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Ask HN: Has anyone started over outside of tech?

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Re: Ask HN: Has anyone started over outside of tech?

#271

Post by bombcar »

sigspec wrote: post #251
pungentcomment wrote: post #42

I did this 15-20 years ago. I had a small internet/consulting business that I ran out of my house, with a full T1 mind you lol. Got tired of staring at the walls and tired of the f'king servers that chained me down. An error message from a server while in the car going on a small vacation triggered the change. I had enough. So on the spot I thought of my options and decided on becoming a trucker. My first aim was to…

This is my dream. Tell me more. Did you take classes? What was the investment. I feel chained to this desk.

Check your local community college - they may have a CDL course, probably $5-10k.

That way you can ease into it, the other option is to go for one of those "we pay to train" places, but that involves more upfront commitment.

Re: Ask HN: Has anyone started over outside of tech?

#272

Post by inoffensivename »

pyth0 wrote: post #180
inoffensivename wrote: post #169

I'm on a hiatus from tech after nearly 20 years at a FAANG, I'm now an airline pilot. The money sucks and the hours are long, but somehow the simplicity of the mission (go from A to B, don't bend any metal) appeals to me. Being able to switch the phone off after work, not having to worry about stupid office politics, planning, or performance reviews is quite liberating. The view from my office desk is unbeatable! I'm…

> not having to worry about stupid office politics, planning, or performance reviews You don't have performance reviews as a pilot? Maybe that should concern me next time I'm flying

We have line checks, but if you're doing your job according to standard operating procedures, it's just like flying any other leg. Not something to lose any sleep over.

I used to dread every performance review in tech.

Re: Ask HN: Has anyone started over outside of tech?

#273

Post by inoffensivename »

adamsmith143 wrote: post #204
inoffensivename wrote: post #169

I'm on a hiatus from tech after nearly 20 years at a FAANG, I'm now an airline pilot. The money sucks and the hours are long, but somehow the simplicity of the mission (go from A to B, don't bend any metal) appeals to me. Being able to switch the phone off after work, not having to worry about stupid office politics, planning, or performance reviews is quite liberating. The view from my office desk is unbeatable! I'm…

>The money sucks Is this true? I thought Major Airline Pilots could make upwards of $200k per year. Or are you doing something smaller scale?

You start off low, it takes a few years to start making that kind of money. In terms of dollars made per effort expended, I think it's quite an easy job.

Re: Ask HN: Has anyone started over outside of tech?

#274

Post by bombcar »

MrBuddyCasino wrote: post #186
OccamsMirror wrote: post #179

Earlier quoted context omitted.

That brother's name? Albert Einstein.

This is not uncommon in the more blue-collar businesses. Many boomers now retire, and they often can't find a suitable successor. Most ambitious young people are being led down a different path via university, so there is a real unmet need in less glorious, but nevertheless still profitable fields. Btw he wasn't gifted the company, he had to buy it from the owners of course - still a good deal.

If you get to know small business owners in these areas, you find that a large number of them have NOBODY to take over the business, for love OR money.

Being a competent employee and you'd be surprised what can happen.

Re: Ask HN: Has anyone started over outside of tech?

#275

Post by ewhanley »

sleton38234234 wrote: post #270
ewhanley wrote: post #239

Earlier quoted context omitted.

This sounds like a total win. You studied what you wanted, didn't completely wipe out your finances, and successfully re-opened a door you thought may have been permanently closed. I view self actualization as a far more important component of a life well-lived than your savings balance.

but he's back to where he started in the beginning. I didn't sound like there was any more self actualization, after he went back.

Right, but these sort of narratives are rarely linear. In either case they would have been working compilers. At least in this version of events, they got to take a shot at a passion. They could also try again and have a roadmap and the courage to take a leap like that.

Re: Ask HN: Has anyone started over outside of tech?

#276

Post by whilestanding »

I was an early boot camper around 2012, taught myself the basics of web dev and did some contracting for about a year. I had some job offers but I didn’t feel right about the people and just the whole industry, so I moved back to the Midwest and ended up working in a factory. I’ve kept up with HN the whole time. I work very hard and my base wage isn’t that impressive but I can make 6 figures if I put the overtime in. It’s a tough but honorable way to make a living and I’m stronger mentally and physically that I ever would be in any sort of office environment. When I come home I’m totally guilt and worry free, I’ve done my part and earned my relaxation time. I plan on staying busy physically until 55 and making as much as I can. After that I’d like to consider doing something less physically demanding. My choice has its trade offs but I’m doing better every year and IT seems to constantly boom bust so I feel pretty confident in my choice.

Re: Ask HN: Has anyone started over outside of tech?

#277

Post by bombcar »

adamsmith143 wrote: post #204
inoffensivename wrote: post #169

I'm on a hiatus from tech after nearly 20 years at a FAANG, I'm now an airline pilot. The money sucks and the hours are long, but somehow the simplicity of the mission (go from A to B, don't bend any metal) appeals to me. Being able to switch the phone off after work, not having to worry about stupid office politics, planning, or performance reviews is quite liberating. The view from my office desk is unbeatable! I'm…

>The money sucks Is this true? I thought Major Airline Pilots could make upwards of $200k per year. Or are you doing something smaller scale?

It's like acting, there are actors and actresses that make millions, but there are so many people who WANT to do it that you have to eat shit for years to even get a chance at the top of the line.

But if you're willing to make $40k-60k you can start out at a small commuter line in a few months, and slowly work your way up from there.

Re: Ask HN: Has anyone started over outside of tech?

#278

Post by resource0x »

artagnon wrote: post #66

I 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…

"If you don’t have [nice things], they can mean a great deal to you. When you do have them, they mean nothing.

To me, the unhappiest people in the world are those in the watering places, the international watering places, the south coast of France and Newport and Palm Springs and Palm Beach. Going to parties every night, playing golf every afternoon, then bridge. Drinking too much, talking too much, thinking too little. Retired. No purpose.

I know there are those who would totally disagree and say, ‘If I could just be a millionaire, that would be the most wonderful thing. If I could just not have to work every day. If I could be out fishing or hunting or playing golf or traveling, that would be the most wonderful life in the world.’

They don’t know life. Because what makes life mean something is purpose. A goal. The battle. The struggle. Even if you don’t win it."

-- Richard Nixon

Re: Ask HN: Has anyone started over outside of tech?

#279

Post by sleton38234234 »

jollofricepeas wrote: post #154
shigawire wrote: post #138

Earlier quoted context omitted.

>why would you just accumulate savings without using them for living an interesting life? Having kids. Not that you have to do this with kids, but it is a reason

I don’t understand Americans POV on this subject. Other than providing tutors and making sure their children are in the best secondary schools, I don’t understand the American obsession with paying for college. The best way to prepare your child is to let them experience reality not coddle them. - A luxury university diploma will not guarantee a good job - There are other educational opportunities besides an expensiv…

i think it has to do with the vast oversupply of labor (at least for white collar jobs). employers generally pick people with degrees of people without because there's just too many candidates.

Re: Ask HN: Has anyone started over outside of tech?

#280

Post by Spare_account »

staticman2 wrote: post #265
jollofricepeas wrote: post #154

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I don’t understand Americans POV on this subject. Other than providing tutors and making sure their children are in the best secondary schools, I don’t understand the American obsession with paying for college. The best way to prepare your child is to let them experience reality not coddle them. - A luxury university diploma will not guarantee a good job - There are other educational opportunities besides an expensiv…

I don't know what you think a "luxury" university is- even government run colleges in the U.S. can be expensive. A local 4 year degree at my city's state run university is around 18,000 to 22,000 per year for tuition. And that's without room and board. In comparison a private liberal arts school near me is $65,652 per year for tuition alone. To me the state option is still pretty darn expensive especially if you are…

Does the money for the college fees have to come from cash? University fees (in the UK) can be paid for by a student loan which is paid off once the student starts working. Parents don't have to pay for it
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