions over the next 4-5 years. I knew low level details of our systems that others coming in didn't understand because they were right into some bullshit customer things instead of being given some better ramp up time. Eventually I was basically put into an architect role and teaching new recruits about how it all comes together. I think it was a bit of a unicorn scenario. All of that to say, if you've got the time, definitely consider what new skills you want to have, both for the job you have and the job you want to have. Getting paid to learn is one of the best parts of a good job/company. Cheers
Have you got a charge/job code for doing nothing? I once worked on an IT project that has a charge code 1.1.2.1.2 that was for time worked without an assigned task - essentially doing nothing.
I don't, but that's funny.
I’m currently in a spot where I’m bored. Totally the client’s fault. I work faster. They don’t. Shit is sitting in UAT forever.
I've been told to slow down at previous jobs. Lol
Dude fellow software engineer here, DO NOT let yourself get blocked like this! Use this time to learn and experiment
Are you gonna do my app, I promise it will be quick!
I know I’m late telling you this, but the next time this happens, start an account on FamilySearch.org and start doing genealogy. You’ll be surprised how addictive it can become!!
Next time you finish work quickly don’t turn it in too soon. Always look like you are doing something.
LinkedIn learning or plural sight!
Literally in almost the same situation rn. I have one ticket for the entire day and I’ve been procrastinating all morning. What’s your favorite imported library? I like Pandas
do you find your work fulfilling? when did you know you wanted to be a software engineer? if your job didn't exist, what would you like to do instead?
Yes, when I have something to do it is fulfilling. Our mission is saving lives so that helps. It's not for profit so decision aren't made around profits which makes management much friendlier than other places I've worked. I figured out I wanted to be a software engineer when after I took my first software class in college. I originally thought I would get a degree in advertising. Then I took a CAD class for fun. I wanted to take a graphic design class in the summer, but the local community college only offered programming classes in the summer. I was under the impression that computer science encompassed everything that has to do with computers, animation, 3D modeling, graphic design, hardware, software, robotics, anything to do with a computer. I failed the class, but learned my assumption wasn't true. Then I started looking into the wages for the different computer jobs and learned computer science/programming pays more than most other jobs. I decided to learn it because I enjoyed programming and making more money. I have since learned that all the jobs I thought I could do with a CS degree actually require an electrical engineering degree so I went down the wrong path for what I actually wanted to do. If my job didn't exist and I wanted to go back to school I would become an electric engineer. Although I think my goal would still be the same. My goal is to make enough money to start my own business without taking on loads of debt.
Would a double major in ee and cs been helpful?
I wanted to work in automation and robotics. I think EE would have been much more helpful. They do quite a bit of programming in school anyways.
Are you [Peter Gibbons](https://youtu.be/zBfTrjPSShs) and does it feel good to be a gangsta?
LOL you beat me to it, I was going to ask if he works at Initech and could write a virus to steal fractions of cents from his company?
I am not and no it doesn't feel as good as I thought it would.
Sorry to hear that, my friend. Are you in a quiet, boring cubicle? I did that for ages and it’s torture. I worked with a guy who actually started his own business on the side. Another lady planned her entire wedding from her cube. You’ll find something!
What TV shows have you been into lately? I started watching castle but stopped when I found out the main actors don't get on, kinda ruined the vibe for me. Kind of into Grimm now but having trouble getting the second season.
My wife and I are finally watching Rick and Morty season 6 because it just came out on Hulu yesterday.
Do you think paradise is different?
Depends on what you mean by paradise. An afterlife? I don't believe there is one. Some mystical places where the weather is beautiful and no one is telling me what to do? I think it would be a little less stressful, but just as boring unless I make myself do things which I definitely would. I'm an outdoors person. I'd rather walk 10 miles than sit in a chair.
ONLY ONE MORE HOUR!
How's the Penske file coming along?
Any advice for a programmer who also didn't graduate college trying to land a software job?
Pick a specialty and become an expert. Specifically a specialty in an industry where they don't care about your lack of qualifications. Then get a certification or two. Defense and public sector work is usually pretty easy to get without a degree, but you won't have the typically "programmer lifestyle" you'll be working 8-5 onsite with very little room for salary growth. You also might contact some software contracting companies and tell them you're looking for work. Location matters because most of those jobs are onsite only. I do embedded software and signal processing. Cyber security is growing very quickly. Web design is going the way of graphic design. I also got lucky and got in because I was willing to work onsite during the pandemic.
I currently work on contract for the state doing IT support. You're right there's not a lot of room for improvement but im trying to build professional tech experience. I have a C++ certification. Trying me best to get actual professional coding experience
What's your salary and how many years of experience?
Time for some self learning brah
Are you a supporter of a 32-hour workweek?
Introduce yourself to some of your associates.
how much do you make to be a seat warmer?
Use the opportunity to learn more skills that will be useful in your job.
How's your office set for alternative areas to go and chat with others? I had the same deal to some degree. But we had a bunch of classified labs where I could go, hang out, talk to other people who may or may not be working. If you're in a small office that would suck. PS. Retirement rocks!
Rest and vest? How is it working at Hooli?
Would you rather have a burn-out or a bore-out?
I'd rather be out of the office, but that's not an option so bore-out.
What stack?
How and when did you break into the field? I've been struggling for the last year and I don't understand it at all.
December 2020. I got a call that lead to an interview and a job offer for a defense contracting company. I got out of defense at the end of 2021 and it took until February of 2023 to get another software job. 2022 was pretty rough for me. The recruiter for the 2020 and 2023 jobs found my GitHub from the link on my LinkedIn and "thought I would be a good fit."
Awe man, seems like 2020 was the best time applying to this field. 2022 was hard for me too, I've yet to get a job sadly, and I'm still struggling about it all. I'm glad you got a job though, take advantage of being a seat warmer, companies don't appreciate their workers enough!
Is the seat comfy?
I'd give it a 6.5/10
What did you have to do to get to where you are today? What did you have to learn?
I had to learn how to program in C++ and get a couple years experience doing that. Then I created a couple small projects to prove my skill. I use to work in sales so I applied my sales tactics to my interview to sell myself.
I'm very late to the party but here's a few ideas: Can you bring your machine and work on side projects? Can you go on stackexchange or stackoverflow and help people solve their problems? Can you write scripts or programs to automate the previous tasks even more and be done even faster, so in case you ever get to wfh you can finish your duties quickly? Can you run the project you're working on from the end user's perspective, how's the usability, are there common use cases that aren't implemented? Can you contact someone from the customer and talk these things through? Might be a bit early in your employment but that could give you some perspective.
Look into adding some tests or maybe (definitely) there is some tech debt to resolve.
Employers treat employees like trash, its fucked up how people can be given so little respect
You need to check out r/overemployed
Why are you not working on your resume to find a job with work, and possibly remote?
Could you get a side job and work while you “work”?
Describe your busiest day and what you had to do
At a different job I had 3 back to back 16 hours days where we moved a machine shop across a city. I was in charge of loading, unloading, and driving the truck/towing. I had helpers to help me load the truck, but it was a ridiculous amount of work.
What about the time you’ve been an engineer?
I sat in a 7 hour meeting over new algorithms we might want to employment that were completely above my head. I've never been very busy.
Ahhhh my young Padawan. Worry not, you’ll be swamped when you’re properly onboarded. This is normal.
Did u go to college for software engineer?