[andersource]

I was in a similar position, ended up transitioning to machine learning. Very happy with it, but I also echo the sentimemt expressed in other comments that work is work and ultimately fulfillment is better sought outside of the workplace.

If you still want more challenging technical work (as opposed to e.g. enterpreneurship challenges) maybe you can play with more niche topics (3d / scientific / DSP / whatever) and seek employment there, though that may come with other compromises.

Hope you work it out, and enjoy the journey!

[baremetal]

>but I also echo the sentimemt expressed in other comments that work is work and ultimately fulfillment is better sought outside of the workplace.

I disagree. People live in and conduct business inside of my work product. I get great satisfaction and fulfillment from my work.

I was a software engineer for 13 years. Now i own a construction business.

[andersource]

Congrats, that sounds awesome (not cynically)!

But I think there's a big difference between owning your own business (where you make all the big decisions, you dictate the business values, and are directly responsible for the value you add to the world) and doing CRUD for some company whose values you're not necessarily aligned with.

Also, I'm not saying one can't or absolutely shouldn't seek fulfillment in their daily job, I do too; but only to some degree. In my experience It's far too easy (and common) to overly tie one's identity with the job, forfeiting other important sources of fulfillment.

And of course, different people find meaning in different things; what works for me may not work for OP, what works for you may not work for me.

[baremetal]

>But I think there's a big difference between owning your own business (where you make all the big decisions, you dictate the business values, and are directly responsible for the value you add to the world) and doing CRUD for some company whose values you're not necessarily aligned with.

Indeed there is a big difference.

>Also, I'm not saying one can't or absolutely shouldn't seek fulfillment in their daily job, I do too; but only to some degree. In my experience It's far too easy (and common) to overly tie one's identity with the job, forfeiting other important sources of fulfillment.

I agree, it is an easy trap to fall in, tying your identity to a job. I dont advocate for that. Nor do I practice that. I have a rather varied set of interests and hobbies. And i would like to start a family some day soon, if i can find a suitable wife. I would take great meaning and fulfillment from being a father.

>And of course, different people find meaning in different things; what works for me may not work for OP, what works for you may not work for me.

I wouldn't exactly recommend anyone to go out and do what i did. But rather, I would state that it is possible to find fulfillment in work. Certainly that would be different things to different people. But it is worth seeking out IMO.