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Side of Being a Software Engineer

How a Software Engineer's lifestyle actually is?

Software engineering is often glamorized as a dream career—high salaries, fancy offices, free snacks, and the prestige of working in tech. But behind the shiny facade, there’s a darker reality that many engineers in India face daily.

If you’re considering a career in software engineering or are already in the field, here’s the unfiltered truth about the struggles that come with the job.

1. The Never-Ending Grind: Long Hours & Burnout

The "9-to-5" job is a myth in the Indian IT industry. Many engineers work 10-12 hours a day, sometimes even more during project deadlines. Companies often normalize overtime, calling it "dedication."

Crunch time culture: Last-minute deployments, urgent bug fixes, and unrealistic deadlines lead to sleepless nights.

Burnout is real: Constant stress leads to mental exhaustion, anxiety, and even physical health issues.

No work-life balance: Weekends are often spent debugging code or attending meetings.

2. Job Instability & Layoffs

The tech industry is unpredictable. One day you’re a valued employee, the next day you could be part of "cost-cutting" measures.

Mass layoffs: Big tech companies fire thousands overnight (remember Google, Amazon, and Indian IT giants laying off employees?).

Bench periods: If you’re not assigned to a project, you’re on the "bench," risking termination.

Ageism: After 35-40, many engineers struggle to find jobs as companies prefer younger, cheaper talent.

3. Low Salaries (For Most Engineers)

While FAANG companies and startups pay well, the average Indian software engineer earns between ₹4-10 LPA—far less than what’s shown in viral "tech salary" posts.

Huge pay disparity: Freshers in service-based companies (TCS, Infosys, Wipro) often start at ₹3-4 LPA, while product-based engineers earn ₹15-30 LPA+.

Stagnant growth: Many engineers stay stuck in the same salary bracket for years due to lack of promotions.

4. Toxic Work Environments

Not all workplaces are Google-like campuses with free food and fun activities. Many Indian IT companies have:

Micromanagement: Bosses breathing down your neck, tracking every minute of your work.

Office politics: Favoritism, unnecessary hierarchy, and toxic colleagues make work miserable.

No recognition: Hard work often goes unnoticed unless you’re in the "good books" of managers.

5. The Pressure to Constantly Upskill

Technology changes fast, and engineers are expected to keep up—or get left behind.

Forced upskilling: Learning new frameworks, languages, and tools just to stay relevant.

Interview grind: Switching jobs means months of LeetCode grinding, system design prep, and mock interviews.

Imposter syndrome: Feeling like you’re never good enough compared to peers.

6. Health Problems: Sitting 10+ Hours a Day

A. Coding for hours without movement leads to serious health issues:

B. Chronic back pain & spine problems from bad posture.

C. Eye strain & migraines due to endless screen time.

D. Weight gain & heart issues from a sedentary lifestyle.

7. The Onsite Dream (That Rarely Happens)

Many engineers join IT companies hoping for "onsite opportunities" (US/UK projects). But:

Only a few get selected (usually through referrals or luck).

Exploitation: Some companies promise onsite but delay it for years.

Visa struggles: Even if you go, H1B visa issues can send you back abruptly.

8. The Myth of Job Satisfaction

Not every engineer is passionate about coding. Many join for money and stability, leading to:

Monotonous work: Fixing bugs, maintaining legacy systems, or working on boring CRUD apps.

No creativity: Following client requirements with no room for innovation.

Regret & career switches: Many engineers quit after a few years for MBA, government jobs, or startups.

*Is There a Way Out?

Dark Side of Being a Software Engineer

Yes! While the dark side is real, you can navigate it by:

✅ Switching to product-based companies (better pay & work).

✅ Freelancing/remote work (escape the office grind).

✅ Building skills for high-demand roles (AI, DevOps, Cybersecurity).

✅ Prioritizing health (exercise, ergonomic setups, screen breaks).

Final Thoughts

Software engineering in India isn’t all rainbows and unicorns. It’s a high-stress, unstable, and demanding field—but with the right strategy, you can survive (and even thrive).

If you’re in tech, what’s your biggest struggle? Drop a comment below!

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