What should I do with my life? • Hacker News Board

Re: What should I do with my life?

#11

Post by leon_ » Mon, Jul 04, 2011, 9:25 AM UTC

jgrahamc wrote: post #7

If you've got some coding skills and some art skills then I'd suggest you think about working in the computer games industry where these things tend to collide. You'll probably need some maths but you could probably study that. I don't think it's just you. When I was 20 I had a really hard time knowing what I was going to do next (in fact, when I was about 22 I had a real crisis about how I was going to get through t…

with _some_ coding skills and _some_ art skills you won't get far in the gaming industry. the jobs there are highly specialized - you need to be good at either coding or art.

though with being somewhat good at both you can go the indie route.

Re: What should I do with my life?

#12

Post by zalew » Mon, Jul 04, 2011, 9:27 AM UTC

> "what the fuck am I going to be when I'm 30"

don't worry that you don't know that, it won't be whatever you think when you are 20 anyway.

earn a few bucks and go on a trip some place you find interesting or liked on pictures, you can never go wrong with that.

Re: What should I do with my life?

#13

Post by chipsy » Mon, Jul 04, 2011, 9:30 AM UTC

Here's the most likely problem: You aren't mature enough yet. Not really in the ego/experience sense, but in the physical mind/body sense. If my anecdotal experience(just a few years out at 25) is any indication, youth makes it harder to stay grounded and take your immediate reality seriously.

For now, stay healthy, keep learning, try lots of things and do good work. You'll be prepared for whatever comes next.

Re: What should I do with my life?

#14

Post by pz » Mon, Jul 04, 2011, 9:31 AM UTC

First things first, you need to chill the f*ck out. You're 20 years old. You've only accomplished a small fraction of your life's mistakes, you have plenty more to look forward to.

Next, get a job. It sounds like your life needs some structure and distraction from your own thoughts. I'm not suggesting this job should be your life's purpose, just enough to give you something to focus on besides yourself.

Re: What should I do with my life?

#15

Post by mlennox » Mon, Jul 04, 2011, 9:32 AM UTC

As you are also artistic, start hanging around with the 'maker' community, they welcome people with coding skills. You'll probably get burned by hangers-on a few times but gravitate to the folks who are dedicated and can deliver.

The most interesting person I know couldn't give you a job description. He teaches kids, builds giant robot sculptures and creates science museums.

Just hang out with interesting, creative, passionate people and you will discover what you like to do.

Re: What should I do with my life?

#16

Post by blitzky » Mon, Jul 04, 2011, 9:41 AM UTC

You coded in C++/Javascript for clients that don't pay. Go to college and learn Computer Science. This will allow you to code for clients that pay. Some of these companies will suck, but some of them will be very good places with great coworkers and a lot of creativity.

The art diploma will be useless. If you have a CS degree, you can have a day job that pays well and maintains your art hobby. Later in life, if you art hobby "takes off", you can drop out of computer science and become an artist full time.

The point is: CS will give you a base that you can use for your entire life and keep you going, allow you to have a family or even be single and reasonably well off.

Re: What should I do with my life?

#17

Post by Brewer » Mon, Jul 04, 2011, 9:44 AM UTC

Usually I don't both with people who are feeling sorry for themselves, but I'm feeling nice this morning.

Go get a GED. Go to a community college and do your general studies. After two years, transfer to a state school and declare your major.

Oh, and don't post shit like this here anymore. This isn't a forum for people feeling bad for themselves.

Re: What should I do with my life?

#18

Post by boyter » Mon, Jul 04, 2011, 10:02 AM UTC

mannicken wrote: post #5

madhouse wrote: post #3

I was like that when I was 20, except for the art stuff. I write code, that's what I'm good at, everything else is uninteresting, therefore I fail at it horribly. Nevertheless, ten years later, I have a good job, which I absolutely love, and even when I leave home, I can barely wait the next morning so I can come back in and work. (Ok, it's not THAT bad, but you get the idea!) And whenever I ask myself "what the hell…

Wait, so writing code is actually interesting for you? That's funny. I always thought of it as 'means to the end', something you had to do, like paying taxes to the machine in order for it to animate your stuff and make it do things.

Hell no.

I am still amazed I get PAID to sit down and write code. I would do it for free (and frequently do) just because I love it so much.

There are few things that really float my boat, wine (and other beverages), hiking and coding are at the top of my list. The fact that people are willing to pay me for the last one is always a shock. As is when I find others are unable to do it.

Re: What should I do with my life?

#19

Post by nodata » Mon, Jul 04, 2011, 10:06 AM UTC

Watch this: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Up_Series

Might give you some relief and perspective.

Re: What should I do with my life?

#20

Post by paganel » Mon, Jul 04, 2011, 10:07 AM UTC

> "what the fuck am I going to be when I'm 30".

I'm 30 now and I'm asking myself the same thing :) First of all, I think you need to take each step at a time, that's what I do, at least. Also, try having a not-job-related activity if you have the time, it can give you that extra feeling that a month-to-month paycheck or whatever cannot provide.

If it matters, I'm a CS college-dropout, I've been employed and able to support myself since 21, while all my friends only did that in their late 20s. So, on account of that, you're really way above the average in not relying on parents' supports, do not despair :)