Seeking Career Advice

[Tier3 9]

Hi all, I need some advice. I'm currently working in the data space for the last year. I was hoping it was going to be just fixing data issues and getting left alone to code (SQL and Python) but it turns out it sucks. So instead of peacefully being able to code and solve problems, I instead find myself trying to explain, what I find to be extremely simple and basic tech concepts, to complete fucking morons who aren't grasping it... To me, this particular role is not entry level, so I'm thoroughly confused now. I've always loved coding, scripting, automating, building.

So my question is does anyone have any advice for getting a job that I have the freedom to create creative solutions to problems and be left alone to just code.  And also what can help me get noticed without a degree? Something tells me an automated rigged gambling host, or botting several 99s on a 25 year old point and click childrens game is not something companies would even understand, let alone care about lol. I can't really put the stuff I built for previous companies in my portfolio, legal reasons obviously. So I'm at a loss. Do I stay here and miserably work my way up the corporate shit steps? Or do any non dogshit jobs exist? 

Edited February 17 by Tier3
Tldr

[obersi 10]

[Tier3 9]

Yeah basically lol, kinda sad it's censored though. Seriously though can someone at least confirm for me that jobs that aren't complete dogshit exist out there somewhere.

(Non stoners can't appreciate the detail, shortened op)

Edited February 10 by Tier3

[NikolaiFedoro 0]

On 2/9/2025 at 6:40 PM, Tier3 said:

Hi all, I need some advice. I'm currently working in the data space for the last year. I was hoping it was going to be just fixing data issues and getting left alone to code (SQL and Python) but it turns out it sucks. So instead of peacefully being able to code and solve problems, I instead find myself trying to explain, what I find to be extremely simple and basic tech concepts, to complete fucking morons who aren't grasping it... To me, this particular role is not entry level, so I'm thoroughly confused now. I've always loved coding, scripting, automating, building.

So my question is does anyone have any advice for getting a job that I have the freedom to create creative solutions to problems and be left alone to just code.  And also what can help me get noticed without a degree? Something tells me an automated rigged gambling host, or botting several 99s on a 25 year old point and click childrens game is not something companies would even understand, let alone care about lol. I can't really put the stuff I built for previous companies in my portfolio, legal reasons obviously. So I'm at a loss. Do I stay here and miserably work my way up the corporate shit steps? Or do any non dogshit jobs exist? and should I bought a new car or self drive car rental dubai service will be good for me?

Just do your jon and do what are you good in! When I first started to earn good money I thought that I am a god but then slowly I realise that that I need to swap job and I get myself ino rental car service and overall it was great and I earn so much experience that I was able to earn eve more money. What I can say that you just need to wor yourself hard and money will come in!

Edited March 31 by NikolaiFedoro

[GoatCoat 1]

I manage a service desk with my own team of 25 members. I've done this for over 10 years now. I hope I can help.

"So instead of peacefully being able to code and solve problems, I instead find myself trying to explain, what I find to be extremely simple and basic tech concepts, to complete fucking morons who aren't grasping it"  - So on this, if you are staying in the IT field, get used to it. They hired you, a subject matter expert, for a reason. You will need to brief folks down on what is what and how it is operating. Perhaps a perspective change, YOU are the pro, not them. YOU know this, THEY know this, but they're the ones signing the paycheck, right? In the field of IT, you will find yourself networking people, groups of people who are entry level, groups of people who "Think they know", and then the final few, the few that actually know what is going on. This is almost any job industry, actually..  Think of this part as "Networking" yourself out into the industry. As you grow into your career, you will find this to be very true.

 

"I've always loved coding, scripting, automating, building." - In my experience, once something is working, how much better can it get? Most businesses are operating as they were 5, 10, 15 years ago, regardless of the technology advances.... why? Because it works; because it gets them paid. I find that most companies become stagnant after a certain point. Continual improvement is a thing, but once you've perfected something, you will turn from an engineer/developer/creator, into maintenance (The person who ensures this is always functioning, and the person who will be doing constant improvements, and briefing to new people who come into the industry). On this point, think enterprise type level. Walmart, Amazon, any retail store. Seriously, what more can they do? They have thousands of individuals working on the same goal, and at some point, it will have a plateau affect.

 

"So my question is does anyone have any advice for getting a job that I have the freedom to create creative solutions to problems and be left alone to just code.  And also what can help me get noticed without a degree? Something tells me an automated rigged gambling host, or botting several 99s on a 25 year old point and click childrens game is not something companies would even understand, let alone care about lol. I can't really put the stuff I built for previous companies in my portfolio, legal reasons obviously. So I'm at a loss. Do I stay here and miserably work my way up the corporate shit steps? Or do any non dogshit jobs exist?" - Word your resume better. Sure, you code on a game. You don't need to word it like that. Professional experience helps, but things like this can easily be worded into "Personal development of Java, C++, using algorithms that involve machine learning" or some bullshit, for lack of a better term, lol. 

Unless you plan to be an entrepreneur, a standalone, freelancer, etc.; get used to working in a team. Teams will always have people come and go, new people who aren't up to date on technologies, or people who just are there for a paycheck. It really sucks for hiring managers on weeding these types of individuals out; however, if you have a team of people who are WILLING to learn, and WILLING to put in the work, you fill find yourself thriving in a team.

In the end, if you are not happy in this current role, maybe it is not for you. If I were you, i'd start generating crystal clear goals for yourself and where you want to be, because no one can answer that for you, except for yourself. If you are wanting to get out of the field, without the commitment of becoming stuck in another shit job, then you may want to consider doing entry-level roles and job-hopping for a bit to see what peaks your interests, and then go from there. This makes it so you don't have to waste years doing schooling, career building, etc to find out what you want in life. However, i'd plan on staying at each job for at least one year or longer, as hiring managers generally do not like folks who hop from one job to another very quickly, as it shows that you may not take them serious.

 

[Tier3 9]

I really appreciate the responses. This has really been an adjustment for me lol, from a decade in the small/med size business to a massive corporation. Then the whole "team" thing... being in IT for so long, I have no problem talking to end users about simple tech things, it's not their job to know so it's completely acceptable. But when my "teammates" (and manager) who have the same responsibilities as me, are completely tech illiterate and can't grasp simple data concepts as Data Analysts in an escalated support role, it's not acceptable imo lol. (I was not hired for a teaching/mentor role) But slowly things are starting to get better so we'll see how it goes, I think I'm just finally accepting how poorly the department is run and just rolling with it lol. As for the resume, I've tried a few different things, still no luck, but I guess I'll keep at it. I enjoy the work, just not the people lol

Edited March 23 by Tier3