Ask HN: Has anyone started over outside of tech? • Hacker News Board

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

#101

Post by room271 » Fri, Mar 03, 2023, 1:28 PM UTC

I am in the process of exploring a switch to become a vicar/pastor, which would obviously be a complete change!

It's not clear from your post what it is about tech that is demotivating you and without that it is hard to give good advice. But I'd caution against just leaving without having some clarity about what is next - i.e. discerning a positive pull. It may well be that your challenges/frustrations are only tangentially related to tech itself - could it be social, mental health, team/company, etc?

Flexible or part-time working is also something to explore - especially as you are not struggling financially. I've done variously 4 days or 9/10 days for the last 5 years or so and that's allowed me to do some volunteering on the off day, which has been a great change from sitting in front of a screen - as it's been physical and people-focused.

A sabbatical is another option. Take 3 or 6 months off, do something different, and you may rediscover a bit of passion for tech or otherwise figure out what you want to do next.

I also recommend chatting to friends/people you trust who know you well and might be able to give some wisdom/help you understand where the frustration is coming from.

And of course, if you do leave tech, you can always jump back in!

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

#102

Post by GoToRO » Fri, Mar 03, 2023, 1:29 PM UTC

Version467 wrote: post #85

GoToRO wrote: post #56

Earlier 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'…

(not US) It seems the whole setup is constructed to make you feel bad, no appreciation for work delivered, every technical argument is seen as an excuse, deadlines have nothing to do with reality an so on. When I interacted with blue collars, they got more respect from their boss or colleagues. Of course, "working with the public" is different and I would guess the only job that is more toxic than programming.

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

#103

Post by throwaway6734 » Fri, Mar 03, 2023, 1:30 PM UTC

bshipp wrote: post #97

throwaway6734 wrote: post #65

Earlier quoted context omitted.

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.

I think there are many teachers who would love to have an experienced individual come in and guest-speak about one topic or another, if that's something of interest to people.

Definitely. It's much easier to engage with a class when you're not the main source of authority. It's like being the cool aunt/uncle.

Teaching is not easy and a lot of tech work is much less stressful than it

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

#104

Post by martopix » Fri, Mar 03, 2023, 1:30 PM UTC

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…

Beautiful answer -- why would you just accumulate savings without using them for living an interesting life? It's worth taking risks. I'm considering doing something of the sort, probably much less risky actually.

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

#105

Post by germinalphrase » Fri, Mar 03, 2023, 1:30 PM UTC

throwaway6734 wrote: post #65

halfmatthalfcat wrote: post #30

Earlier 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.

I was a teacher for ten years before taking a position at a small tech consultancy. I also encourage you to jump into the substitute pool; however, please understand that as a regular classroom teacher you will have many more tools to manage a high functioning classroom (not least, a regular classroom teacher has established relationships with their students). Substitute teaching is teaching, but there's a reason expectations for what's accomplished during that day are typically quite low. This all will change classroom to classroom, school to school - of course.

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

#106

Post by GoToRO » Fri, Mar 03, 2023, 1:31 PM UTC

tetromino_ wrote: post #77

GoToRO wrote: post #56

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I would guess the one big difference is respect. For some reason, there is no respect for tech workers.

But tech workers get far more respect than people in OP's current role of a receptionist, barista, waiter, and/or housekeeping.

Working with the public is different and yes, worse that software development. I was referring more to interactions with your boss or colleagues.

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

#107

Post by throwaway665654 » Fri, Mar 03, 2023, 1:31 PM UTC

walledstance wrote: post #24

Teaching. I moved from a big tech company to teaching. Teaching is the hardest job I’ve ever done, and requires entire new skills. Teacher pay, depending on where you are, can be real low compared to FAANG money, but damn do I sleep well at night knowing that I help people. There is nothing like watching someone struggle and then suddenly understanding the subject. But seriously, it is a hard job. You learn quickly t…

I did the other way around. Went from teaching (university level) to FAANG. I could discuss for hours about the pros and cons of each job, but the bottom line is that I can't afford not earning that money. I'll save every single dollar I can from my SWE job and think about something else when I'm laid off, but I'm not leaving on my own.

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

#108

Post by himoacs » Fri, Mar 03, 2023, 1:31 PM UTC

I feel like that a lot and I think it can happen with any profession. When you turn your interests and hobbies into a profession, you are bound to reach a point when you don't enjoy it anymore. I think a better, and a more balanced, approach is to keep some distance between your work and passion/hobbies.

This allows you to enjoy your hobbies without being bogged down by usual bureaucracy/pressure that you might deal with at work. So, continue working in tech (maybe reevaluate your role, amount of responsibility etc) and take music lessons, volunteer, join sport leagues, take pottery lessons etc.

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

#109

Post by 4gotunameagain » Fri, Mar 03, 2023, 1:32 PM UTC

siva7 wrote: post #41

It is important to understand that everyone has sometimes escape phantasies (teachers, therapists, baristas, founders, medical doctors, professors, developers, etc., they all do) because something is making them truly unhappy in their day-to-day job and they assume other people happier. Finding about the root cause what makes you unhappy will usually lead to more satisfying results than just running after to become a…

For some people, sitting on a chair all day staring at a screen can be a true source of misery. When I am closer to nature, doing things with my body, I invariably feel better.

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

#110

Post by martopix » Fri, Mar 03, 2023, 1:32 PM UTC

walledstance wrote: post #24

Teaching. I moved from a big tech company to teaching. Teaching is the hardest job I’ve ever done, and requires entire new skills. Teacher pay, depending on where you are, can be real low compared to FAANG money, but damn do I sleep well at night knowing that I help people. There is nothing like watching someone struggle and then suddenly understanding the subject. But seriously, it is a hard job. You learn quickly t…

I really resonate with this. I work in academia and I finally decided that I don't want to do research any more, but I want to teach. The choice now is whether to take a teaching-only position in a university, or do something a little crazy and try to go back to my country and teach in a public school. Either way, I hope to feel the same as you say.