> it would at least be nice to get some feedback, and I never get any
> I just can't seem to connect with anyone at work
> there might not be enough interest to warrant having such meetings
> you can do what is essentially bad work and still get paid
> the response has basically been "That must be frustrating"
> I'm wondering whether this is due to the company
All company outside a few small areas is exactly like this, the exceptions being:
* Startups
* Open-source
There is nothing wrong with this company. This is how pretty much all companies are. This kind of environment is suitable for 85% of software engineers. They like it that way, and they want it that way. Companies do not want to be dependent on heroics. They want a predictable process.
> I spend a large part of my weekends writing code for prototypes and projects
* Be on the outlook for a sufficently-funded startup where you could be the CTO or technical co-founder
* Join an open source project
Do not talk about this to other people in the company. In the meanwhile, until you have landed your new role, avoid disturbing other people, or make them feel inadequate. Companies fundamentally cannot use people like you. It is contrary to their desire to keep things predictable, both good and bad things.
By the way, personality-wise, I am pretty much like you. I am a co-founder in 3 startups and 2 open-source projects. It may be annoying for you that you are not suitable for working in most companies around, but at the same time, if you find the right place to work at, you will have much, much more fun and make much, much more money than in a "normal" job.
> Am I expecting too much?
> Is this just how software engineering is?
> my own unrealistic expectations
> I generally don't get any response whatsoever
> it would at least be nice to get some feedback, and I never get any
> I just can't seem to connect with anyone at work
> there might not be enough interest to warrant having such meetings
> you can do what is essentially bad work and still get paid
> the response has basically been "That must be frustrating"
> I'm wondering whether this is due to the company
All company outside a few small areas is exactly like this, the exceptions being:
* Startups
* Open-source
There is nothing wrong with this company. This is how pretty much all companies are. This kind of environment is suitable for 85% of software engineers. They like it that way, and they want it that way. Companies do not want to be dependent on heroics. They want a predictable process.
> I spend a large part of my weekends writing code for prototypes and projects
* Be on the outlook for a sufficently-funded startup where you could be the CTO or technical co-founder
* Join an open source project
Do not talk about this to other people in the company. In the meanwhile, until you have landed your new role, avoid disturbing other people, or make them feel inadequate. Companies fundamentally cannot use people like you. It is contrary to their desire to keep things predictable, both good and bad things.
By the way, personality-wise, I am pretty much like you. I am a co-founder in 3 startups and 2 open-source projects. It may be annoying for you that you are not suitable for working in most companies around, but at the same time, if you find the right place to work at, you will have much, much more fun and make much, much more money than in a "normal" job.