There is an enormous amount of software product design that doesn't cross into Silicon Valley / tech startup world. I've spent years designing video streaming and entertainment systems, farm management tools, cooking apps, tools for health diagnosis, workflow management and cinema booking apps. There is a lot of great, well-paid work outside of Silicon Valley that you can feel proud of.
It's a totally fair question.
There is an enormous amount of software product design that doesn't cross into Silicon Valley / tech startup world. I've spent years designing video streaming and entertainment systems, farm management tools, cooking apps, tools for health diagnosis, workflow management and cinema booking apps. There is a lot of great, well-paid work outside of Silicon Valley that you can feel proud of.