Former Software Engineer Shares his Experience of Leaving a Tech Job Due to Panic Attacks
This as-told-to essay is based on a conversation with Eric Yu, a 28-year-old former software engineer at Meta. In 2016, after receiving multiple job offers from prestigious tech companies, Eric chose to join Facebook. The first year and a half at Facebook were exciting and fulfilling, but around two and a half years into his tenure, Eric started experiencing anxiety and eventually had his first panic attack during work hours.
The pressure and work environment in the tech industry made it difficult for Eric to disconnect from work, even after office hours. This constant state of high alertness and the intensity of coding blocks took a toll on his mental health. Eric recalls his first panic attack where his left pinky went numb, and his heart started racing. This experience persisted, and for six months, Eric felt lost, unable to focus on his work, and his performance suffered.
One of the factors that contributed to Eric’s anxiety was the high standard of code quality and tough feedback at Meta. The code reviews were often harsh and lacked tact, affecting Eric emotionally. Additionally, the heavy workload and the pressure to deliver results caused Eric to work long hours, even on weekends.
The tipping point for Eric was when his manager criticized his commit count, a measure of an engineer’s productivity. Eric felt frustrated that leadership focused solely on quantity without considering other valuable skills he possessed, such as mentorship and project management. Deciding that tech was no longer the right path for him, Eric and his fiancée explored different ways to generate income and ultimately settled on real estate investing.
Eric started with house hacking, buying a property and earning rental income by living in one part of the house and renting out the rest on Airbnb. This venture proved successful, and Eric gained confidence in real estate. Over time, he acquired more properties and reached a point where his real estate income surpassed his income from his tech job. With his finances in order, Eric made the bold decision to quit Meta.
Leaving his high-paying job during the pandemic wasn’t glamourous and lacked the formalities typically associated with leaving a company. However, for Eric, it was a relief to finally be free from the pressures of the tech industry. Now, Eric sees real estate investing as a means to explore his true purpose, which is to build community and help others transform their lives.
While Eric’s experience is unique to him, it sheds light on the challenges faced by many in the tech industry and highlights the importance of prioritizing mental health and finding a career that aligns with one’s values and passions.
