Ask HN: If you were to switch career, what would you do? • Hacker News Board

Re: Ask HN: If you were to switch career, what would you do?

#341

Post by personlurking » Fri, Jan 06, 2017, 4:31 PM UTC

thatmiddleway wrote: post #161

misiti3780 wrote: post #137

I would be a modern day philosopher/thinker (like Taleb, Dawkins, Harris). I would start with the classics and read everything, learn ancient Greek, Aramaic, as well as Italian, French and German (maybe Russian also, who knows) I would study the first proof in mathematics all the way up through modern probability theory. I would throw away my cell phone and do all of this work from a nice modern loft in the Trastever…

I agree, "the unexamined life is not worth living." We should start a club for expats that all want to do this.

In a sense, I do this. I work/earn 10% of what I could, and spend 90% of my time studying all the things I want, moving around different countries. On one hand it's very nice but on the other, earning little gets tiresome (especially now in my 30s). My 2017 is for reversing the percentage.

Re: Ask HN: If you were to switch career, what would you do?

#342

Post by Shoop » Fri, Jan 06, 2017, 4:32 PM UTC

criveros wrote: post #311

Jackim wrote: post #134

Earlier quoted context omitted.

There's a lot of variety in electronic music. Lots of the popular stuff isn't great in my opinion but I find it hard to believe that you wouldn't like any of it.

I am aware of the variety of electronic music genres and artists. I still believe electronic music is the lowest tier. I consider top 40 to be better than most electronic music. I did go through an electronic music phase for a while, and I find that to really enjoy it, you must be high.

I don't want to bring the discussion off topic, but I find that hard to believe. Some good electronic artists that I enjoy are Aphex Twin, Boards of Canada, Burial, and The Avalanches. I agree that there is a lot of crappy electronic music on the internet but I think that's true of any genre. Why do you think its the lowest tier?

Re: Ask HN: If you were to switch career, what would you do?

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Post by tonyedgecombe » Fri, Jan 06, 2017, 4:32 PM UTC

JDiculous wrote: post #299

Entrepreneurship. It's a lot of upfront work, but you've got the ultimate upside in terms of money, control over one's lifestyle, impact, and fulfillment. But more realistically, I'd probably pursue product management because it seems interesting and isn't hard to transition into as a developer. If I didn't have to worry about money, then I'd be trying to make the world a better place, doing things like spreading awa…

I've been running my own business for 19 years now, financially I would probably have been better off with a job.

Re: Ask HN: If you were to switch career, what would you do?

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Post by mindcrime » Fri, Jan 06, 2017, 4:33 PM UTC

Good question. At one time I considered going back to school and getting a degree in Exercise and Sports Science and doing something related to athletic training. And I wrestled in high-school and have always thought I might one day want to do something with coaching wrestlers or something. So maybe some combination of that stuff.

I also spent a lot of time in my life as a volunteer firefighter and was an instructor with qualifications to teach Firefighter I & II certification classes, as well as Incident Command and LP Gas Firefighting. I love that world, especially the teaching part. So something related to teaching and emergency services could be appealing. The problem is, there's not a lot of money to be made doing that stuff, except at the higher levels.

Re: Ask HN: If you were to switch career, what would you do?

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Post by jmcgough » Fri, Jan 06, 2017, 4:33 PM UTC

jmsduran wrote: post #304

I would go into finance, maybe as a CFA or some sort of investment/financial analyst. If I could go back in time and restructure my career aspirations as a teenager, I would pursue a career as a medical doctor (possibly specializing in cardiology or clinical pathology). I don't know if this is normal, but I feel burnt out after working 6 years in the tech industry. So much so, that in my spare time I occupy myself wi…

Same here - I'm actually studying to take the first actuarial exam. Not sure if it's something I want to seriously pursue, but it's fun learning the math.

Re: Ask HN: If you were to switch career, what would you do?

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Post by gravypod » Fri, Jan 06, 2017, 4:33 PM UTC

hunterjrj wrote: post #295

gravypod wrote: post #11

Welder. It's everything that makes a skill desirable to learn. Very easy to start, impossible to master. Pays reasonably well too if you can find work. Also most welders are people who don't put up with much BS so it's refreshing coming from pretty much any other field.

There was a study done recently linking airborne manganese (below federal occupational safety levels) and neurological symptoms similar to Parkinson's disease. https://www.chemistryworld.com/news/manganese-exposure-puts-...

There are far worse conditions that arise from welding (and more so from welding incorrectly) that Parkinson's is the least of your worry. Even then, "so what" comes to mind. If you love doing it the fear of death shouldn't stop you. A youtuber I love once said "Has anyone ever noticed how there aren't any old welders? (cynical chuckle)". He's right but people still do it.

You can also, in some cases, avoid using manganese based fluxes. There are quite common rods without the presense of manganese.

Re: Ask HN: If you were to switch career, what would you do?

#347

Post by grenoire » Fri, Jan 06, 2017, 4:33 PM UTC

fsargent wrote: post #318

I'd be an economics teacher. I'd love to teach High School and/or College economics. Since this is my own fantasy land, I'd be able to set my own curriculum. 1. Why do we work? (Jobs, Businesses, and the individual economy) 2. What is wealth, and how do I get it? (Saving, investment, real estate) 3. Is it supposed to be like this? (Capitalism, Government, modern political economy) 4. Systems Design (If you want to ch…

Higher education in economics quickly ramps up to using actual mathematics. Your curriculum is more in line with high school or International Baccalaureate styled diplomas, with a focus on the "old" philosophical economics.

Re: Ask HN: If you were to switch career, what would you do?

#348

Post by mrexroad » Fri, Jan 06, 2017, 4:34 PM UTC

mauvehaus wrote: post #270

Interesting timing. I'm quitting my development job at the end of the month and going back to school full-time to become a furniture maker. I have a lot of reasons for wanting to do this. The most straightforward ones are that I want to create something tangible and enduring with my time.

I've always wanted to do the same.

What type of schooling? Industrial design or something more materials / mechanical?

Re: Ask HN: If you were to switch career, what would you do?

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Post by Raphmedia » Fri, Jan 06, 2017, 4:34 PM UTC

a1studmuffin wrote: post #68

tomtompl wrote: post #57

Car mechanic / electronic

Yeah I second this. I could diagnose a PC problem, pull it apart, swap hardware out, put it back together again without a second thought. But something goes wrong with my car and I'm all like "car's broken, better call the mechanic". Can anyone recommend a beginner's guide to mechanics? I feel like even some basic knowledge would go a long way.

You could always play "Car Mechanic Simulator 2015". Not 100% accurate but it does teach a lot if you come in with no knowledge whatsoever.

Re: Ask HN: If you were to switch career, what would you do?

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Post by mkrajnak » Fri, Jan 06, 2017, 4:34 PM UTC

Rocket scientist. My brother is a propulsion system engineer working at ULA, over the years he's been on the Delta III, Atlas V, and now Vulcan. We compare jobs all the time, both have lots of politics and stress, but he wins hands down on sheer awesomeness.