I am looking for some advice from anybody on these forums that already has one of these jobs. If that's not you or someone you could refer me to then this is probably a waste of your time.

Recently I've been having some second thoughts about my career path. I'm currently in my third year majoring in software engineering at one of the better engineering schools in California. I enjoy what I do, but I don't like who I feel like it's making me become. It's taking up tons of my free time, and I don't really fit in with the types of people that are in my major. I'm more outgoing, thrill-seeking, party-loving than them, and we don't really share the same sense of humor. Also, as much as I enjoy coding, there are other things that I enjoy a lot more. Is it hard to balance this career with other interests (working on my car, snowboarding, MMA, studying pick up, etc.)? Is it hard to relate to and maintain relationships with lots of friends outside of work while still excelling in my career? Are there certain job positions I should look for that would help me get the best of both worlds (doing what I love/making a great salary, and being the social, thrill-seeking person I want to be)? Are there any similar, computer-related career paths I should look into that might be better for me?

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I never fail. I succeed at finding what doesn't work.

Hi mate.....
I'm an undergrad in the UK studying electronic engineering.....We have a pretty big software project this year, which I'm NOT particularly keen on...
Are you making things that you find interesting? I've found that when I make some cool hardware (musical instruments or something), it's much easier to get into! I'm interested in music and going to take my electronics down a music path....Maybe you could see if it's possible to do software for something you enjoy? (ie. cars?)

Resonates with me as I'm pretty much into snowboarding, cars and other 'cool' stuff, whereas most people on my course just want to work ALL the time!

I am an independant database and web programmer.

Yes it is harder to maintain good social circle since your work friends are not likely to be as cool...that's one disadvantage -- one part of your social circle (work buddies) are lower on the scale in general.

Are there certain job positions for the best of both worlds --- not really except a lower paying customer service thing where you go to clients onsite or as a computer instructor where you get to interact with people.

I wanted to change my career recently into somethig that triggers more DHV spikes (like commercial pilot) but aything where the job is a DHV --- is hard work and it requires a lot of resources to dump what you have done so far to do something else.

Instead I focus more ow on things like dressing up my programming job for A2...things like mentioning my travel to fun places as part of my job or being a team lead for projects, ect. This is easier than a career change.

In general, disadvantages of being a SW type:

1) You might be stereotyped as a computer weenie.
2) Your work buddies and women at work may be lower on the social value scale in general (no using work girls as targets, HB pivots, social proof, ect). You may not merge into work buddy's cool social networks since they are likely to be home alone playing video games on Saturday, ect
3) The work itself can be so mentally demanding that it takes away energy/time from social activities...I find even when I am at parties that I find myself contemplating bugs, work-arounds, SW enhancements, ect

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