I took a year off in my 20's for spiritual pursuits and volunteer work. Best thing I ever did, it wasn't well planned and on a shoestring. If I could do over I would have done the finances differently. I cam back to software, but with a much different outlook and world view.
Ask HN: Have you ever thought of leaving programming for something else?
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Re: Ask HN: Have you ever thought of leaving programming for something else?
#12Anything involving pragmatic problem solving. Keep the mind occupied with varied tasks and satisfied by frequently delivering solutions. Skip the intricacies and subtleties of dealing with software.
There are so many people performing repetitive tasks who could benefit greatly from relatively small optimizations. I would be able to directly witness the impact of my work and make a difference on a personal level. It's hard to do this in software because the landscape changes so quickly.
It would also be super fun to practice apprentice-style learning in multiple fields and document/share everything.
Re: Ask HN: Have you ever thought of leaving programming for something else?
#13Mechanical Engineering -- I work through a different mechanics textbook once a year, or so, for fun. I think I enjoy the theory of how the physical world works more than the practice, which keeps me where I am. :)
Re: Ask HN: Have you ever thought of leaving programming for something else?
#14I believe a lot of us here on HN would consider leaving programming for doing business. A lot (including myself) already did.
Programming being very often about solving business needs, sometime in your career, you might be in a position to realize that it could make sense to go higher up the chain and build a company.
Re: Ask HN: Have you ever thought of leaving programming for something else?
#15I'm a part-time paramedic. I'd go full time in a heartbeat if it paid well enough to feed my family...
Re: Ask HN: Have you ever thought of leaving programming for something else?
#16NEVER, programming is best work ever, giving me much freedom.
Re: Ask HN: Have you ever thought of leaving programming for something else?
#17Study history and/or industrial design even though I'm horrible in the latter.
Re: Ask HN: Have you ever thought of leaving programming for something else?
#18If it didn't require such a huge time commitment I'd consider becoming a PA or MD, but once you already have a family and bills it's practically impossible to get through the required schooling.
Re: Ask HN: Have you ever thought of leaving programming for something else?
#19Law has always interested me. Unfortunately the cover charge is such that I would only be willing to give it a go in the event of an equity lottery win or something similar.
Another thing I've been toying with is prop trading. It's not entirely separate from programming, but the industry is pretty isolated in terms of expertise so it might be considered separate.
Re: Ask HN: Have you ever thought of leaving programming for something else?
#20Either a chef or a lawyer. Maybe both.
Why chef? sounds interesting and fun