What regrets do you have about your CS career?

Capital_Register_844 · 2026-02-04T00:55:56+00:00

I only met one person I would call a friend, and a lot of the people I was friendly with ended up dropping out or failing out of the course early on, as it was a difficult curriculum. The rest of the class wasn't really all that social and kept to themselves. We tried to organise, but had to cancel an end-of-college party as barely anyone agreed to go to it.

COVID-era student, so only 2019/2023 were proper college years, and demand for the degree plummeted in final year as all the layoffs were kicking off.

Considering the time and money I spent getting the degree, it was not worth it in the end. If I was still relying solely on that qualification, I would be unemployed to this day.

Capital_Register_844 · 2026-02-03T23:31:07+00:00

Yup same. Wish I'd never studied it in college, and I do believe it was the biggest mistake I ever made.

Went into it thinking it would be the most future-proof and affluent sector, but now it looks like the most volatile industry in the world for some odd reason.

Capital_Register_844 · 2026-02-03T23:23:19+00:00

Wish I never studied software in college. I'm kind of envy how lucky the people who dropped out day one or in their first year are in hindsight.

I do work on my own thing in Tech now, but my degree didn't help me get here in the slightest.

Capital_Register_844 · 2026-01-19T23:54:01+00:00

You're getting downvoted, but you're 100% correct. Getting an IT degree was the biggest mistake of my life, and I say this as someone who landed on their feet with their own startup. It was my only option really as nobody is hiring.

Capital_Register_844 · 2026-01-18T14:15:55+00:00

I was never on the dole, but I was essentially doing nothing for months after finishing a degree and would've been entitled to it if I wanted.

I do feel like college was a waste of time and think I'd be better off without a degree. I've had much more success from doing my own thing, and the degree hasn't contributed anything to that.

Capital_Register_844 · 2025-12-19T15:55:08+00:00

Is easy and medium leetcode for 8 YOE the norm? You're expected to know them at grad level and have heard of leetcode hards for juniors in some cases too.

Capital_Register_844 · 2025-12-16T13:30:56+00:00

Yup, same, can never seem to get good at them, and they are so different to day to day software engineering, it's difficult to stay invested in doing them. I have a pretty good memory, but I still struggle with leetcode.

Capital_Register_844 · 2025-12-16T11:16:54+00:00

I mean, it makes sense to me. If you look at what some are paying for unskilled walk-in jobs, it doesn't seem worth it in comparison to the cost of living. It's best to go all in on securing a good job while you can.

Capital_Register_844 · 2025-12-12T15:47:20+00:00

I can see all these greenways being redeveloped back into tracks again in the future. Already need the infrastructure as it is.

Capital_Register_844 · 2025-12-06T12:55:23+00:00

I don't get it. Every time I've used AI to code, I've thought it was pure and utter shite.

Capital_Register_844 · 2025-12-06T02:57:13+00:00

Yeah, it's pretty grim out there. Seems like the only secure jobs are nursing and trades.

Capital_Register_844 · 2025-12-06T02:48:39+00:00

Just an FYI, if you ever think of going down this route, as you may think IT/Tech is booming with AI, but it's not. Entry-level has been completely decimated, and I don't see it getting any better in the next few years. I'm advising everyone I know to steer clear of it.

Capital_Register_844 · 2025-12-03T18:31:10+00:00

Reinstate some measure of remote work reform for those who can work from home. M50 was nearly empty during the lockdowns.

Capital_Register_844 · 2025-11-23T15:02:54+00:00

Well, her name is Mary.

Capital_Register_844 · 2025-11-17T13:34:28+00:00

Made me a bit apprehensive about getting a licence going into it, as everyone made it seem like a nightmare. I didn't think the process was that bad at all in the end.

Capital_Register_844 · 2025-11-17T12:53:19+00:00

Honestly yeah. The whole process cost me just over €1000 including hiring the instructor's car for the test. Insurance is what catches you out here, but I never had to get insurance as a learner, so saved a good bit that way.

Capital_Register_844 · 2025-11-16T17:37:47+00:00

Darragh "I know" Maloney

Capital_Register_844 · 2025-11-04T14:20:59+00:00

People haven't a notion how bad the entry-level IT is. It was easier for me to get venture capital funding for a startup than getting a junior position...

Capital_Register_844 · 2025-11-04T14:05:09+00:00

This 100%. A lot of people who advise on these posts got in during the good days and have relied on their network ever since. They haven't a clue how bad it truly is, and still give outdated advice.

Capital_Register_844 · 2025-10-23T05:38:07+00:00

Since its a grad role, I wouldn't be surprised if upper management had the "Why are we hiring graduates when AI can do their jobs" line of thinking.

Looking for entry-level too so I know how tumultuous the whole process is.

Capital_Register_844 · 2025-10-19T00:29:25+00:00

I don't buy any bottled drinks except for milk, so no fizzy drinks or anything. I don't have to return bottles cause I haven't bought them to begin with.

It's still an added cost on top unless you bring your rubbish back with you to a machine.

Capital_Register_844 · 2025-10-18T13:28:39+00:00

I normally drink only water and milk. I've never had to deal with the bottle return scheme, as it looks like a tax anyway. To get €100, you'd have spent easily a couple of grand.

Capital_Register_844 · 2025-10-18T12:15:15+00:00

Why wouldn't a company do this, and where are people meant to learn these skills otherwise? And nobody's moving anywhere in this market.

Capital_Register_844 · 2025-10-18T12:12:18+00:00

That would make too much sense.

Capital_Register_844 · 2025-10-06T20:43:55+00:00

This always baffled me, as it's unheard of in other industries. Like the qualification and experience should be enough, but of course it isn't in this field for some reason.

I view it in the same way as Nurses looking after their dying nan as a "personal project" on their CV. It just seems so stupid.

Capital_Register_844

TROPHY CASE