LeandroD's Quick takes

LeandroD

Career switch in a third world country

Hey guys! I'm not sure if this is the place to post it, but I'd love to hear your thoughts on the matter. I am from Argentina and I'm based there. I work remotely in an American startup (I don't want to relocate), and I consider myself a really good software engineer. I got into tech because I thought I could have a huge impact! After reading the 80k blog a thousand times I started considering a career switch. I'm not sure anymore about how much impact I can have as a software engineer. I'm 23, and I've been considering a career in academia. I discarded AI, so I'm thinking about a completely different field (economics).Assume I enjoy both the same and I'm equally good: can you think of any scenario in which I can have more impact as a software engineer?

Pros for switching:

As a researcher, I'd graduate from the best (or second-best) university in Latinamerica.
I know I can get into research kind of easily (it's pretty common as an undergrad if you show interest).
At least based on 80k, I can have way more impact.
I discarded AI as a field because I'm not sure about the impact I can have from a third world country (again, relocating is out of the table).
I also discarded AI because the best program in the country was too much for me. I couldn't stand working full time and calculus

Pros for staying on software engineering:

I suffer from impostor syndrome as anyone else, but I've been regarded as highly competent in every job I've had. I've also been regarded as someone who can both design the bigger picture while implementing every tiny detail.
I already have a ton of career capital.
A low salary in the US or Europe is a high salary in Argentina, so I could work for EA organizations while donating, saving, and investing a lot.
There aren't many researchers in the country regarding AI, and most of them end up leaving the country. I don't know how it could be worth it though, given that Argentina will be one of the last countries in the world to implement any AI technology.

LeandroD

Career switch in a third world country

Pros for switching:

As a researcher, I'd graduate from the best (or second-best) university in Latinamerica.
I know I can get into research kind of easily (it's pretty common as an undergrad if you show interest).
At least based on 80k, I can have way more impact.
I discarded AI as a field because I'm not sure about the impact I can have from a third world country (again, relocating is out of the table).
I also discarded AI because the best program in the country was too much for me. I couldn't stand working full time and calculus

Pros for staying on software engineering:

I suffer from impostor syndrome as anyone else, but I've been regarded as highly competent in every job I've had. I've also been regarded as someone who can both design the bigger picture while implementing every tiny detail.
I already have a ton of career capital.
A low salary in the US or Europe is a high salary in Argentina, so I could work for EA organizations while donating, saving, and investing a lot.
There aren't many researchers in the country regarding AI, and most of them end up leaving the country. I don't know how it could be worth it though, given that Argentina will be one of the last countries in the world to implement any AI technology.