Ask HN: Need advise whether I should continue on the Master's degree
I have started the second semester of a master's degree in Computer science and I am unsure whether it is the right for me.
I think the subjects I have chosen are interesting and I enjoy the challenge but when I am done with the day or done preparing for the lecture, I feel 'empty' inside. I have only felt excited and wanting to learn more for few selected subjects. It feels like as I am taking the degree for the sake of it without a goal to aim for. I have had a few programming hobby projects with the goal of improving my skills and making software I would use but I have not finished any of them. I felt that the project had no purpose that deeply mattered to me.
I have been working as a software developer for a year prior starting on the master's program. The days did not feel boring and I enjoyed the challenges, discussing and drawing architecture of services I had to make. The implementation was still fun but not as enjoyable as the design part.
I have considered dropping out to try to pick a software development job which has a stronger focus on helping people, such as developing hearing aids, or with a focus on the environment to see if I enjoy the field more. And learn the skills I need as I go when I see a need for it in my career. But am I shooting myself in the foot by doing this?
Do you think I feel this because I have chosen the wrong degree? Or because I am missing a 'why'?
I think the subjects I have chosen are interesting and I enjoy the challenge but when I am done with the day or done preparing for the lecture, I feel 'empty' inside. I have only felt excited and wanting to learn more for few selected subjects. It feels like as I am taking the degree for the sake of it without a goal to aim for. I have had a few programming hobby projects with the goal of improving my skills and making software I would use but I have not finished any of them. I felt that the project had no purpose that deeply mattered to me.
I have been working as a software developer for a year prior starting on the master's program. The days did not feel boring and I enjoyed the challenges, discussing and drawing architecture of services I had to make. The implementation was still fun but not as enjoyable as the design part.
I have considered dropping out to try to pick a software development job which has a stronger focus on helping people, such as developing hearing aids, or with a focus on the environment to see if I enjoy the field more. And learn the skills I need as I go when I see a need for it in my career. But am I shooting myself in the foot by doing this?
Do you think I feel this because I have chosen the wrong degree? Or because I am missing a 'why'?