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Ignoring industries built on regulatory capture / credentialism gatekeeping like law and medicine [by the way, even those both have continuing education require

Ignoring industries built on regulatory capture / credentialism gatekeeping like law and medicine [by the way, even those both have continuing education requirements], are there actually exceptions to this? Plenty of careers just go away. Might as well pick one where you can stay relevant by picking up incremental/adjacent skills continuously.

thejazzman 2y ago
Electrician and plumbers have it pretty good in this regard. I don't see that being replaced anytime soon and there's not all that much to learn and a lot less changing on you. Maybe we'd get bored though.
- root_axis 2y ago
  Very true, though, those jobs also present significant occupational hazards, unlike software where the biggest threat you face is a sedentary lifestyle.
  - dgfitz 2y ago
    I’m a 15-year SWE. If I sat at a desk or in an office/cube all day I’d lose my marbles. The software I write and ship also requires me to be able to grab a socket set, take panels off things, fish out DB9 connectors, run wiring, etc. testing also happens in heavy snow in the winter and high heat in the summer. Oh, lots of travel as well. I’ve been interested in finding a different job, I’m just worried I would get very bored very quickly, tying together api calls or stitching together libraries.
    - czl 2y ago
      Embedded software?
      - dgfitz 2y ago
        Kind of, yeah. Not in the traditional sense, it’s about 80% x86_64.
  - digging 2y ago
    > the biggest threat you face is a sedentary lifestyle Which is a serious threat, to be clear. It's just more easily mitigated.
    - root_axis 2y ago
      It's absolutely a serious threat, but being easier to mitigate is the crux of the distinction I'm making.
- remixff2400 2y ago
  Not as sure about electricians, but plumbers at least pay for it with their body. Even though PPE can reduce the strain, there's still a reason why these trades haven't just shot through the roof. Bad knees, bad backs, respiratory dangers, etc. Trades in general are fraught with physical perils for the unaware.
willsmith72 2y ago
i personally love the expectation of constant learning, growth and innovation in our field but yes, anecdotally, compared to all of my friends and family, i don't know any profession with those same expectations. to name a few - market researchers, psychologists, primary school teachers.

thejazzman 2y ago

Electrician and plumbers have it pretty good in this regard. I don't see that being replaced anytime soon and there's not all that much to learn and a lot less changing on you. Maybe we'd get bored though.

root_axis 2y ago
Very true, though, those jobs also present significant occupational hazards, unlike software where the biggest threat you face is a sedentary lifestyle.
- dgfitz 2y ago
  I’m a 15-year SWE. If I sat at a desk or in an office/cube all day I’d lose my marbles. The software I write and ship also requires me to be able to grab a socket set, take panels off things, fish out DB9 connectors, run wiring, etc. testing also happens in heavy snow in the winter and high heat in the summer. Oh, lots of travel as well. I’ve been interested in finding a different job, I’m just worried I would get very bored very quickly, tying together api calls or stitching together libraries.
  - czl 2y ago
    Embedded software?
    - dgfitz 2y ago
      Kind of, yeah. Not in the traditional sense, it’s about 80% x86_64.
- digging 2y ago
  > the biggest threat you face is a sedentary lifestyle Which is a serious threat, to be clear. It's just more easily mitigated.
  - root_axis 2y ago
    It's absolutely a serious threat, but being easier to mitigate is the crux of the distinction I'm making.
remixff2400 2y ago
Not as sure about electricians, but plumbers at least pay for it with their body. Even though PPE can reduce the strain, there's still a reason why these trades haven't just shot through the roof. Bad knees, bad backs, respiratory dangers, etc. Trades in general are fraught with physical perils for the unaware.

willsmith72 2y ago

i personally love the expectation of constant learning, growth and innovation in our field but yes, anecdotally, compared to all of my friends and family, i don't know any profession with those same expectations. to name a few - market researchers, psychologists, primary school teachers.