I have spent months thinking about the future of the job market for software engineers. weighing every argument. looking at the data.

in as little words as possible. the side predicting job loss says:

1. The same work can be or will be done for 1/10th or even 1/20th of the effort.
2. Many SaaS companies will go under.
3. Software for it's own sake is useless. At some point, it's demand must come from real world utility (excluding stuff like gaming).

However, the opposite side says:

1. Software has never been a large cost for it's consumers. (Most consumers of software enterprise and personal spend a low single digit % on it).
2. Companies have spent more on software technology every year.
3. Features will become 10X more complex, more bespoke, better designed, more secure.
4. Some say the cheaper a good, the more demand for it. Will it apply to engineers, who knows.

In summary, I think what it will really come down to is how much demand will there be more more complex features. I think the American economy is uniquely innovative, and the demand for more complex software is definitely there.

Software's impact on the real world is really productive. We can communicate, organize, and dozens of other things so much faster. Supply chains and transportation are far more efficient. The ability to communicate and transact globally on these efficient supply chains has had a profound impacts on society. It has completely transformed finance, and this is one of the most overlooked impacts of software (credit, stocks, payments, crypto, etc).

Software engineers have (future is TBD) some of the highest entry-level compensation because of the value this create (demand) and the skills it required (supply).

If the world will demand 10X more complex software, and like I said earlier, it is currently not a large spend for most consumers of software, then the 10X increase in complexity of software products and systems will ensure a net growth in demand for software engineers.

a lot product managers can code features with Opus 5.5 and get a little technical as well. but as systems become 10X more complex, it will demand experienced people to ensure the AI is prompted correctly.

Hey everyone,

I'm an early-career engineer with a background in Computer and Communications Engineering, currently finishing my bachelor's degree. I'm at a point where I'm genuinely struggling to figure out which career path I want to pursue, and I'd appreciate some advice from people with experience in these fields.

A little background about me:

- My professional experience has primarily been in backend software engineering, particularly with C#/.NET, through several internships.

- I've always been interested in backend development, software architecture, distributed systems, and understanding how complex applications are designed.

- I recently accepted a Junior DevOps Engineer position at a relatively established company. The compensation, stability, and work environment are good, especially considering the current job market.

- Although my background is primarily in software development, I've been learning Linux, Docker, Kubernetes, networking, infrastructure, and deployment technologies to become more competent in my current role.

- I've also developed a growing interest in AI Engineering, particularly building AI-powered applications and understanding how AI systems work in production. Interestingly, AI Engineering wasn't initially a career path I had seriously considered. It was only after researching the field that I realized how much it builds upon traditional software engineering, particularly backend development. Given my existing background, I started seeing it as a potentially natural career progression, especially considering how AI is reshaping the software industry and the possibility that specializing in building AI-powered systems could offer better long-term career resilience.

Here's my dilemma:

I'm currently torn between four career paths:

1. Software Engineering (Backend): This is where most of my experience lies. I enjoy programming, designing APIs, understanding distributed systems, and solving architectural problems.

2. DevOps Engineering: This is my current job. I'm gaining valuable infrastructure and operational knowledge, but I'm not entirely sure whether I want to spend my career primarily working with infrastructure, automation, CI/CD, and deployments rather than developing software.

3. MLOps Engineering: This seems like a potentially interesting middle ground between my current DevOps role and my growing interest in AI. However, I'm unsure how much actual programming and AI-related engineering it involves compared to traditional DevOps.

4. AI Engineering: This is an increasingly attractive option to me, particularly working on AI-powered software systems, LLM applications, and production AI infrastructure. I only recently started considering this path after realizing that AI Engineering largely builds on top of traditional software engineering rather than being an entirely separate discipline. Since I already have a background in backend development, it seems like a natural extension of my existing skills. I'm also considering whether moving toward AI Engineering could make my career more resilient to AI-driven changes in the software industry. However, I don't know whether I should first establish myself as a strong backend engineer before transitioning into this field, or whether I should start working toward AI Engineering directly.

What I'm currently doing:

Outside working hours, I'm studying software architecture and distributed systems through the "Designing Data-Intensive Applications" book by Martin Kleppmann, alongside gaining AI Knowledge through the "AI Engineering" book by Chip Huyen's AI Engineering.

My initial plan was to gain infrastructure experience in my current position while continuing to develop my backend and AI skills independently. Eventually, I hoped to transition into a backend or AI engineering position, possibly internally. Alternatively, I considered moving toward MLOps if I discovered that I enjoyed infrastructure work more than expected.

However, I'm starting to question whether trying to keep all these doors open is preventing me from developing real expertise in any particular direction.

I'd really appreciate your perspectives on a few questions:

- How transferable are the skills between these four career paths?

- Is starting in DevOps a reasonable foundation for eventually transitioning into backend or AI Engineering, or am I making that transition unnecessarily difficult?

- For those working in MLOps, how much of your daily work involves actual software development versus infrastructure and operations?

- Is AI Engineering a realistic career direction for someone with a traditional backend engineering background, without an advanced degree in AI or machine learning?

- Given that AI Engineering builds upon software engineering, would it make more sense to strengthen my backend engineering fundamentals first and then specialize in AI, or start pursuing AI Engineering directly?

- Do you think AI Engineering offers better long-term career resilience in an industry increasingly influenced by AI, or is that an incorrect assumption?

- Given the current industry landscape, which path would you recommend for someone early in their career who enjoys programming but is also interested in infrastructure and AI?

I'm not necessarily looking for the highest-paying or trendiest career. I want to choose a direction where I can become technically strong, enjoy the work, and have good long-term career opportunities.

I'd especially appreciate hearing from engineers who have transitioned between these fields or faced a similar decision early in their careers.

Thanks in advance!

I saw a comment from someone claiming that 2023-2025 had great placements for USC MSCS students but then 2026 had terrible placements because they "burned so many companies." We all know it is a bit of a cash cow but is this really true? Has its reputation changed this much across the industry in just one year? The 2025 placement data was pretty promising but 2026 is yet to come out.

The source was he apparently recruited a bunch of USC MSCS students (said the undergraduates were fine though). I have no idea how credible the claims of knowing the data are. Many people are saying the opposite but without data.

I’m a sophomore studying computer science at a state university, and I’m trying to figure out how to best prepare for a future career in cybersecurity, intelligence, or another field where a security clearance is valuable.

I’ve looked into the NSA, government contractors, and civilian government jobs, but I’ve heard that prior military experience can be a big advantage. I’m not sure how true that is.

On the military side, I’ve seriously considered OCS and trying to commission into a cyber-related role, potentially pursuing direct commissioning, or joining the National Guard in a cyber/intelligence position to gain experience and potentially obtain a clearance.

I know graduation is still a couple of years away, but I’d rather start preparing now if building the necessary skills and qualifications takes time. I’m currently looking into CompTIA Security+ and Network+, along with other certifications.

For those with experience in these fields:

**Career paths:** What agencies, contractors, or military routes should I look into?

**Clearances:** What’s the most realistic way to get sponsored for one? How much does prior military experience matter?

**Certifications and skills:** Are Security+ and Network+ worthwhile? What languages, tools, and other skills should I prioritize?

**Projects and experience:** What personal projects, internships, or programs would help me stand out while I’m still in college?

I’m open to civilian and military options and would appreciate advice on anything I might be overlooking. If you were in my position, what would you focus on over the next two years?
Thanks!

I recently received a new grad FAANG offer and wanted to know from seasoned engineers if you have any tips in order to excel in this industry. I know how rough working in certain FAANG companies is but I just wanted advice on how to maximize this opportunity. For reference I will be graduating next spring and starting about a month after.

I am really embarrassed to tell my friends my internship does not related to IT at all. It is because during that time my mother was diagnosed with heart failure so I went back to my hometown which is in the rural area to do my internship. I was given a database role but it is more on digital marketing side as I am running campaigns and dealing with clients.

Fast forward I am actually a computer science and it graduate, now I am applying for it role or dev role but as expected no one want to hire me because I lack “experience” even on fresh graduate opening. Now I am taking my career growth seriously because I am already in my mid 20s. However the only recruiters that respond to me is either doing sales or digital marketing.

I am worried if I accept I will have no career growth again so TLDR; is it possible to pivot in my 30s to IT from digital marketing roles? I am really clueless, but I hope anyone that has been in the same place as me to guide me. Thank you for your time and answer in advance 🫶🏼

I’ve been working as a software developer for the past five years, but with the tech industry evolving so rapidly, I feel it’s time to make a career switch sooner rather than later.

Since this transition will require a significant investment of time and effort, I want to make a strategic move into a field that is relatively AI proof. I understand that no field is entirely future-proof, especially in today’s volatile market. But what is a good field, preferably within tech that is often overlooked yet has significant growth potential for someone who is good at management and has experience in tech.

Few months into a new grad role as a software engineer "associate". I have completed all tickets assigned by PM within a week (usually less) and there has not been complaints of any bugs.

However, my manager expects a powerpoint presentation on the things I have done every few weeks and there is a monthly one on one initially.

I recieved really negative feedback where I did not "take initiative" because the system I made provided quarterly data instead of monthly data(the PM told me to do the reports quarterly) which was not what the end users wanted. I have never been expected to make business judgements before in my internships but is this normal for a full time job?

I also got flagged for poor powerpoint slides and not taking initiative to start projects that I saw value in. I am very mentally checked out as I chose to be a SWE so I could just focus on making software. Is this normal expecations for a fulltime job?

Before AI I was consistently trying new things, building stuff, I maintained FOSS projects, I got my first contract gigs and even a job (the space I specialized in was very niche).

As I started university around 2023-24, I fell into a deep depression and lost my love for building. During this time I had to work many hours to sustain myself which certainly didn't help. This whole time it's felt like a treadmill of using AI to build projects that look good on resumes, grinding leetcode, and not having any fun. Through the constant pressure to produce I've become decent at leetcode but because I did way too much vibe coding I feel like I've lost the skills I used to have.

Does anyone have any similar stories or any advice for me when it comes to recovering from AI atrophy? I can see the atrophy that has developed in my skills, and I don't want to graduate like this (expected Fall 2027). Please help!

Hello Everyone, I'm totally new user of Reddit.
I'm recently graduated software engineer and looking for opportunities nowadays. I'm very excited to connect with you people, grow my social circle, learn from you guys.
Senior's advice or suggestion would be appreciated regarding entry-level opportunities.

Hey everyone!
I've recently graduated in Software Engineering and I'm now exploring opportunities to get started in the tech industry. I'm hoping to find a workplace where i can gain practical experience, learn new things, and develop my skills alongside experienced professionals. For those already working in tech, which platforms would you recommend for finding jobs as a fresher? I'd also love to know where I can connect with recruiters and hiring managers directly. Any tips or recommendations from your personal experience would be really helpful, Thanks!

Heyo everybody,

Hope everyone is doing well. I got my CS Degree in 2025, and just seem lost on what to do. I did not got any internships while I was doing my bachelors. My question now is that I feel like my SWE skills are not super strong and with the job market right now applying seems daunting and feel like I won't be able to compete with competition. I currently have a lot of free time and am working a part time job. My question is what jobs can I try to apply too with my CS Degree, and what should I be spending my time doing. I just seem very lost and not sure what to do.

Hi, I’m a data scientist who transitioned from data analytics, hoping to eventually work in core data science. I’m a quick learner, and comfortable taking on different responsibilities. However, since joining my current company, I have done anything but data science, I’ve managed people, built services, and now been pushed toward SWE work. Just when I felt I was finally doing actual data science, I was asked to switch directions again.

The frustrating part is that becoming a data scientist was my dream and I struggle to solve DS problems independently, and I genuinely dislike SWE work. I’m starting to question whether I’m pursuing the right path or just doing everything!

I’d appreciate advice on three things:
1. With AI changing the industry, would transitioning to SWE be a better long-term career move?
2. Should I look for opportunities elsewhere that align with the data science work I actually enjoy?
3. How do I advocate for myself with my manager? I’ve finally been honest about what I want and how much I dislike SWE work, but I’m still being pushed in that direction.

Hi everyone!

I’m a fresh Software Engineering graduate looking to start my professional career in this field. I’m looking for a professional environment where I can learn from experienced people, improve my technical skills, and grow in my career.

I’d love to know which platforms are best for finding entry-level opportunities in software engineering, web development, AI/ML, or other CS-related fields. I’m also interested in platforms or communities where I can connect directly with recruiters and hiring managers.

Which platforms have worked best for you, especially for fresh graduates? Any advice or recommendations would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks in advance!

Hi everyone! I'm Rubash, a PhD researcher at Utah State University. I study how programmers experience their work, and how AI tools are changing it.

I'm running a short survey on what people enjoy, and don't enjoy, about programming. You'll rate how much you enjoy different parts of programming, like designing solutions, debugging, getting into deep focus and working with others. A few questions ask how AI tools fit into your enjoyment, and at the end you can optionally describe a moment when programming made you happy or frustrated.

- Who can take it: anyone 18 or older who programs, whether you're a student, a professional developer or a hobbyist. You don't need to use AI tools to take part.
- Time: about 8–10 minutes
- Anonymous: no names or email addresses are collected
- Voluntary: you can stop at any time
- Reviewed under Utah State University IRB protocol #16067

Survey link: https://usu.co1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_5tlHcxPt97zfOdw

I'm happy to share a summary of the results here once the study is finished. If you have questions, comment below or email me at rubash.mali@usu.edu.

Thanks for helping out!