My boss can't parse a CSV file

[throw_for_throw]

I recently found a new a job hoping to gain some mentorship, but it turns out my boss can't even parse a CSV file, and I'm working 16 hours to compensate. Really not looking forward to having to find another job. WWYD HN?

[brongondwana]

If they're demanding 16 hours and you don't want to work 16 hours, get the hell out. Otherwise knock off at 5pm "time to go boss, my pet goldfish needs me. See you 9am tomorrow". They obviously did something before you started. Worst case they fire you instead of you quitting - best case they respect you more. Either way, you're doing better work than if you're putting in consistent 16 hour days.

If your boss can't parse CSV files, presumably (s)he has some other skills - find out what they are and learn them.

You're supposed to be working together right? So go teach your boss how to parse CSV files (nicely).

[geoff-codes]

> I recently found a new a job hoping to gain some mentorship

I this is probably the real error. Lacking greater context, what made you expect that your boss at this new position would be able to mentor you?

Is he supposed to know how to parse a CSV? (Manually? Like, with awk or something?) Or is that why he hired a hacker/programmer like you?

I'm not saying your boss isn't incompetent. Maybe he is. But you shouldn't expect that your superior is always going to be more technically competent than you.

[JSeymourATL]

> new a job hoping to gain some mentorship...

Be patient, there may still be something useful you can learn from the Old War Horse.

Sometimes we learn by teaching. Your boss might welcome and appreciate a tutorial on Parsing CSV files. Assuming the work environment is otherwise congenial, your job can serve as a research lab to master your craft. Think Gladwell's 10,000 hour rule> http://www.slate.com/articles/health_and_science/science/201...

[olalonde]

Parsing CSV is notoriously hard: https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=7796268

[NeutronBoy]

Presumably your boss hired you to do the CSV parsing so he can do other stuff. No point having a team of people all with exactly the same skills.

[calcsam]

https://medium.com/@calcsam/outsource-your-job-search-3e9909...

[geoff-codes]

This is awesome. Thanks!

[MalcolmDiggs]

Well, what is your boss good at? Maybe they have some business, management, marketing, or other kind of experience that you would benefit to learn?