If the job application requires leetcode, just do it. The worst thing that could happen is you learn something.

I’ve been in the industry since the 1980s. I don’t see AI as any kind of threat. We expected a lot of the waves of technology would reduce the need for programmers but I now view it like Jevon’s paradox: AI will expand IT uses not reduce the number of programmers.

My colleagues all lived through various paradigm shifts (visual programming, no-code, low-code, objects, client server, etc) the work never really changes for the vast majority of programmers doing productivity work like CRUD systems.

Reach out to former co workers for opportunities.

I see a bit of mixed signal from your post: you like recreational programming, but you hate leetcoding (which are close to puzzles). You mention that the non-technical part of the job (product thinking?) doesn't seem interesting, but you consider content creation which is very much people-facing.

What is it that you like? Not a specific job or task, I mean what is it that you like doing? Solving problems for people, interacting with a team, solving puzzles, deep theoretical stuff?

The intersection of that and what's livable is what is going to work.

Why don't you either just say the country you're from or don't say it at all?

Making the reader have to look up which country is the most populous on earth seems like the worst possible way of conveying that you are Indian.

> I hate leetcode and that keeps me away from most of the job opportunities

Odds are that until you can get past this mindset, you will hit a similar wall in every career, it will just be less obvious to you that you're hitting it.

Success at most careers means a lot of tedious grinding out basic skills. If you're lucky you like the grinding, but that's rare.

And here's the important part - getting better at this stuff makes the job more fun, humans really like the feeling of mastery. My first 4 years in SWE were miserable because I had no CS background. But I ground really hard on textbooks and leetcode, every minute of which was uncomfortable, and now my career is awesome!

Maybe SWE isn't for you, but whatever you do, commit to the work.

If you're worried about AI, content creation seems like the worst possible choice. If you want to future proof your career, I suggest finding a specialty that needs some hands on work, e.g. embedded development. AI is not going to pick up boards, attach probes and debug oscilloscope traces.. a least for a little while yet.

I'm guessing I'm over twice your age but my situation is similar to yours in a couple aspects. What I decided to do is focus on exploring the new capabilities that AI will allow individuals to do (especially those of us who can code). There are a lot of ppl who are justifiably frustrated with the current state of the tools. But don't get discouraged by that. I've seen A LOT of tech waves. It's still early in the AI era. I won't suggest any particular approach but recommend giving it some thought.

BTW, being an old timer, I also hated the leetcode thing when it became a widespread thing after Google adopted the practice in the wake of The Joel (Spolsky) Test. But you know, years later when I had to go through some interviews, I did spend a few months studying it and it turned out to be pretty fun. But passing technical screenings didn't help me land a job... only connecting via my network seemed to make any difference.

You don't have to enjoy your job. You have 4 YoE. Maybe grind LeetCode and get a job in the next 6 months.

If 4 years of work can provide for 2 years of retirement, you can retire at 50 or so.

There is usually no "calling". Do your work, earn your money, get over it, is the best advice you're going to get. Save for an early retirement if you hate it too much.

Read Accelerando (free online) and the top posts of all time from Venkatesh Rao's blog (Ribbonfarm). Total time 12-16 hours.

You'll get a few really good ideas about whether or not you want to move to a different part of tech or leave tech altogether.

Pivot to being a student again :)

> I come from the world's most populous country.

> Realistically, moving abroad is tough but I want to! I applied to a lot of startups but not getting any positive response.

I was in a similar situation. After being bored doing CRUD, I applied for a masters program and moved to Germany in 2019 (I was 26 at the time). One of the better decisions I’ve made. There is no tuition fee (!!) in Germany for international students, and it is not that hard to get admitted to _some_ university (though actually graduating is hard). Computer science masters programs are usually in English. It is a fairly risk-free way to try out your hand at some research, and if you don’t like it, you can always find some software engineering job.

It’s not going to be easy - university applications are a pain in the ass, you will still have to learn some German e.t.c. But it’s a good way to “reset” your life.

> I hate leetcode and that keeps me away from most of the job opportunities.

One way out of this is to interview deliberately at smaller companies.

Maybe a startup? if you have the time, what's to lose