Stuck in a Non-Tech Govt Job—Missing My Coding Brain, Need Advice!
So, I’m in my early 30s, working as a govt employee, but my real passion is tech—coding, backend infrastructure, cloud stuff. I do some freelance work for startups, and that really gets my brain going. Here’s the catch: my day job isn’t tech related at all, and while I’m managing a project now that’s somewhat interesting, it’s ending soon. After that, I’ll be pretty much stuck in a pure non-tech role, and honestly, the thought is kinda depressing.
I love solving problems, building things, keeping up with new tech, but I’m worried I’ll feel really stuck and bored in this non-tech environment. I’m hoping to get suggestions, maybe build a network, even guidance or counseling if someone’s willing. If you’ve been through something similar or have any thoughts or resources, drop a comment or DM me. Open to chatting about anything—careers, upskilling, freelancing, transitioning out of public sector, whatever.
Thanks for reading. Looking forward to hearing your perspectives.
You want to join tech industry and you have a government job 👀
I get that reaction everytime I try to discuss but thing is apart from job security I get nothing out of it.
Money is way mid.
I'm more inclined towards upskilling and working amongst intellectuals whereas it may sound harsh but I'm between guys who don't know different between HTML CSS which is not something you'll know only if you're a developer. I'll never get appreciated or got appreciated for the efforts and knowledge because nobody will understand the time it takes to learn those skills.
So I'm here with no money no job satisfaction 6 day working with a tag that most are eager to get.
There are many individuals I know personally who switched from govt to IT JOBS. Not a biggie…
I quit my govt PSU Bank job Because i didnt want
- half of my current CTC
- to wear Formals/shoes
- Relocate to Mumbai
- to work on mundane , non innovative work
- to be direspected by AGM/DGM for stupid reasons.
- to fight for chair/table.(Bad infra) | i work on macbook now.
- No Stock compensation | Stocks appreciate really well in long term
- dont want strict Time constraint( 10am - 6 pm) | Im happy with WFH / hybrid persona
- Don't want to grow at just 4% DA every year | wants faster growth, learning opportunities
- dont want to be stuck in India | seeking global opportunities/onsite
- dont want bossing around/micromanagement/ bad coding standards
I can relate to it so much 😌
I too started as a public sector bank employee, spent 5 years there doing loan recovery work, Was finally able to get into tech sector, thanks to a kind hearted techie who referred me. Although I had to take a 35% pay cut just for switching from non-tech to tech.
You got the best of both worlds. Job security and prestige ig a govt job plus a side hustle. I know ppl who've stuck with their govt job for 15 years and have been building since 10 years. I've moved to the Pvt sector after quitting a govt job. I sometimes regret the decision seeing the constant layoffs happening around. Govt job means loans time is available, job is secure, loans are cheaper, the benefits. As long as your job leaves you time to build on the side, it's a great combo
My govt job was related to business and interact with people, which AI will not replace. My current job is where I can be replaced with AI or a junior resource. Pvt sector Seemed lucrative, but considering the longevity of earnings, I feel govt job is at par, if not better.
Appreciate it man.!
Brother I worked for 3 Tech companies and now settled in a govt job near my home earning a good salary. I am 27 now. Of course anytime I want to go back to IT , I can. But I realised that the constant hustle upskilling culture sacrificing youth running behind a lavish lifestyle is not worth it.
I can give you many examples. In india people have this mindset that non tech roles are inferior to Tech role. trust me many of my friends working in IT areas doing mundane work and working on same spreadsheets daily without innovation.
If you take salaries, yes IT pays well but at what cost? You need to sacrifice your health for a western company just to prove yourself constantly. When I was working in IT, I realised people over 35-40 are under constant fear of layoffs and it's so difficult for companies to hire because of their experience and hefty packages. Whereas in my govt job people over 35 are in peace enjoying their life with not so much regrets, spend time with their family go on trips go on leaves. They come to the office late and leave easily no one bats an eye.
So I will suggest you to start a side hustle on weekends after office hours. Explore places and follow your passion. You can try to take a 2-3 month break from the govt job and go for a long vacation to explore yourself. Remember the govt cannot fire you whatsoever. Best of luck mate
Thanks for sharing... It really is insightful and something i can relate to and i totally understand it..!
Much appreciated brother, this really helps 🤝🤝
My 3 cents would be do not leave Govt job ...private jobs however lucrative it seems it's always a race to prove yourselves everyday with always a uncertainty about future . You can try freelancing if you want as I am pretty sure you have plenty of ideal time to spare
Big Sir I'm fine with freelance work but I'm not one of those freelancers with accounts on upwork or some platforms, and making one now would be too much work and luck i guess, I'll surely make one if you think that's best way to go about it but also I'm looking for plan where i reach out to network and see which project i can really help and grow with
Yeah glad I didn’t tried for govt jobs thinking about this future. Yes IT is unstable but again I had and have very good opportunities.
Best part is if work environment or management is toxic, you have whole market to explore Govt job ones have one and only one job and designation for their whole life no matter how toxic or unstable it is or non progressive
Well if you are into it from bottom of heart...try upskilling in AI. Get python clear and do a course on ML/AI. That is the future bro.
Thanks for the advice man 🤝 Any particular place where if i pursue course is like more industry relevant and not just 60 hour dump of each and everything about tech that no one uses in industry I use Udemy for courses as they are budget friendly but can hardly finish any end to end as they go so deep into everything at times instead of focusing on what matters
Now a days education is practically free , only certificates comes with cost. Just pick any high tech institute MIT, Stanford, IITs and pick their free courses. You will get the knowledge. Leave certificates for initial phases.
Or try Coursera.com , deeplearning.ai or industry course from IBM , Microsoft, google.
Sources are many.
I don't know where I have heard this but it got me . Proverbs goes like " You have to work for Kitchen and another work for Soul" I wanted to be in Defence, Conference out 13 times from SSB last SSB 2017. Trust me bro there are people who will die to be at your postion . Request you to never DISRESPECT your primary job. You are doing correct thing . Keep doing Freelancing if you think that's the work for Soul.
Brother tbh I cleared SSC first attempt but didn't join You may call me whatever and I totally deserve it Yes now I'm just govt employee but I'm not related to any ministry or power or decision makers More like PSU (Transit Domain)
And no I'm not disrespecting my job, also I'm can't live in delusion that I'm amongst intellectuals and even if peers were intellectuals they are also wasting talent because my core for which i was hired was somewhat you can relate to some really big store manager who is not supposed to be smart but efficient enough to make housekeeping staff work to get store nice and tidy and do some data entry make rounds etc
