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I went from manual to office to manual back to office. At 18 entered college to do computer programming, dropped out and at 19 joined Air Force to be an aircra

by fm2606 6y ago

I went from manual to office to manual back to office. At 18 entered college to do computer programming, dropped out and at 19 joined Air Force to be an aircraft mechanic. After 4 years back to college as an aerospace engineer student. Graduated and then started the job jumping for 6 years because the jobs were boring. At age 35 I became a firefighter - paramedic (did PM classes at night - the fire department trained me to be a FF). About 4 years in to this career I saw a lot of people get injured, mainly with back injuries from repetitive, awkward positions so I decided to get a Master's in Computer Science online from DePaul University. It took me 5 years to complete. I started working part-time remote as a programmer. When Covid hit I decided that it was time to go and I found a full-time, remote programming job making good money. I thoroughly enjoy it. I still think FF-PM is the best job ever but with serious chronic health issues I couldn't risk getting sick. Also a constant sleep schedule is AWESOME! I spent 14 years as FF-PM. I am now 50 yo. I don't ever plan on retiring because I enjoy working and don't really have any hobbies beyond reading and programming. I do worry about being able to get a job when I'm older, but I'll find something to do.

orzig 6y ago
I suspect your unusual convergence of skills and domain knowledge will make you perfect for /some/ job at any age!
johnchristopher 6y ago
I just don't know what to do with my shameful career when reading this. Some people seem so focused and without doubts, I just feel so far away on the other side of that spectrum.
- fm2606 6y ago
  Believe me when I say that there was a huge amount of doubt. When I was contemplating becoming a FF-PM I had a wife and 1 year old child. I was far from being in shape but I passed the requirements to be selected (if I had to do it today I'm not sure I would pass. They up their game on entrance requirements!). It didn't help that my mom was telling me that I shouldn't do it and that I should think about my family. But it was actually my family I was thinking of. I knew if I didn't do it right then and at that moment I would never do it and would regret it for the rest of my life. Fast forward to April 2020 and the department agrees to pull me out of the field because of Covid since I have a chronic liver disease. I thought I got a new lease on life as I was getting tired of the field. But it was more frustrating "upstairs" than in the field and I started applying for almost all remote programming jobs. When I finally got a legit job offer came doubt again. As a FF-PM in good standing with the department there was little chance of ever getting laid off or fired (the dept has a high, high rate of turnover). Now I had to decide to leave a secure job or take a job in the private sector. From money standpoint it was a no brainer, but from a security standpoint not so much. Ultimately I made the decision to leave the department. Look at where you are and where you would rather be in 1 year, 5 year and/or 10 years and work backwards from there. What can you do today to move you toward that 1 year, 5 year or 10 year position? Don't give up and don't stay in something you don't like.

by fm2606 6y ago

orzig 6y ago

I suspect your unusual convergence of skills and domain knowledge will make you perfect for /some/ job at any age!

johnchristopher 6y ago

I just don't know what to do with my shameful career when reading this. Some people seem so focused and without doubts, I just feel so far away on the other side of that spectrum.

fm2606 6y ago
Believe me when I say that there was a huge amount of doubt. When I was contemplating becoming a FF-PM I had a wife and 1 year old child. I was far from being in shape but I passed the requirements to be selected (if I had to do it today I'm not sure I would pass. They up their game on entrance requirements!). It didn't help that my mom was telling me that I shouldn't do it and that I should think about my family. But it was actually my family I was thinking of. I knew if I didn't do it right then and at that moment I would never do it and would regret it for the rest of my life. Fast forward to April 2020 and the department agrees to pull me out of the field because of Covid since I have a chronic liver disease. I thought I got a new lease on life as I was getting tired of the field. But it was more frustrating "upstairs" than in the field and I started applying for almost all remote programming jobs. When I finally got a legit job offer came doubt again. As a FF-PM in good standing with the department there was little chance of ever getting laid off or fired (the dept has a high, high rate of turnover). Now I had to decide to leave a secure job or take a job in the private sector. From money standpoint it was a no brainer, but from a security standpoint not so much. Ultimately I made the decision to leave the department. Look at where you are and where you would rather be in 1 year, 5 year and/or 10 years and work backwards from there. What can you do today to move you toward that 1 year, 5 year or 10 year position? Don't give up and don't stay in something you don't like.