I’m a 24M currently working as a software engineer. Since graduating college, I’ve developed an interest in making cocktails and bartending, and it is now one of my life goals to become a bartender. So in addition to working as a SWE, I have also been working as a server at a Buffalo Wild Wings for the last 6 months. Even though I’m not a bartender (yet), I’ve found it very eye-opening, enriching, and fun.

Some in my family tell me that working in a restaurant is a waste of my time, and I would be better off spending that time staying up to date with the tech landscape and improving my software engineering ability. At this time, I disagree with this. I still generally like developing software, and do intend for it to be my career, but I’m no longer as passionate about it and I don’t want computer-related things to be the main focus of my life. I find more joy in having different and diverse experiences, and working in the service industry is part of that for me.

As I get older and the tech industry, my desires, and obligations change, there is a chance I will regret the time I spent working at a restaurant instead of investing more time in my career. This question resolves on March 27th, 2029 to YES if at that point I do regret spending time working in a restaurant, and NO if I do not.