Ask HN: How can I move away from engineering? • Hacker News Board

Re: Ask HN: How can I move away from engineering?

#11

Post by zoobab » Wed, May 19, 2021, 5:40 PM UTC

nomy99 wrote: post #7

Demonsult wrote: post #6

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Closed-source software for aerospace and industrial.

That's a very specific market, and I suppose your 25 years of experience in the field helps you market it. I don't think I can sell anything (other than my skills), which I don't want to do anymore.

"I don't think I can sell anything (other than my skills)"

That's my problem, I don't want to sell my time, I want to sell a product/service, but do not sell my time as a consultant.

Re: Ask HN: How can I move away from engineering?

#12

Post by hollander » Wed, May 19, 2021, 5:41 PM UTC

You give us very little information. Why do you want to change? What are you doing right now? What are your interests? What hobbies do you have? What directions are you thinking of?

I did move away from IT after a burnout. I did volunteer work during that time, and since a while I'm working there. It's not IT related, but of course I'm the IT guy there now. No problem btw. It's a small part of the job and I like doing it.

Was it worth it? I don't know, it's too early to tell. I'm considering going back to IT, but in another role, one with more human interaction.

Re: Ask HN: How can I move away from engineering?

#13

Post by intellectronica » Wed, May 19, 2021, 6:06 PM UTC

Are you already working or can get a job at a large/growing company? Such companies have a need to fill very specific roles that are adjacent to engineering (for example: project/program manager, people/business manager, architect, writer, etc) and often make it easy for strong performers to make a lateral move. The advantage is the you can gain experience and refocus your career without having to start from scratch.

Re: Ask HN: How can I move away from engineering?

#14

Post by giantg2 » Wed, May 19, 2021, 6:10 PM UTC

I'm in the same boat as you (9 years in). I hate my job.

I am basically just trying to suck it up until I can "retire" in 19 years, or get fired. Moving to a different role in the same company can help temporarily.

Re: Ask HN: How can I move away from engineering?

#15

Post by r0b05 » Wed, May 19, 2021, 7:13 PM UTC

To be honest I think about moving to psychology/counselling but the irony is that it's so difficult to get into and the pay isn't as good even though one is helping people. I'm stuck in dev until I can figure another way out, apart from the sales/management route.

Re: Ask HN: How can I move away from engineering?

#16

Post by cauliflower2718 » Wed, May 19, 2021, 7:25 PM UTC

I'm going through a switch to (hopefully) research. I left my job and started a PhD. I'm not sure I'd recommend it, as it depends on what you're looking for; it's a sharp pay cut during the PhD, and not necessarily with more pay afterwards.

Re: Ask HN: How can I move away from engineering?

#17

Post by fillskills » Wed, May 19, 2021, 7:29 PM UTC

Switched a couple of times. Its hard, initially. Switching fields feels like pulling tooth and and learning how to ride a bike at the same time. Good news is that its over before you know it. It helps if you can believe in your ability to get through the first few months. Definitely talk to someone who has made a similar switch. Just to prepare yourself mentally more than anything else. If you could share which field you are going to, maybe I can connect you with someone who went through the same journey.

Re: Ask HN: How can I move away from engineering?

#18

Post by fatnoah » Wed, May 19, 2021, 7:50 PM UTC

What kind of Engineering do you do? Depending on your degree, a legal career might be possible.

When I'd started college a long time ago, I couldn't decide between Computer Science or pursuing a legal career. I went with CS, I didn't love the CS program, so I switched to Electrical Engineering and eventually got my masters.

As it turns out, I ended up in a software career, but about 5 years in, I wondered about the road not taken, so I looked at what it would take to get into a legal career. Many law firms hire Engineers to do patent work and will pay your salary AND pay for you to attend law school, so I applied for roles and got one at a big law firm. I ended up not pursuing it all the way for personal reasons, but it was definitely a possible path to switch from Engineering.

Re: Ask HN: How can I move away from engineering?

#19

Post by peterst28 » Wed, May 19, 2021, 7:50 PM UTC

There's plenty you can do, but you have to figure out what appeals to you, the tradeoffs, path, etc. I found that the book "Designing your life" really helped me. It encourages talking to people who are already in different fields / roles that interest you. When I did this, sometimes I found myself saying, "yes that sounds amazing." Other times I found myself saying, "ugh that's not what I thought it was at all." Eventually I decided that the best move for me was to sales engineering. It's engineering-adjacent so I can make use of my years of experience, but it's people-oriented and has tons of variety. You'll probably have a different final answer, but I highly recommend the techniques in the book. You may even find yourself a job you're excited about through the process of talking to people about what they do. https://www.amazon.com/Designing-Your-Life-Well-Lived-Joyful...

Re: Ask HN: How can I move away from engineering?

#20

Post by MattPalmer1086 » Wed, May 19, 2021, 8:15 PM UTC

I did a master's degree in a subject that really interested me (info security). I was very lucky; my employer helped pay for the course, and didn't have to pay them back as long as I didn't leave for three years afterwards. Then I did a succession of contracts to gain wider experience.

Took a long time I guess to fully transition over, but was totally worth it as far as I'm concerned, and I was learning and growing over the whole period. Probably could have done it faster, but wasn't an issue for me.

The main thing I think is to figure out what really interests you or what kind of change you want in your work.