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Ask HN: Alternative careers for a developer

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Re: Ask HN: Alternative careers for a developer

#51

Post by access_denied »

swombat wrote: post #34
mechanical_fish wrote: post #4

From what I've seen, architects go to school, really arduous school, for years, after which they continue to work constantly, much more than 40 hours per week. I believe they get paid less than developers, have less job security -- and, yes, sit at a computer all day. But what do I know? All I can suggest is: Don't apply to design or architecture school until you've talked with at least three working architects or de…

From what I've seen, architects go to school, really arduous school, for years, after which they continue to work constantly, much more than 40 hours per week. I believe they get paid less than developers, have less job security -- and, yes, sit at a computer all day. As I spend a lot of time working with architects, I can confirm that. Architects spend all day in front of the computer, they click much more repetitiv…

You will do many unpaid or very lowly paid internships in studios with a "name" before you do get a job "designing cool buildings".

Re: Ask HN: Alternative careers for a developer

#52

Post by thenduks »

I think you should continue writing software.

1) You say you aren't very good at it... In my experience that means you're probably pretty good at it :)

2) Physical and substantial... well, it's easy to get disillusioned with some enterprise app or something. Maybe you just need a change of scenery? Get into web development or something else new to you.

3) I can sympathize with physical pain. Spend some serious mind-share learning new tools that will help you get around this. Try xmonad, vim, or other tools that keep your hands on the home-row. Take lots and lots of little breaks (grab a coffee, stretch, etc).

My 2 cents.

Re: Ask HN: Alternative careers for a developer

#53

Post by pradocchia »

izak30 wrote: post #19

My Dad is an architect in a small town (40k pop) and services much of rural south eastern ohio. He almost never sits at a computer during the day, and most of his drafting is done by draftsmen on datacad. I'd be happy to privately give you his e-mail to answer questions. Here's what I know that might help: Because he's in a small town, working on relatively small projects (typically under 1M), he often acts as an ove…

My mother is also an architect. She does historic renovations, mostly, and still drafts by hand. She spends much of her time at jobs sites, talking to clients/organizations, and researching period styles in actual books (!).

Of course, it takes a long time to develop a reputation for historic architecture, and it is very local unless you develop a national name through the journals.

Re: Ask HN: Alternative careers for a developer

#55

Post by Mz »

Some years back, I had the epiphany that I wanted to "do something in the built environment" career-wise. I went through some college catalogs, made a list of all the majors related to the built environment and read what was required to complete a degree in them. I eliminated Architecture off the bat because you basically start from scratch with a degree in Architecture. None of my existing credits would have meant squat. I eliminated civil engineering because I had dropped out of calculus when I was 18 and they required lots of calculus. I don't remember all the other degrees I considered. Ultimately, I concluded I wanted a bachelor's in environmental resource management and a master's in urban planning. Life got in the way, so I haven't finished my bachelor's (though I did manage to work in a nifty certificate in GIS) but perhaps the thought process I went through will help you.

Good luck with this.

Re: Ask HN: Alternative careers for a developer

#57

Post by aohtsab »

santry wrote: post #20

Having spent the last 15 years as a developer, I'm now working toward a career as an opera singer (I'm a tenor). Admittedly I find it difficult to identify many similarities between opera and software development. People often make a connection between music and mathematics, but for me the non -mathematic aspects of opera are what I find most attractive. The sheer thrill of dramatic expression through controlled scre…

I couldn't agree more—I've stopped trying to find a connection between writing poetry and coding; rejecting the notion of a need for continuity/connection in all of my interests has made me a happier person.

Re: Ask HN: Alternative careers for a developer

#58

Post by wallflower »

tjpick wrote: post #47
da5e wrote: post #15

Somebody somewhere is doing your dream job as a bridge to doing their dream job.

you can't do what you want by doing something else.

"Work might not necessarily make you happy but it may give you the means to do the stuff that makes you happy"

Re: Ask HN: Alternative careers for a developer

#59

Post by wallflower »

ilikekittens wrote: post #6
dschobel wrote: post #5

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Including the architecture and design jobs he listed. I guess if he really hates computers he could be a manager and spend his days in meetings.

It's not a matter of hating computers but of being unable to use them much. I have RSI and can go for periods of weeks/months of being unable to type.

I have RSI and I have found swimming to be helpful. Zero-impact and it really relaxes muscles after a bout of coding.

Check out Terry Laughlin's http://totalimmersion.net program for how you can learn to swim freestyle without struggle.

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