No, but I increasingly feel like becoming a farmer or just work picking fruit or something like that. I would like something different... maybe tourism, wine production... literally just anything but computers and especially code.
Ask HN: Has anyone started over outside of tech?
91–100 of 463 posts
Re: Ask HN: Has anyone started over outside of tech?
#92I used to work at web hosts and such.
Re: Ask HN: Has anyone started over outside of tech?
#93yep my wife and I. we retired from tech ( startups) at 50. In order to keep out minds working AND make a buck we decided to both trade options. Luckily for us we have chums who own a trading environment that teaches people, like us, how to do this effectively and so we set off on our adventure. Very quickly into this I decided to code up a trading analysis dashboard which gave us guidance as to the REALITY of our app…
Do you frequent any online communities of professionals, or is it just you, your spouse, and your mentors?
Beyond wanting to learn alternative approaches myself, I help moderate a local trading group. We are always looking for presenters in our monthly meetings.
Re: Ask HN: Has anyone started over outside of tech?
#94yep my wife and I. we retired from tech ( startups) at 50. In order to keep out minds working AND make a buck we decided to both trade options. Luckily for us we have chums who own a trading environment that teaches people, like us, how to do this effectively and so we set off on our adventure. Very quickly into this I decided to code up a trading analysis dashboard which gave us guidance as to the REALITY of our app…
Re: Ask HN: Has anyone started over outside of tech?
#95I used to work as a compiler engineer in the US for several years, before deciding to try starting over at the age of 30, in pure mathematics. I moved from the US to Paris in pursuit of an affordable mathematics education, and spent two years in a Masters program. I did have a considerable amount of savings, but it was very risky nevertheless: if it didn't work out, I'd be out-of-touch with compilers, and it would be…
Re: Ask HN: Has anyone started over outside of tech?
#96You could try something like a PM/BA role, orientated more around the user and stakeholder management. It's less tech focused and more time communicating with others but probably equally stressful.
I have a friend that bought a coffee shop in a midsize affluent town. Long days, always something going wrong beit staff sickness, stock shortage or maintenance. Kept it up for about 5 years, sold it on and went back into sales.
Re: Ask HN: Has anyone started over outside of tech?
#97Earlier quoted context omitted.
I really want to move into teaching. I learned to love programming in HS AP CS and am really considering making the move. I would love to hear more about your experience switching.
Take a day off of work and substitute teacher. Depending on the district you end up in, it's not for the feint of heart.
Re: Ask HN: Has anyone started over outside of tech?
#98You can learn programming and get a lucrative career without a CS degree. Are there other fields where that is possible?
Re: Ask HN: Has anyone started over outside of tech?
#99I’ve stayed tech-adjacent the whole time though. So, despite some very exciting times and decent compensation, I’ve always wondered what might have happened if I flipped back to tech or even jumped way outside the world of regular business entirely.
In any case, I can’t say I regret the change. I made it for the right choices. As you work your way through this decision, think about where you want to be in 20-30 years. Really try to see the day to day life you are living. What gets you excited in that future state? If you can see that, then go explore it.
From what you’ve said it sounds like you have a great opportunity to explore something new. Just remember that sometimes there’s no road back… and that’s 100% ok.
Re: Ask HN: Has anyone started over outside of tech?
#100Earlier quoted context omitted.
I would guess the one big difference is respect. For some reason, there is no respect for tech workers.
What do you mean by that? Admittedly, I'm not in the US, but it seems to me that tech work is a very respected profession. Especially compared to service work. The notion that someone would leave the tech world for a job in the service industry because it comes with more respect is absolutely wild to me. That's so far away from my personal experience I honestly can't fit it into my mental model of the world. Maybe I'…
There are definitely tourist-heavy parts of the US where this is absolutely true.