this post was submitted on 23 Sep 2023
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In 2014 I realized I was wasting my life working as a software engineer at T-Mobile HQ. Their company was terrible when it came to basic hygiene. People snotting into the sinks, the bathroom always a huge toxic mess, people always sick, and getting other people sick. I shared a cubicle with some random person. I'd always just take my laptop to one of the small meeting rooms that was used for 1-on-1 meetings. I was clearly on a project that no one could give a fuck about. I spent that time on #[email protected] and started working with the engine.
One random Tuesday, I was in the small meeting room and there was a row of 3 or 4 of them. I was on the far corner and two people in the one next to mine were talking loudly. About me, I heard my name pop up a few times and it turned out to be my boss having a 1:1 with her boss about my lack of performance. They were preparing to fire me. It was the evening so I ducked out the rest of the day and prepared to get fired. For some reason, I decided I wanted to leave on my terms and I'd quit. I was a contractor so it wasn't like I was going to get a severance. I quit with no prospects, I did have a few interviews for Unreal Engine jobs a week ago and a few months ago but hadn't heard back so I assumed they moved on. So I quit to become a game developer on that Wednesday but those 2 interviews both got back to me that Thursday. By Friday I was trying to figure out between two studios to join. I went with the Canadian one and realized I had to start a business to support the relationship.
So I went from a cushy software engineer job where I didn't have to do anything to start up an international business contractor working in one of the most volatile industries. Back at T-Mobile as I stepped into the elevator they said "We want people who want to work here." and it hit me. I just gave up one of the best-paying jobs I'd have in order to do something I actually want to do.
Overall I had a lot of "I really should not be doing this" moments in that whole process but usually followed by "But if I fucking pull this off I'll be amazing." I've been in the games industry for 10 years now. My business is now quietly still standing as I moved to an employee job recently on a project I am really passionate about.
That was really nice to read. Congratulations!
Thank you, I appreciate it.
So you made it and it was the right decision!
Yeah, although some days I wonder where I'd be if I had chased the money.
You'd probably be chasing more of it.
I'm still somewhat chasing it. Just also balancing that with the things I want to work on. Like if I like a game, sometimes I take less money to work on it. Which is probably a bad thing since I have a family to support with my work.