Ask HN: Where should I take my post-undergrad career?

  • First, figure out what you want to do.

    Most people don't do this soon enough, me included. I went to grad school thinking a PhD would be the magic cureall, and put off figuring it out, although I knew 100% I wasn't interested in academia and traditional research didn't interest me. All I did was put off key decisions, which when combined with financial issues set me back 3 years after I left grad school.

    I rediscovered a love for web development almost 15 years after I first experimented with it, and I've been a happy camper ever since.

  • Focus on finishing what's on your docket--perhaps do a few weekend projects (hackathons, or find people to work with--shoot me an email if you need somebody to kick around ideas with). Get that stuff done, and lower the stress in your life.

    Once you've graduated, split the following few months between relaxing, programming around, and finding work.

    Solve the burnout problem before you try anything else--that's what will make your first gig hard, not experience.