mcrwfrd

I recently started refreshing my knowledge of data structures and algorithms and discovered that I actually really enjoy the subject. Studying the Union-Find data structure, for example, has really helped me rediscover the joy of programming.

After a few years in the industry, I have mostly accepted that most programming jobs these days are "lego programming", in the sense that we don't really use "computer science" knowledge in our day jobs, we mostly just connect API's and write business logic. I've mostly come to terms with this. But a couple of times a year, I start to wonder if there are any jobs these days that are more than just "lego programming".

So the question: does anyone here have a job in which the code they write is more "computer science" and less "lego programming"?

My hope with this question is to have a few modern examples of interesting computer science roles in industry, rather than reignite the old "all we do is CRUD" pity party.

After browsing HN for a couple of years, I've seen that a fair few members of this community have studied math at the post-secondary level. It's not uncommon to see Ask HN posts about how to weave a mathematics background into a coding job or how to continue studying mathematics on one's own.

I find myself in a similar position and have resolved that, at a bare minimum, I need to involve math in my life at least in a recreational way, if not in a professional way. Although this could be fun completely solo, I'd like to have like-minded people to talk to about this. Since my location is somewhat rural and because of COVID, I'd like to commune with other math people online.

For clarity, when I think about involving math in my life, I'm thinking about picking up where I left off with abstract algebra, real and complex analysis, and maybe some theoretic physics.

So HN, the question is, where are the other math lovers hanging out online?

I earned a bachelor's in Math at a well-known Canadian school and after a few years working as a software developer, I'm finding I miss doing math on a daily basis. I'm considering going back for grad school in Math purely out of interest, not for some increase in hireability or earning potential.

On that note, if you got a PhD in Math at some point, I'm curious to hear about what you did afterwards. I hear a career in academia is getting harder and harder these days. If you have a PhD in Math, where do you work today?