Hacker News Board Hacker News, browsed like a classic message board
Live data from Hacker News

Ask HN: Career Change to something without computers

news.ycombinator.com

Post reply on HN
Print view View original

31–40 of 47 posts

Re: Ask HN: Career Change to something without computers

#31

Post by swapsmagic »

mattm1 wrote: post #22
wallflower wrote: post #18

Re: Health Issues Assuming they are RSI related: I highly recommend "Conquering Carpal Tunnel Syndrome and Other Repetitive Strain Injuries" by Sharon Butler http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1572240393 RSI cannot be cured but it can be managed. For those of you who are fortunate to be able to take keyboard input for granted, please be wary of any soreness or minor pain. Over time, pain and soreness can become chronic…

OP here - my noprocast settings wouldn't have allowed me to post until tomorrow. I have a little RSI but I have taken steps so that it doesn't bother me anymore (switching to Dvorak layout was probably the best move). Actually, my health problems are with my skin. When I'm sitting at a computer, my skin seems to get itchy - maybe there isn't enough blood circulating or my posture is too stressful. A couple other peop…

My assumption is that you haven't consult any doctor yet for your problem. And if i am right, please go ahead and consult any good skin doctor and identify the root cause of your skin itching before thinking of switching the career.

Re: Ask HN: Career Change to something without computers

#32

Post by Morcane »

mathattack wrote: post #4

I will let others give you health advice. Just remember that nobody else will take care of yourself except for you. That said, here are some areas I have seen ex-programmers succeed: - Finance - May require another degree but it's an easy transition. The math shouldn't be too hard. It can be in the treasury dept, risk, anything with modeling. - Marketing analysis - you would be surprised how much Math is involved in…

lol you keep on dreaming that (programming being one of the hardest intellectual tasks out there).

Re: Ask HN: Career Change to something without computers

#34

Post by poissonpie »

I retrained to be a Shiatsu therapist (Japanese acupressure massage). It was a three year part time course (here in the UK) and I had every intention of quitting the IT world. Once I had finished the course though, my outlook had changed (partially because of the course - the theory behind Shiatsu is based on theory behind acupuncture and Traditional Chinese Medicine which is somewhat different to the more Western concepts I was brought up with). Anyway, now I do both - I code and I do Shiatsu.

Re: Ask HN: Career Change to something without computers

#35

Post by georgieporgie »

I've been pondering similar ideas, and my sister (Masters in odd textiles-related field) has been searching for jobs recently, so we discussed this. Our ideas:

* Electrician and especially low-voltage electrician. Find someone to take you on first, then get into the apprenticeship program. You get paid while you learn. Low-voltage sounds especially interesting, since it's things like wiring up alarm system, and less risk of electrocuting yourself. Wiring up alarm systems sounds more hacker-ish than any paid programming job I've had. Pretty much all electrician work involves a significant amount of problem solving.

* Welding. In particular, deep sea welding, sounds... interesting. It has potential for a very good salary, though it will involve significant risk management and probably a lot of time spent away from home and family.

* Trucking. It sounds less appealing with modern trucking organizations, but if you like driving, it might be doable. Years ago, I recall reading about a British IT guy that switched to trucking who absolutely loved it.

* Physical trainer. This one is probably great if computer-related physical issues have created a passion for fitness in you. I suspect these careers will be even harder going forward, if the economy continues to drag.

* Accounting, lawyering. These exacerbate the same physical issues. Lawyering is pretty dead now, what with way too many graduates.

* Teaching. You can try to teach English overseas to dabble in it and see if you like it.

That's all I can think of off the top of my head, but I've had a few drinks. ;-)

My basic goal with an alternate career is to get exposure to new business opportunities. For example, something seemingly silly like working at a prison might allow you insight into a whole new industry, where you could write niche software and potentially earn a lot of income. Nothing will ever make me stop thinking, "aha! I could solve that with some code..."

Re: Ask HN: Career Change to something without computers

#36

Post by blackboxxx »

mattm1 wrote: post #23
blackboxxx wrote: post #15

It's worrisome you would ask a bunch of strangers what profession you should take up. We don't know you from Moses. We don't know if you like crossword puzzles, make your own maple syrup, or have a lisp. You need to write out a list of what you love to do then explore the possibilities. For what it's worth, here is what I suggest: switch to a stand up desk for any computing tasks. I cobbled together an ugly ad hoc on…

OP here. I don't see why it's worrisome. This is just one place I am asking for advice. I don't see why people on the Internet assume you will only be asking strangers. This is more of a way to get ideas. If someone says "taxi driver" I'm not going to go out and immediately become a taxi driver. It's tough to think of jobs that don't require being in front of a computer nowadays. One time we were discussing the olden…

Oh heck, give it another shot. I found it awkward and tiring on the legs for about two weeks. Give yourself at least that amount of time.

Re: Ask HN: Career Change to something without computers

#37

Post by mattm1 »

swapsmagic wrote: post #31
mattm1 wrote: post #22

Earlier quoted context omitted.

OP here - my noprocast settings wouldn't have allowed me to post until tomorrow. I have a little RSI but I have taken steps so that it doesn't bother me anymore (switching to Dvorak layout was probably the best move). Actually, my health problems are with my skin. When I'm sitting at a computer, my skin seems to get itchy - maybe there isn't enough blood circulating or my posture is too stressful. A couple other peop…

My assumption is that you haven't consult any doctor yet for your problem. And if i am right, please go ahead and consult any good skin doctor and identify the root cause of your skin itching before thinking of switching the career.

I have been to doctors and a lot of them have told me "We don't know the cause" and "There is no cure for it". It leaves me a little disenfranchised at the medical system. But the keyword "good" skin doctor may be what I need to find. Thanks.

Re: Ask HN: Career Change to something without computers

#38

Post by subsection1h »

mattm1 wrote: post #23
blackboxxx wrote: post #15

It's worrisome you would ask a bunch of strangers what profession you should take up. We don't know you from Moses. We don't know if you like crossword puzzles, make your own maple syrup, or have a lisp. You need to write out a list of what you love to do then explore the possibilities. For what it's worth, here is what I suggest: switch to a stand up desk for any computing tasks. I cobbled together an ugly ad hoc on…

OP here. I don't see why it's worrisome. This is just one place I am asking for advice. I don't see why people on the Internet assume you will only be asking strangers. This is more of a way to get ideas. If someone says "taxi driver" I'm not going to go out and immediately become a taxi driver. It's tough to think of jobs that don't require being in front of a computer nowadays. One time we were discussing the olden…

  I've tried the standing desk before for a couple days but
  didn't really like it. I may try giving it another shot.
Remember to alternate between sitting and standing. If you can't get a motorized standing desk, get a tall task chair to accompany a stationary standing desk.

Also, get a footrest to use while standing.

Re: Ask HN: Career Change to something without computers

#39

Post by subsection1h »

waterside81 wrote: post #3

How about personal trainer? Definitely get to stay away from the computer and it's a highly technical profession (if you choose to be highly informed about the body and nutrition) so it should still satisfy the engineer/programmer in you.

I don't think personal trainers should get into the nutrition business. That's what registered dieticians and certified nutritionists are for.

Re: Ask HN: Career Change to something without computers

#40

Post by keeptrying »

mathattack wrote: post #4

I will let others give you health advice. Just remember that nobody else will take care of yourself except for you. That said, here are some areas I have seen ex-programmers succeed: - Finance - May require another degree but it's an easy transition. The math shouldn't be too hard. It can be in the treasury dept, risk, anything with modeling. - Marketing analysis - you would be surprised how much Math is involved in…

Both Finance and Marketing Analysis will still probably need you to sit at a desk.

Being a teacher would probably be better from a "not-sitting" point of view.

Post reply on HN