Reddit IAMA. An ex Google programmer switched to a job in the lumbering industry

Post by thaumaturgy » Sun, May 09, 2010, 9:19 PM UTC

shushan wrote: post #37

thaumaturgy wrote: post #8

I have a story to share: I started programming computers when I was very young. Because of the skills I developed, and because of some connections I had, I got a very high paying job in the data processing department of the Livermore School District while I was still a junior in high school. (I was on independent study at the time.) I literally made more money than I knew what to do with, unfortunately. A couple of y…

The question is, couldn't the same be achieved by working on those goals part time (for a longer period ofcourse)? Is it really מecessary to drop everything? If so why?

Post by haasted » Sun, May 09, 2010, 9:26 PM UTC

Post by scott_s » Sun, May 09, 2010, 9:56 PM UTC

clistctrl wrote: post #15

I have this ambition to move into the middle of a forest some where. I'd love to spend my day tending to a garden, and maybe a few animals supporting myself. To live life the way it used to be. At night i'd hack on code again, or actually spend time with my girlfriend (maybe wife?). At least in that case if I worked 70 hours a week, I personally would receive the value from 70 hours of work. Right now I'm just gettin…

Post by exit » Sun, May 09, 2010, 10:34 PM UTC

stinkytaco wrote: post #29

thaumaturgy wrote: post #8

I have a story to share: I started programming computers when I was very young. Because of the skills I developed, and because of some connections I had, I got a very high paying job in the data processing department of the Livermore School District while I was still a junior in high school. (I was on independent study at the time.) I literally made more money than I knew what to do with, unfortunately. A couple of y…

That sounds good, but I worked hard enough to get a job in my field that pays me enough to live comfortably and have a good college savings plan for my daughter. What advice for those of us who did not have outstanding early success, good savings and obviously immense talent?

Post by staunch » Sun, May 09, 2010, 11:07 PM UTC

Raphael_Amiard wrote: post #39

staunch wrote: post #9

It sounds like this guy thinks his job at Google was as good as it gets. This is like a musician thinking their job at a marketing agency writing jingles is the best they can hope for. My feeling is he probably gave up too early on finding a way to integrate money making and his passion. Maybe this works best for him though.

No it sounds like this guy said to himself exactly "What the fuck am i doing here writing jingles ?" From the AMA : "Now I've moved into to the lumbering industry and this has to be the best choice I've ever made. I kind of think of my job as a paid workout and I get to hack on OSS in my free time; After all I do have a passion for software development and I'm deeply involved in various OSS communities."