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

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

#401

Post by jotux »

FigBug wrote: post #56

I'd buy a sailboat and take people on tours in Greece. Except I hate people, which is why I work in tech.

>Except I hate people, which is why I work in tech.

I once met an older guy who was a software developer and asked him how he got into the field. He said that he'd originally received a doctorate in psychology and was a psychiatrist for years before he realized that most people don't want to be fixed. He said he'd got into programming because, "Computers always want to be fixed."

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

#402

Post by coldpie »

lloyd-christmas wrote: post #330
bungie4 wrote: post #277

Earlier quoted context omitted.

This is funny, I came into programming from being a high end cabinet maker. I had to give it up because I'm allergic to the components that make up the 'smell' of red oak. Which we worked with a lot. Theirs a real satisfaction in looking at a your work at the end of the day and being able to SEE it.

I've always whittled as a fun side hobby. My desire to do anything bigger is limited by a fear of the table saw. As a lefty, nothing in the shop plays nice with me. I'm too worried about losing a finger which would impact my income stream as well as my other hobby, piano. But, I still spend more time looking at joinery than I do on HN.

Consider hand tools. It's a bit more labor, but if you're not building for profit anyway, you may enjoy it more. I have some thoughts on this on my blog, see my profile.

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

#403

Post by clueless123 »

RUG3Y wrote: post #265
clueless123 wrote: post #125

Relief bush pilot on the Amazon jungle... Today, there is so much need for transportation of Doctors/Teachers/Helpers within villages in the Jungle. Unfortunately most of the obstacles to achieving this are purely political/Bureaucratic.

There are several Christian groups that do this. They deliver missionaries into isolated areas but they also bring supplies, doctors, etc. I know some people who are involved and it's pretty cool.

Yes.. a few years ago one got shot down by an "overeager" drug patrol interested in cashing the $$ reward the DEA puts on such planes. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2001_Peru_shootdown

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

#404

Post by beachstartup »

robinhood wrote: post #108

If I were to quit technology, I would try to find something that keeps me as far away of a screen as possible. For instance, quitting the tech world to become, say, an accountant, where I would still looking at a screen all day long, seems useless to me. This would therefore probably be a profession where I either see a lot of people (doctor?) or use my hands (carpenter).

doctors stare at screens all day now also.

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

#406

Post by mattdotc »

alex_hitchins wrote: post #375
thebspatrol wrote: post #332

Earlier quoted context omitted.

This reminds me of Matthias Wandel. He's really one of the most impressive woodworkers I've ever seen. It's so clear to me that he still thinks like a software engineer.

I was going to make the same comment. I believe he worked as a developer for RIM (Blackberry). I would urge all to check him out on YouTube. Entertaining and you will likely learn something new.

My only regret about getting into his channel is that now I have seen all of his videos and I have to wait 7 days for each new one.

His channel is great for more than just its content; it's also inspirational. My father has been a hobbyist woodworker and he has a small basement shop. Growing up I would frequently be down there with him 'helping' here and there, but never really built much of anything on my own besides a few small projects.

Watching Matthias' videos rekindled my interest in the hobby and I even picked up some new tricks along the way. It has also been great to get back into the shop with my dad and spend real quality time with him.

Matthias, if you ever read this: thanks!!!

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

#408

Post by RUG3Y »

clueless123 wrote: post #403
RUG3Y wrote: post #265

Earlier quoted context omitted.

There are several Christian groups that do this. They deliver missionaries into isolated areas but they also bring supplies, doctors, etc. I know some people who are involved and it's pretty cool.

Yes.. a few years ago one got shot down by an "overeager" drug patrol interested in cashing the $$ reward the DEA puts on such planes. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2001_Peru_shootdown

Interesting story, sad.

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

#410

Post by jdc0589 »

CIPHERSTONE wrote: post #314

Would like to be a back country forest ranger. Someone who does work out in the remote woods. Not one of the rangers that has to deep with the public. The problem like most of us have is that our position and tenure in IT has lead to salaries that make such a change (and reduction in pay) almost impossible. Add kids, etc. and it gets set permanently in the dream category. I know the logical response to this statement…

The bit about salary is huge. I do a moderately good job of keeping my needs/lifestyle pretty basic (I could do better). In the back of my mind, I'm always telling myself "you aren't saving to retire from work early. you are saving so you can retire to a different career early".
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