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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?

#51

A few years ago, I briefly considered going back to school, getting a degree in Exercise & Sports Science, and getting into athletic training. But in the end, I could never quite convince myself to do it, and the moment passed. I also flirted with the idea of becoming a private detective a couple of times in my life. I actually still find that idea somewhat interesting, but I doubt I'd ever make the money doing that,…

Private investigators with a good grasp of IT are very rare and white collar crimes, etc are rife. As for the training, much of it is common sense and not above the levels required to get a degree in any other field.

Re: Ask HN: Have you ever thought of leaving programming for something else?

#52
post #40

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Can I ask how you got started in the field? I actually began my career in Accounting (my undergrad is in it), and still find the world of finance pretty interesting. Somewhere along the line I ended up in Engineering and have been a Software Dev ever since. But I do still think about getting into trading at some point, but not sure how to transition.

How does an accountant end up in "engineering" without going back to Uni and doing an engineering degree?

The scare quotes are pretty condescending. How about removing them?

Re: Ask HN: Have you ever thought of leaving programming for something else?

#55

I'd like to do something that does not involve looking at screens all the time. As it is, I'm stuck with my one skill that's highly valued until I can finish paying off my loans.

Yeah, this is a feeling I have as well. Unfortunately pretty much any professional career involves long hours in front of a screen these days.

Re: Ask HN: Have you ever thought of leaving programming for something else?

#59

In general, when those thoughts crossed my mind it was when I was working a job I should have left already. There are good companies that value developers and/or give them a reasonably good balanced work environment. Generally the two go hand in hand. For places that don't, frustrations and poor practices tend to push us into less fulfilling lifestyles. But if pressed... Corporate pilot comes to mind. I've spend I do…

I met a pilot recently with one of the best jobs I've ever heard of. His job is to deliver private jets, and once there, train their would-be pilots. So not only does he get to travel around the world, but also stay in these places for up to a month or more while training. And since there are pretty strict laws about how many hours he can fly in a given period, he has plenty of downtime to enjoy the places he's at.

Re: Ask HN: Have you ever thought of leaving programming for something else?

#60

A few years ago, I briefly considered going back to school, getting a degree in Exercise & Sports Science, and getting into athletic training. But in the end, I could never quite convince myself to do it, and the moment passed. I also flirted with the idea of becoming a private detective a couple of times in my life. I actually still find that idea somewhat interesting, but I doubt I'd ever make the money doing that,…

Private investigators with a good grasp of IT are very rare and white collar crimes, etc are rife. As for the training, much of it is common sense and not above the levels required to get a degree in any other field.

as for the training, much of it is common sense and not above the levels required to get a degree in any other field

Arguably true, but at my age, it's more effort than I'd be willing to put in at this point. Had I done it when I was younger, it might have been a good thing, but I think the time for that has passed.

Of course I could always move to a state that doesn't even require a license to be a PI. There are a couple of them out there.

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