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How to bootstrap to higher paying work (not necessarily tech specific)

15 points by morpheos137 ↗ HN
I have understanding of technology, advanced unix, linux skils, manufacturing, quality control, R & D experience...a Bachelors degree from a number of years ago in Economics from a decent school...nevertheless since 2020 I am stuck doing basically manual labor, not figuratively but literally. Looking for suggestions how to boot strap. Potentially interested in software development but really I think I would like something maybe a little more physically active...like industrial automation or skilled assembly...

My "career" started in the last recession and since then has been mostly a downward trend. Now I am earning the same low pay as I was a decade ago in a different job, when I got out of school, and not even working a full time.

I am a good problem solver but the job roles I have had mostly don't value problem solving.

I am socially isolated and introverted by nature...maybe I have Aspberger's syndrome but I think schizoid is really a more apt description of me. I understand the world and social interactions I am just kind of cut off from it. Working in non-knowledge roles obviously doesn't help...since that is where my comparative advantage is...

Anyway I heard of the IBM "New Collar" apprenticeship programs for various technical trades. Anybody know about these?

I might get A+ certification and try to get into IT. It seems like a crowed space though.

Kind of caught in a poverty trap approaching middle age...

Anyway if anybody has any stories to share how they turned a similar situation around, I am interested in hearing them.

I have no debt, no dependants, and essentially no money.

13 comments

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lookdangerous
This isn’t much, but it’s a little: even a bad plan is better than no plan.
truprajutr
Just wanted to say that you are not alone in this. I am likely a bit older, have a (pity) PhD in a technical field and am in a comparable situation career-wise.

I think it's mostly a result of my ADHD and related traits like weakened communication skills, poor impulse control and the learned helplessness that eventually comes with all it. Switching fields and generally fleeing from one thing to the other does not help as well.

It gets to the point when I notice less skilled and less diligent folks getting further just because they had not been traumatized and hence were able to manage their work life more adequately.

All the things I learned or did (relatively) well are only due to my sustained intrinsic interest in them. I haven't learned much new stuff recently (nothing in any depth for sure) and I am not sure I am still able.

I would love to have a mentor who has similar interests but is rather successful career-wise. Not sure if such combination exists or how to find one. My boss at work is great but he's too different.

morpheos137
I probably have ADHD and poor impulse control too. It works in some roles, but not so good with planning boot strapping from nothing and following through on a plan. If you are already rich and empowered ADHD may be more manageable if you can rapidly switch your attention from one thing to another and then have people under you actually execute on the details.
mikelyons
Independently produce creative work that is of massive value to others. I know it's very general and vague but it seems logical to me.
morpheos137
That usually works if you can find something that (1) you can do (2) is valuable and in demand.

Do you have a good heuristic for finding something valuable to do that meets these criteria?

Seems like everything worth doing has been done or is capital intensive to get into.

I am mechanically inclined and have all the tools and a garage (inherited) to work on cars in maybe I can buy wrecks and fix them up. I am not too good at sales though and there is a lot of regulatory burden to get set up. Not to mention zoning and other stuff. Maybe it is worth looking into...

With interest rates so low these days though almost anybody can finance a new or newer car and it kind of hurts used car dealers but then again with covid there is more demand for cars from people leaving cities.

But the work is hard and dirty and not quite as lucrative as a best selling book...lol.

wheresmycraisin
You may want to try a local university for a help-desk type role. Those jobs are usually ignored by others because of low pay (think $50k-$60k in california) but if you are ambitious you can pad your resume and move into more technical roles. Source: This is how I started when I graduated right as the sky was falling economically in 2008.
emgo
If you're looking into software development, and assuming you already have skills to build things, then you could start as a freelance developer and build simple mobile apps or simple websites for people/businesses. This will take 2-3 years of hard work for you to take off, but once you're there it can be worth it. From there, if you want more stability, you can make your way into a small web/app agency and work with a team.

If you want something more manual, then you should look into skilled trades that have shortages right now in your current state/country, and which have a decent hourly wage. For example, good electricians, plumbers, carpenters, etc., are hard to find. And they're not (yet) at risk of being disrupted by AI and automation in the next 10-15 years.

I hope this helped. Hang in there!

amerkhalid
This is a good idea. One quick way to get started might be Upwork and other such sites. These sites are full of lowing paying jobs but use then as a quick way to learn and build a portfolio.
mtntrek
Open Source groups are friendly to tech newbies and meetups or conferences are generally free. Local Linux User Groups (LUGs) in western U.S. usually meet in local non-profit Maker Spaces(search on this). The LUG where I currently live is smaller; 10 or so meet in person during non-pandemic times. They are able Linux and system folks. Some will tutor IT, networks, and Linux, and know the job market. Their IRChat channel contains "passing in the hall" type tech discussions. I highly recommend Open Source and Linux groups.

A different job idea is accounting or bookkeeping? While this is less interesting than IT, the barrier to entry might be lower. Given your aptitude for details it could be a good fit. Free online courses are available at Coursera.org or edX.org.

sloaken
I hear 2 problems:

1) I need more money

2) I think I want a different profession

1: 2 common tactics: a) move into management b) find a job with someone else - new employer has to offer something to leave your current place, usually its money. When you interview do not say you are leaving, say you are looking for more opportunity.

2: Changing careers is often difficult, but also often rewarding. Hardest part is getting your first job in the new career. To which I recommend volunteering somewhere. If it is SW dev, then Open Source, IT admin, any non profit would love your help. Not tech, I am sure some charity can use your skill and validate you are quality and worth hiring.

Good Luck

cercatrova
Learn sales and marketing. This is the single highest leverage activity I've ever done, that's netted me some very high amounts of money.

Things like cold emailing, how to properly sell on a sales call, where to find clients, etc.

derfabianpeter
Second that. Lame old people skills are the single most effective thing I’ve learned as a founder. Nothing else made a real difference.