I quit my 100k a year job to learn programming from scratch. Ask me anything.

Hi, I'm a novice in your field. I've read about your field in the popular media, and have romantic notions about becoming extremely successful in your field, even though I have 8 years less experience than even a recent graduate. Let me tell you some cliche ideas I've summarized from reading blogs, even though you probably have decades or more experience than I do. Ok, now go ahead and ask me ANYTHING. Anything at all!

Re: I quit my 100k a year job to learn programming from scratch. Ask me anything.

#7

Post by fttechfounder » Wed, Jun 29, 2011, 5:57 PM UTC

[deleted] wrote: post #5

[deleted]

This answer is in response to a question about why I left my job. The question was deleted before I posted my reply below:

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It came down to asking myself these questions:

* Jeff Bezo's Regret Minimization Framework

Q: What will I regret when I'm 80 years old? What am I going to regret more: taking a shot at a dream and failing, or never having taken a shot at all? (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jwG_qR6XmDQ)

A: Taking a shot and failing.

* Future Utility Framework

Q: What's the realistic best case scenario end game? I.e. If I look at someone who's 15 years ahead of my in the same career path and has done a good job of getting promoted, recognized and rewarded, am I happy doing what he's doing in 15 years?

A: No.

* Money and risk

Q: I'm 25 with 3 years of work experience at a major international bank, what's going to happen if I screw this up and waste 3 years of my life?

A: I'll get a job at 28. I'll probably make less money, but 3 years of work experience isn't too bad.

Q: What if you never get such a sweet job? USD 100k is a lot of money for a 25 year old!

A: I don't have kids, I don't have a mortgage, I don't have debts and I do have a enough savings to tide me over for a few years. It means that I won't live with the same degree of financial freedom (e.g. watching my spending, going on fewer holidays, eating out less, etc.) but it's a price I'm prepared to pay.

For most people, the last few questions are going to be the most important. Being relatively young, not having liabilities and instead having savings definitely makes leaving your job easier.

Re: I quit my 100k a year job to learn programming from scratch. Ask me anything.

#8

Post by fttechfounder » Wed, Jun 29, 2011, 6:12 PM UTC

theblueadept111 wrote: post #6

Hi, I'm a novice in your field. I've read about your field in the popular media, and have romantic notions about becoming extremely successful in your field, even though I have 8 years less experience than even a recent graduate. Let me tell you some cliche ideas I've summarized from reading blogs, even though you probably have decades or more experience than I do. Ok, now go ahead and ask me ANYTHING. Anything at al…

Haha, you never know what kind of response you'll get by putting something on the internet!

Asking me about computer programming is going to be pretty silly. But if you're thinking about learning to code and want to understand what it's like to learn a new skill, I can probably share some insights.

Re: I quit my 100k a year job to learn programming from scratch. Ask me anything.

#9

Post by ttran08 » Wed, Jun 29, 2011, 6:37 PM UTC

How long have you been learning to code and how far along are you? I'm seriously considering learning to code myself.

Re: I quit my 100k a year job to learn programming from scratch. Ask me anything.

#10

Post by GraffitiTim » Wed, Jun 29, 2011, 11:42 PM UTC

aristus wrote: post #2

What if I don't have a Twitter account?

We're planning on adding at least Facebook as a login alternative (with minimal permissions). Maybe other methods in the future as well.