r/cscareerquestions ·Tuesday, December 30, 2025

4 Updates
A software engineering manager at a FAANG company with two years of management experience is considering moving back to an individual contributor (IC) role. They currently split time between coding and meetings, enjoy managing their team, but find their current work on UX Design Systems unexciting. Facing limited promotion prospects and internal competition for scope, they're interested in joining an exploratory AI team working on concept product features. This move would require giving up their manager position but offers more interesting and innovative work in AI application and production features.

Community Highlights

No comments were provided in the input, so there are no discussion highlights to summarize from the Reddit thread.

r/cscareerquestions
0 012/29/2025

Navigating Career Paths: MLSys Role vs. Traditional SWE for First Job

What do you guys think about taking an MLSys role as my first job?

A recent graduate received a $260k+ offer for an ML Kernel engineering role at a FAANG AI lab in a high-cost area. While excited about the role, they are concerned it might be too niche for long-term career flexibility and high earning potential. They also have interests in research or academia and prefer to eventually relocate to NYC. The individual is considering other interviews with major tech companies for standard software engineering roles but is fatigued by the recruitment process.

Community Highlights

Comments generally advise accepting the MLSys role due to its high salary and prestige at a FAANG lab, noting it provides valuable specialized experience that can open doors to both industry and research paths. Many highlight that early career specialization in AI/ML is advantageous, and the role's brand name can facilitate future moves to NYC or other opportunities. Some caution about the high cost of living but emphasize the offer's strong compensation as a mitigating factor.

r/cscareerquestions
0 012/29/2025

New Grads' Startup Experiences: Regrets and Rewards

New grads that worked/work at a startup, do you regret it?

A new graduate expresses anxiety about joining a startup, fearing burnout and dissatisfaction. The post seeks advice from others who have taken similar paths, highlighting common concerns about work-life balance, job security, and career growth in startup environments. It reflects the uncertainty many face when choosing between established companies and high-risk, high-reward startup roles early in their careers.

Community Highlights

Comments reveal mixed experiences: some regret chaotic workloads and instability, while others value rapid skill development and impactful work. Key insights include the importance of evaluating company culture, understanding equity vs. salary trade-offs, and recognizing that startup success often depends on individual risk tolerance and career goals. Several users emphasize that early-career startups can accelerate learning but require resilience.

r/cscareerquestions
0 012/29/2025

College Senior Struggles with LeetCode Mediums, Fears Career Prospects

I'm a senior in college and I literally cannot do like 60% of LC mediums. Should I expect a life of manual labor going forward?

A college senior expresses deep frustration and anxiety about their inability to solve many LeetCode medium problems, despite having a current tech job. They feel humiliated and worry that being average in technical interview preparation might doom them to a life of manual labor or unemployment. The post reflects common insecurities among CS students facing competitive job markets and high technical interview expectations.

Community Highlights

Comments generally offer reassurance and practical advice. Many note that LeetCode proficiency doesn't equate to job performance, share personal stories of struggling initially but succeeding in careers, and suggest focusing on consistent practice, understanding patterns, and not comparing oneself to online portrayals. Some humorously remark about the exaggerated fear of manual labor, while others emphasize that many employed developers also find these challenges difficult.