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Ask HN: What would you do if you could choose a new career path and why?

14 points by gamechangr 6y ago

superbcarrot 6y ago
Medicine I seriously considered it when I was a teenager, decided to try out some more unorthodox fields instead, eventually wound up in software. Reasons why I would pick medicine - having a more tangible positive impact on the world and better long term job stability. Unfortunately, there's no realistic way for me to switch at this point considering the fees and having to spend so many years studying full time without any income.
- notesinthefield 6y ago
  I recently dropped out of nursing school (BSN), its not quite as intense as an MD but working full time and then putting in another six to eight hours on clinicals, labs, lectures etc on top of the realization I would be taking a significant pay was untenable. Paramedic training is much more feasible and may be able to scratch that medical itch.
iujjkfjdkkdkf 6y ago
I often wonder about if I had joined the Army. I'm in my early 40s, I know a few people my age who are retired from service, have a great pension built up, great leadership experience, and generally are ahead of me career wise. There are lots of reasons it is not for everyone, but I think military service is often overlooked, especially in tech circles, and can be a great part of one's career.
- gamechangr 6y ago
  I know someone who signed up at 42. They ended up getting a full ride to medical school (in the army)
- omginternets 6y ago
  I had the rare opportunity to serve in the military (non-US) after my Ph.D. It was one of the best experiences of my life, and I think you're exactly correct in your assessment that it is often overlooked by urban, left-leaning, highly-educated folk, and that this is an unfortunate loss. Happy to answer any questions.
isoskeles 6y ago
I would go to law school. It was the other path I seriously considered coming out of college. We could use more people who are competent with tech working as attorneys.
kleer001 6y ago
If I could I wouldn't. I'm super lucky. Bachelor's degree in Computer Art. Been doing it since 1999. If I had to maybe engineering? VFX is such a great balance of art and math I can't think of any amazing alternative.
mguerville 6y ago
I’d probably choose to be an engineer. I am a business generalist and it’s an insanely hard market as companies prefer to go for hyper specialized talent rather than general acumen. Some days I wish I could just be a decent engineer and compatible with thousands of job postings versus dozens
stephen82 6y ago
I honestly don't know what I would have chosen for a different career path, but what I do know is that I would not choose technology or anything that deals with internet connection.
- gamechangr 6y ago
  Why?

14 points by gamechangr 6y ago

Medicine I seriously considered it when I was a teenager, decided to try out some more unorthodox fields instead, eventually wound up in software. Reasons why I would pick medicine - having a more tangible positive impact on the world and better long term job stability. Unfortunately, there's no realistic way for me to switch at this point considering the fees and having to spend so many years studying full time without any income.

notesinthefield 6y ago
I recently dropped out of nursing school (BSN), its not quite as intense as an MD but working full time and then putting in another six to eight hours on clinicals, labs, lectures etc on top of the realization I would be taking a significant pay was untenable. Paramedic training is much more feasible and may be able to scratch that medical itch.

iujjkfjdkkdkf 6y ago

I often wonder about if I had joined the Army. I'm in my early 40s, I know a few people my age who are retired from service, have a great pension built up, great leadership experience, and generally are ahead of me career wise. There are lots of reasons it is not for everyone, but I think military service is often overlooked, especially in tech circles, and can be a great part of one's career.

gamechangr 6y ago
I know someone who signed up at 42. They ended up getting a full ride to medical school (in the army)
omginternets 6y ago
I had the rare opportunity to serve in the military (non-US) after my Ph.D. It was one of the best experiences of my life, and I think you're exactly correct in your assessment that it is often overlooked by urban, left-leaning, highly-educated folk, and that this is an unfortunate loss. Happy to answer any questions.

isoskeles 6y ago

I would go to law school. It was the other path I seriously considered coming out of college. We could use more people who are competent with tech working as attorneys.

kleer001 6y ago

If I could I wouldn't. I'm super lucky. Bachelor's degree in Computer Art. Been doing it since 1999. If I had to maybe engineering? VFX is such a great balance of art and math I can't think of any amazing alternative.

mguerville 6y ago

I’d probably choose to be an engineer. I am a business generalist and it’s an insanely hard market as companies prefer to go for hyper specialized talent rather than general acumen. Some days I wish I could just be a decent engineer and compatible with thousands of job postings versus dozens

stephen82 6y ago

I honestly don't know what I would have chosen for a different career path, but what I do know is that I would not choose technology or anything that deals with internet connection.

gamechangr 6y ago
Why?