[qaid]

I too once scoffed at grinding leetcode. I’d rather work on side projects or blog instead.

But after 5 years of failing to get a job offer, I finally caved. Putting in the effort to deeply understand DS/algos and grind away leetcode led me to getting offers I liked and IMO has made me a better engineer.

I now have a “gold star” on my resume and am confident I can still answer most leetcode questions. I consider that time spent as a great time investment, since landing my next job will be much easier.

Money wasn’t my original goal when I got into CS, but it eventually became my driving force. I regret taking so long to notice this, and letting my feelings get in my way (of how it “should be”) / resisting leetcode for so long.

[the_only_law]

> Money wasn’t my original goal when I got into CS, but it eventually became my driving force.

Same, once I realized that the reasons I originally loved programming were never going to present in a my career.

Though currently I'm more tempted to eat the loss, shed the golden handcuffs and go do something else.

[nly]

Achieve financial independence first. You never know what life will throw at you