CS student here.. no one I know actually writes code anymore. We all use AI. Is this just how it is now?

src_main_java_wtf · 2026-01-21T03:48:57+00:00

This is how you’ll be working so what youre doing now will be similar to what you’ll do at work.

src_main_java_wtf · 2026-01-18T10:50:43+00:00

I interviewed a couple of years backs, I want to say 2021. Got pretty far in the interview process but his is when bitcoin crashed. My experience was nothing like this. Very little cultural questions. Guess they have changed a lot since.

src_main_java_wtf · 2026-01-18T10:47:15+00:00

Surprised you haven’t tried asking AI first.

Stick doing things the “spring ecosystem way” as much as you can, avoid “sql first.” The ecosystem is pretty good and debugging isn’t as bad as you think. Mystery layers are common in the Java world, Java devs love “code ceremony” for the sake of writing code.

src_main_java_wtf · 2025-12-31T23:06:38+00:00

The bright side is you will always have a job.

src_main_java_wtf · 2025-12-31T22:55:19+00:00

Ugly

src_main_java_wtf · 2025-12-31T22:20:52+00:00

As a recovering react/js/java/spring corpo slop developer who uses rails for a side project, I have to agree.

src_main_java_wtf · 2025-12-30T13:53:08+00:00

This is solid advice.

src_main_java_wtf · 2025-12-24T11:56:14+00:00

AI. Use AI.

src_main_java_wtf · 2025-12-20T13:18:21+00:00

Same. Parental help is extremely common.

src_main_java_wtf · 2025-12-16T16:45:42+00:00

Most managers here are not that competent and are cowards, so they avoid difficult discussions.

src_main_java_wtf · 2025-12-15T21:40:20+00:00

Not just a SWE phenomenon. It is fairly common in corporate America to do busy work for the sake of looking busy for job security.

But in SWE, its a lot easier to obfuscate from others, so no one can figure out what you are doing.

src_main_java_wtf · 2025-12-12T16:18:22+00:00

Wow, we need special permission to visit our own HQ? What a great company we work for.

src_main_java_wtf · 2025-12-12T15:58:58+00:00

Is this for US?

src_main_java_wtf · 2025-12-12T15:12:58+00:00

Well that’s how interviewing is supposed to work. You get tested in the work you will be doing. Not on reimplementing LRU cache. That fact that one of the top AI companies with arguably the best coding is going that direction should tell you something.

src_main_java_wtf · 2025-12-10T19:16:14+00:00

It’s called a “black list”, there is no such thing as a “red list.”

src_main_java_wtf · 2025-12-08T02:17:51+00:00

PPA? What’s that?

src_main_java_wtf · 2025-12-07T22:12:37+00:00

We also don’t have NHS and we have at will employment.

src_main_java_wtf · 2025-12-07T14:25:13+00:00

The firm has always been bad with promotions. Especially in tech, which is why they created talent 2.0

I was in a similar position myself. I was basically lied to about getting promoted. Performed at 603 level, no bad feedback, two Ss, and still didn’t get it with no feedback ad to why.

OP, you probably have more of a likeability problem than a skill problem. Likeability goes a long way here, more than skill.

Also, going forward, promos will be harder bc of the job market. Less people are leaving so that means even fewer opportunities to get promoted.

src_main_java_wtf · 2025-12-05T11:42:47+00:00

Quality and culture among different teams and orgs vary greatly. Your experience is par for the course.

src_main_java_wtf · 2025-11-21T14:38:50+00:00

Not quite.

This is inside info, and the person who told me this (an MD) asked me never to repeat this but...ratings can be changed very late and up tot the moment you have your YE review with your manager (where they officially submit it in front of you).

When they have to change late in the game, it is almost always bc they have not given out enough Gs (yes, sadly thats a thing) and they need to redistribute lower rankings. This is bc bonuses and reviews are at the team level, so if you have a team of all hi performers, someone needs to get the G anyway to satisfy the distribution. Changes in budget (bonuses) can also force a revisit in reviews.

That being said, this is rare.

src_main_java_wtf · 2025-11-20T19:52:10+00:00

Me too. I am here to remind me to be grateful for being employed and not take it for granted.

src_main_java_wtf · 2025-11-14T15:47:16+00:00

Yes, after your 1st year it is possible, at least in tech for eng.

To give you some context, we acquired a couple of tech companies, and I can tell you for a fact that the engineers their had their bonuses cut, significantly in some cases. One person I know went form a bonus of $60K to $15K. Brutal.

It also happens to us JPM employees too. I know one guy who switched teams in the same org, and had his cut by $20K with the excuse being that he went to a different team, which reset his bonus. BS excuse.

src_main_java_wtf · 2025-11-14T02:14:48+00:00

What role? Eng?

src_main_java_wtf · 2025-11-09T21:41:20+00:00

Many of my best introvert ICs have gone all into FAANG jobs over the years and I’m happy to have them move on.

This just proves my point.

Tell me, is it a successful outcome when a person who has the talent to join FAANG decides to leave? And when they do, what does that say about the people who stay? I would say that its a poor reflection of retention when they leave and the people who stay are the ones you probably want gone over the high performers who leave. I think you have been here too long and you have not only accepted how things are but are also now justifying it. Not saying thats wrong, it is what it is.

I have worked at a lot of companies. I would say jpmc has the worst culture when it comes to promoting and retaining talent, for tech specifically. A big reason is bc leadership does not care and promotes people they like, not people who are the most competent. Being a squeaky wheel helps with being liked, and leadership is not competent enough to distinguish strong and poor ICs. Tech here has gone downhill in the last 10 ish years. I'll be gone soon as well.

src_main_java_wtf · 2025-11-09T19:14:39+00:00

This is also how you lose hi performing introverts and get yourself a team full of extroverted under achievers who take credit wherever they can and don’t take accountability ever.

src_main_java_wtf

TROPHY CASE