Ask HN: Am I committing career suicide? • Hacker News Board

Re: Ask HN: Am I committing career suicide?

#11

Post by mendozao » Tue, May 28, 2013, 6:20 AM UTC

I'm not an expert or anything, so take my personal opinion with a grain of salt. If you aren't happy, do something about it. Otherwise, in a couple years, you will wake up miserable feeling like you have cheated yourself out of the most precious thing we can never get back - time. You are the CEO of your own life. Enjoy your journey, take risks, and don't be afraid of being a little foolish - so long as it is in a smart way. Good luck!

(FWIW I skipped out on traditional job offers after getting my masters to begin a startup)

Re: Ask HN: Am I committing career suicide?

#12

Post by s3b » Tue, May 28, 2013, 6:21 AM UTC

Would it be possible to make a few apps on the side, see if they get any traction and then decide whether or not to jump? You could try taking a month off (without resigning) just to work full time on this. This way you could figure out if you're passionate about mobile apps without actually giving up your job.

Re: Ask HN: Am I committing career suicide?

#13

Post by macarthy12 » Tue, May 28, 2013, 6:22 AM UTC

Come live in Asia for 6 months. Cut your costs, have a break.

Word of warning - Its easy to take a break and end up getting nothing done. Set boundaries.

Re: Ask HN: Am I committing career suicide?

#14

Post by lucidrains » Tue, May 28, 2013, 6:23 AM UTC

if anything, i feel like you should be more employable if you decided to pursue mobile development rather than continue on with .NET.

Re: Ask HN: Am I committing career suicide?

#15

Post by waterlesscloud » Tue, May 28, 2013, 6:23 AM UTC

Ask yourself this- Do you want to work for anyone in the future that would hold this against you?

You don't sound like you do.

Re: Ask HN: Am I committing career suicide?

#16

Post by bearwithclaws » Tue, May 28, 2013, 6:25 AM UTC

Do it, and come to Malaysia.

Savings that lasts 5-10 years in the states would lasts you at least 20-30 years here. Most people here speaks English fluently, and the startups/hackers culture here are vibrant and growing.

My good friend quit his cozy programming job in Canada and spent a year travelling and hacking in Malaysia + Singapore. He left with more money than when he started (took very very few consulting jobs in between). Oh, and tons of great (food) memories: http://malaysianfoodporn.com/

Re: Ask HN: Am I committing career suicide?

#17

Post by noelwelsh » Tue, May 28, 2013, 6:28 AM UTC

Do it. The kind of people who will look down on you for taking risks are not the kind of people you want to work for.

In general, it sounds like you've taken a very safe / corporate path with your career. Pays well, but it's boring. That might be the problem. I did a year in a big company and haven't worked any sizeable since. I know guys who earn six figures a year working at banks, but the crap they have to put up with -- what's the point?

Re: Ask HN: Am I committing career suicide?

#18

Post by obviouslygreen » Tue, May 28, 2013, 6:29 AM UTC

GuiA wrote: post #4

Do it. Your savings exist precisely for that sort of situation. Take time off, and figure out what you want to do. Maybe it'll be freelancing/indie development. Maybe in 6 months you'll want to come back to the tech world. Or maybe you'll just say "fuck it" and go teach high school mathematics or help out with IT infrastructure in third world countries or whatever. The point is: you only live once, do it.

Perhaps good advice for HORRID reasons. Anyone spouting "YOLO" or any such thing should be ignored out of hand.

Re: Ask HN: Am I committing career suicide?

#19

Post by merusame » Tue, May 28, 2013, 6:29 AM UTC

Who, if not you (!!!), should do this?

Re: Ask HN: Am I committing career suicide?

#20

Post by bdreadz » Tue, May 28, 2013, 6:30 AM UTC

You know how to code. Take time off if you have savings. You will find a job if you desire going back to work for someone else.