What about doing the physical end of IT/development? Prior to actually getting my first job on the software side of things I did the low voltage wiring for networks and related systems in commercial construction. I have installed several million linear feet of Cat5e, Cat6, RG-11, RG-6, and so on. It's definitely a differerent experience than most have.
Ask HN: How did you move from IT/software to something unrelated?
11–20 of 185 posts
Re: Ask HN: How did you move from IT/software to something unrelated?
#12Maybe teach English in Asia or drive an Uber? Or go to trade school to become an electrician or mechanic? Those are the escape routes I daydream about when I'm unhappy at work, anyways :)
No Uber in Vancouver, unfortunately. It's one of the very few cities in North America without Uber and Lyft.
Re: Ask HN: How did you move from IT/software to something unrelated?
#13You can do front end developer contract gigs on one of the freelancer sites. You won't make a ton but you can make 2 or 3 times minimum wage (based on Vancouver minimum wage) without trying very hard. You can make a good bit more than that if you get good at contracting. Plus contracting lets you build skills you won't get working as an employee.
Work 4 months out of the year full time, or 10-15 hours a week year round and you'll make as much as you would working at McDonald's. Spend the rest of your time learning whatever you want.
Re: Ask HN: How did you move from IT/software to something unrelated?
#14Have you ever tried sales? It should be fairly easy to get a sales job at any retail store near where you live. Spend a year or two getting good at it, then get hired as a technical sales engineer. Sales is a versatile skill and somebody with both sales chops and programming skills is hard to come by.
This. I've been a passionate side project software developer yet the job I've had for the past few years that paid the bills well and let me work remotely has been a mix of apps engineer / sales / marketing. Instead of working retail I'd look into b2b software companies and hardware (e.g. Micro-controller/fpga/dsp) companies
Re: Ask HN: How did you move from IT/software to something unrelated?
#15Have you ever tried sales? It should be fairly easy to get a sales job at any retail store near where you live. Spend a year or two getting good at it, then get hired as a technical sales engineer. Sales is a versatile skill and somebody with both sales chops and programming skills is hard to come by.
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Re: Ask HN: How did you move from IT/software to something unrelated?
#16Well... I hired a producer, wrote 10 songs, hired a director, filmed 3 music videos and worked harder than I had at any software startup in my life (platform/devops) trying to make it work. Serious long shot, but it's been a ton of fun!
Edit: my last video won "Music Video of the Year" at the Oxford International Film Festival. So here's hoping!
Re: Ask HN: How did you move from IT/software to something unrelated?
#17Have you considered going back to school to get a degree in something else that could land you a better job?
+1 to this. I got bored with IT/software, went back to school, got an aerospace engineering degree, had a very satisfying 4+ years in it, then a software job came my way that was too good to turn down. Quite a commitment of time and money but for me it was all very much worth it.
Did you work part-time while going back?
Re: Ask HN: How did you move from IT/software to something unrelated?
#18My webdev business has financed a side business in life coaching. Right now it's by referral only and I'm taking it slow, but it's been a nice source of extra income and variety, one where I know I'm making a very direct contribution to others' lives. I have had to pay for multiple certifications and the associated education, and this actually convinced me to pursue web development certification, ongoing education, and memberships in professional societies.
Re: Ask HN: How did you move from IT/software to something unrelated?
#19Have you ever tried sales? It should be fairly easy to get a sales job at any retail store near where you live. Spend a year or two getting good at it, then get hired as a technical sales engineer. Sales is a versatile skill and somebody with both sales chops and programming skills is hard to come by.
I'd add that sales is quite possibly the most universal of skills. You can move anywhere in the world and get a well paying job if you have sales experience. Well, maybe not North Korea, but you get the drift.
well, north korea still has to sell all that coal it pulls out of the ground using slave labor.
Re: Ask HN: How did you move from IT/software to something unrelated?
#20I went back to school and got a doctorate in botany. Now I am a staff scientist at a large state university. Working in tech gave me a lot of financial success, but it wasn't something I was passionate about.