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What It’s Like Working As A Software Engineer At FAANG | Reality Check For Software Engineers 2023

1.4K views· 50 likes· 10:55· May 20, 2023

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In this video I want to share another side of what is like working as a software engineer Follow me on IG: @techwithluca Email: techwithluca@gmail.com Tech & Boba Podcast: https://tinyurl.com/4ehpxakc Tech Links: My Grovemade Desk Accessories:  https://grovemade.com/?rfsn=7157617.d0c7633 (https://grovemade.com/?rfsn=7157617.d0c7633) Try Codeacademy here: https://www.pntra.com/t/8-12462-277590-213588 Nurx Skincare: https://nurx.pxf.io/c/3484884/1155249/13261 Try 1Password Password Manager for Free: https://www.tkqlhce.com/click-100370637-14464697 Get 3-months free with ExpressVPN: https://expressvpn.com/withsandra Amazon link - Tech Essentials: https://tinyurl.com/bdhywpj4 tags: software engineer,software engineering,software developer,programming,computer science,software development,software engineer day in life,software developer career,learn to code,day in the life of a software engineer,learning to code,how to code,why not to be a software engineer,why you should not be a software engineer,reasons not to become a software engineer,software development advice,reality of software engineer,What is like working at faang Disclaimer: This video is not officially endorsed by the employer. The views, opinions, and experiences expressed herein solely belong to the subject and do not represent those of the employer.

About This Video

In this video I’m giving a reality check on what it’s actually like working as a software engineer in big tech/FAANG in 2023. I’ve been in the industry for about five years now, and I started during what felt like the “golden age” of tech—great perks, high optimism, and the vibe that these companies really had your back. Even during early pandemic days, it was like “work from home, here’s money for your setup, we’ll get through this together.” But fast forward to 2023, and the energy is completely different: layoffs, inflation, recession talk, perks getting cut, and a hard push back to the office. I also talk about the stress people don’t see. Even if you survive layoffs, you still deal with that survivor guilt and the constant feeling that it can happen again—sometimes randomly. On a lot of teams, projects never stop, and if you’re trying to get promoted, you’re expected to perform at the next level for a long time before anyone officially recognizes it. Add on-call, re-orgs, project cuts, and the pressure to show “impact,” and it can get draining fast. Finally, I share what I’ve learned: continuous learning is non-negotiable, switching tech stacks can be brutal (especially if you’re the only person with that specialty), and pacing yourself is key. Big tech can be exciting and rewarding, but it’s not always bright—and you need to protect your energy and be intentional about what you’re optimizing for.

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