Chapter 1: The State of Software Engineering in Venezuela

Being a software engineer in Venezuela in 2024, especially with 15 years of experience, comes with unique challenges and questions about the future.

The mental health landscape in Venezuela has been difficult since 1999, the year the current regime took control of government institutions, leading to a steady decline in societal conditions. Once home to the most prestigious computer science programs in the region, Venezuela was recognized for its success in international programming contests and groundbreaking research. However, by 2013, the government’s ongoing conflict with institutions that encouraged critical thinking resulted in decreasing budgets for public and autonomous universities. Coupled with soaring inflation—having undergone three major currency devaluations—these institutions struggled to retain faculty or maintain infrastructure.

I consider myself fortunate; I graduated in 2010 with a bachelor's degree in computer science and earned my master's just three years later. Yet, due to the dire economic climate, my annual earnings were under $2,000, which, surprisingly, allowed for a modest lifestyle in Venezuela.

By 2020, the economy transitioned to reliance on the US dollar, drastically altering salary structures, prices, and availability of goods and services. Since 2022, however, growth has stagnated. With about 15 years of experience, I earn less than peers who chose to leave the country for better opportunities in places like Chile, the United States, or Spain.

Currently, I juggle two full-time positions, bringing in $40,000 annually. My experience also allows for side projects, adding another $10,000 to my income. While I recognize that I could potentially earn more in other countries for less work, I often contemplate how much my salary truly covers after expenses.

My monthly budget, excluding side projects, is approximately $3,333, allocated as follows:

• Housing: $300 for a three-bedroom apartment in a reasonably priced city.
• Internet Services: $60 for a 400 Mbps fiber connection and mobile data.
• Food: $500 for one person, primarily from fast food or local eateries.
• Gas: $40 for 80 liters per month.
• Subcontracting: $300 for a developer assistant to help manage my workload.
• Social Life: $200 for outings like beer, pizza, or burgers on weekends.
• Support for Family: $1,100 + $450 + $250 to assist my family until they relocate abroad.

In total, my expenses add up to $3,200, leaving a mere $130 for unexpected costs like medicine or car repairs. At times, it feels as if I’m overworking for limited downtime.

My daily schedule typically looks like this: I rise at 6:30 AM and begin work by 8:00 AM. My morning routine involves preparing breakfast, catching up on Twitter, and driving to the office—if not working from home, where I might spend additional time on social media. Lunch is at noon, lasting about 60 to 90 minutes before I resume work, often concluding around 6:00 PM or 7:00 PM, especially since December 2023 when I started collaborating with an international team.

In 2024, I took on various side projects, fitting in a gym session at 8:00 PM for an hour. By 10:00 PM, I check on freelance work related to my second job and usually work until midnight on coding tasks. Saturdays are often dedicated to work until noon, while Sundays remain work-free.

Given this schedule, I find little time or financial freedom to pursue romantic relationships. Occasionally, I forgo my evening routine to socialize with friends or enjoy a night out with someone special.

What do I do in these roles? In my primary job, I serve as a software architect, leading a team of 15 engineers. We design extensive cloud-based solutions for a major warehouse chain operating in Costa Rica, Guatemala, El Salvador, and Venezuela. My responsibilities include team leadership, documentation creation, problem-solving, and technical task delegation, all within an agile framework. I collaborate closely with project managers focused on the administrative side while I handle technical assessments.

In my second role, I function as the CTO of an evolving online learning platform, overseeing development and hiring freelancers for programming tasks. This allows me to concentrate on architectural design and business strategy. For side projects, I handle both backend and frontend development, utilizing AI to enhance my workflow efficiency.

Additionally, I teach at the university level—both graduate and postgraduate courses—on a volunteer basis because of my passion for education. This role allows me to connect with aspiring software engineers and provides opportunities through my professional network. The most gratifying aspect is the mutual learning and the chance to support them.

Despite the fulfillment I derive from my work, I occasionally yearn for deeper human connections, highlighting the ongoing struggle to maintain balance.

As I reflect on my situation in 2024, it becomes clear that while I strive diligently, my quality of life is not as positive as I’d hoped. The necessity to work excessively to meet expenses weighs heavily on my work-life balance, which is far from ideal.

With the challenges I face, I often wonder if opportunities in other parts of the world might provide the solutions I seek. Perhaps elsewhere, I could achieve a better equilibrium between work and personal life, earn a more competitive salary, and enjoy a superior quality of life. Looking ahead, I contemplate 2025 as a potential year to explore opportunities abroad.

What guidance can you offer me?

The first video, "If I Wanted a Software Engineering Job in 2024, I'd Do This," delves into strategies for securing software engineering positions in the current landscape.

The second video, "Is it still worth it to become a software engineer in 2024?" examines the viability of pursuing a career in software engineering today.