Ask HN: I need career advice to get out of tech

I have a lot of skills...without going into a Napoleon Dynamite quote or listing them all off, just assume that I can do almost anything in tech (architecture, marketing/branding, design, business, project leadership, team leadership, support, some dev, etc but not so much on finance, etc.). I have a lot of philanthropic experience using my skills to help people outside of tech. I'm persistent, intelligent, sociable and extremely hard-working.

I'm more interested in something where I can start my own business and invest time changing people's lives. I'd love to do anything where I can create a lasting legacy. It doesn't have to touch everyone, but the more the better.

Let's say I have minimum investment capital at under $10k but unlimited time, skills and connections to help me out. I'd like to be able to support a family and grow whatever I work on. Obviously because of the type of work that I want to do, I will be willing to accept a lower pay (at least initially) than typical tech.

What are some ideas that you can think of to work on? Anything is fine...I'd love for a brainstorming session or to hear if you or someone you know has had this mid-life crisis and how'd it turn out?

I'm sure there is still office politics, but the altruistic mission generally keeps it down, as opposed to the pure-profit motive of corporations.

Firstly a word of warning - as the user akg_67 has said, there is no escape from the workplace politics. My girlfriend works in non-profits and currently works at one that is trying to clean up supply chains in manufacturing outsourcing countries. A commendable initiative, I think, but her workplace is still full of the same petty stupid games as anywhere else. Her previous one was about teaching girls skills and leadership, but you guessed it, there too she was part of the same crap you're trying to escape.

But if you can overlook that, and want to work for a worthy cause, you will need to network and meet other people who already work in this field. You will need to surround yourself with those people and get into that.

Here's what I would recommend for that, something I am doing myself. Join an org like ImpactHub (there are some in cities all around the world). It's a nice co-working space but also exists to foster sustainable enterprise and bring the community together of social entrepreneurs. They typically try to find connections when you join based on your interests.

Speaking of interests, figure out what you're actually passionate about and what you care about. If you really want to get out and do something worthwhile, then figure out what you consider worthwhile.

Is it the environment? Privacy? Education? Fighting corruption?

Whatever your cause, if you narrow down what you are passionate about perhaps it would be easier to find orgs or people that are like-minded and that share in those causes.

I would recommend settling in at your current job and use that to fund your future startup and support your family. If you're working toward your own thing you won't be as worried about promotions, climbing the ladder and office BS.

Don't advertise to others this is what you're doing. And check your employment contract and make sure you would own the IP of anything you do outside of work/work hours/work equipment.

To start I would work on something small to start building revenue that would eventually replace your day job. Work on something changing people's lives as something you can work on ideas for along the way and start once you have something in place supporting your family allowing you to leave your day job.

It's still hard, so test out and see what you can do working on things part time, building up small wins and increasing your side project revenue, getting more and more focussed on getting to the level where you can leave your day job.

startupsfortherestofus.com is a great podcast, go the archive and listen to all the episodes in order.

This is my favorite talk to get/stay inspired, @DHH at startup school 2008. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0CDXJ6bMkMY