I would want to become a researcher in a theoretical field such as applied math, physics or economics.
Ask HN: If you were to switch career, what would you do?
241–250 of 881 posts
Re: Ask HN: If you were to switch career, what would you do?
#242Woodworker. From running two small ecommerce companies I think I've learned enough about MVP, shipping, inventory management, etc. From 25 years as a software engineer I've learned about building tools to automate steps. I'd pick some "hard to find / expensive niche (e.g. Greene and Greene, Art Nouveau, etc.), but offer repeatable designs, not do custom work. That would allow for lots of jigs, fixtures, using cheap m…
I like this. I've been thinking about a lot about software to help improve workshop efficiency or to design interesting things.
Re: Ask HN: If you were to switch career, what would you do?
#243Something outside. Maybe work in a state park, doing tours and educating children about the outdoors. I have fond memories of going on field trips to state parks in elementary school.
I have fond memories of programming a "guess the number" game in basic as a kid.
Let's become a professional software developer!
Re: Ask HN: If you were to switch career, what would you do?
#244Woodworker. From running two small ecommerce companies I think I've learned enough about MVP, shipping, inventory management, etc. From 25 years as a software engineer I've learned about building tools to automate steps. I'd pick some "hard to find / expensive niche (e.g. Greene and Greene, Art Nouveau, etc.), but offer repeatable designs, not do custom work. That would allow for lots of jigs, fixtures, using cheap m…
I love this. My single regret about doing programming for a living is that I rarely have anything physical to show for my work at the end of the day. I've been looking at hobbies to pick up that involve making things with my hands. This is an innovative way to do both.
Re: Ask HN: If you were to switch career, what would you do?
#245I'd open a bookstore/cafe that sells tech and engineering books. We'd run tech classes in a space in the back, with a discount for vets and artists looking to change careers. I'd live in the apartment above the store, with a garden on the roof. The wifi would be phenomenal.
What is the point of owning tech books when a) much of the content is online and b) there are new developments in languages/frameworks all the time?
I find reading print much more enjoyable, but I have a hard time quantifying why.
Maybe a break from the eye strain of staring at screens? Nostalgia?
Also, the book form leads to a different way of engaging with information, even if its digital. When I look at technical books on Amazon, I always read the table of contents first. Gives an idea of topics covered and overall organization, and thus how the information is connected in the author's mind. That adds value over just Googling and following various links in a haphazard fashion to learn about a topic.
Re: Ask HN: If you were to switch career, what would you do?
#246It's interesting that the majority of these answers are professions that pay nowhere near what a software developer's salary would be. If the question were, "What other job would you like to do, if it paid at least as much as software development?" I could probably come up with some creative answers. But even though I'm not particularly driven by money, given that I have a family to support, mortgage to pay, etc., I…
Unless moving out of SF/NY is a deal breaker, it's not necessary to make $100k+ a year to have a solid middle class life. You won't be driving a BMW making $55k a year but you won't need to eat Ramen to make the mortgage payment either. Obviously kids make this harder and my perspective is certainly biased as my wife and I don't plan on children so our nut is much lower every month than our friends with kids in HS or…
> it's not necessary to make $100k+ a year to have a solid middle class life
Depends on your circumstances. 100k with one salary?
Re: Ask HN: If you were to switch career, what would you do?
#247Roast Coffee. Done.
Re: Ask HN: If you were to switch career, what would you do?
#248It's interesting that the majority of these answers are professions that pay nowhere near what a software developer's salary would be. If the question were, "What other job would you like to do, if it paid at least as much as software development?" I could probably come up with some creative answers. But even though I'm not particularly driven by money, given that I have a family to support, mortgage to pay, etc., I…
I'm an artist and a musician, and if I could do anything as a career, It would be in the arts. Unfortunately, it's difficult to put food on the table as an artist or a musician. As a musician, there's gigs and tours all the time, and probably a move to LA or Austin - not a very family friendly lifestyle, assuming I'm even good enough to find some success.
Re: Ask HN: If you were to switch career, what would you do?
#249When I leave my current job I'm going to apply for an adult course on wood working. I love to build things, and wood is the most available and easy to work with material (compared to plastic, rock or metal). And seriously, I bought a saw, a hammer, a screwdriver last year, it got me crazy. Same as having a unix terminal and an Internet connexion.
I also think it seems pretty appealing. There have been some interesting things on HN over the years about it. I loved this talk about how the tools you use determine how you look at problems (Tim Ewald - Clojure: Programming with Hand Tools) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ShEez0JkOFw And if you haven't seen him before, you're about to fall in love with Matthias Wandel: https://www.youtube.com/user/Matthiaswandel/vi…
Cool ! It is true that I haven't looked online to learn wood-working related stuff. I'll look into it
Re: Ask HN: If you were to switch career, what would you do?
#250A cat nanny.