Ask HN: What is the job for a jack-of-all-trades?

But first, do you want to become a specialist? Or would you like to stay a generalist?

I wouldn't force a fit. I'm dealing with the same situation actually.

I realized that in a specialized society, a generalist is a specialist. You're a generalized problem-solver. You're not just adding new knowledge and skills, you're integrating them.

It's hard to explain to others what you're good at. And sometimes you don't even know yourself. But that forces you to follow your own vision.

People have a tendency to define themselves in the static. But people aren't static they're dynamic. The hardest part is refining who you are, so it makes sense to others.

You have to create your career.

Unfortunately, I don't think I can give anything more than general advice (in principle). But I can relate to your situation. It takes a lot of thought and experience to figure out how you're going to do anything new.

But communication is essential. Consultants seem to be hired, often because of their writing skills. If you choose to go down that route.

EDIT: I'm self-taught too. I think it's a common problem for us, that adds to the complication. You can't point to a degree. And I have no special skills. But that's the trade off I wanted to make.

I too sail in the same boat and I find it tough to write down my skill sets in my profile or explaining it to others.

I can work on PHP, Python and Mysql (and would start learning ruby becoz i love to learn new stuff like you). But my way of thinking has been like a marketing guy(and love doing this kinda job too).

I'd suggest entrepreneur too. More specifically, an entrepreneur who can integrate different fields together to create new field. And at some point you will have to become the specialist of that new field. So you gotta throw away the jack-of-all-trade mentality.

I'm a musician too. So let's use music analogue. Good musicians often can play in many different musical styles. (a jack-of-all-trade) However, great musicians experiment with various styles and create new ones. (e.g. Duke Ellington for early jazz) Here's the critical part. Plenty of musicians "experiment" but they don't master these new styles or techniques. The work is lost and they will be forgotten. But the one who do master them will move music into a new era.

Being a jack-of-all-trade means you can learn very well. So use that ability to learn something very well.