Ask HN: What trades can I learn at home?

5 points by spacebuffer 3mo ago ↗ HN

I am a mid level software engineer, currently I am working in SWE but I am worried I'll be out of a job in a few years. I am honing my skills without AI in case the prediction that hiring will pick back up in a few years but I need a plan B.

I am looking to learn a trade job/skill so I can sustain myself in the future. everyone is talking about plumbing but that sounds daunting and I don't know where to start.

Is there something that I can do from home alongside my job to elevate my skills IRL for free or for cheap?

4 comments

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ben_w 3mo ago ↗

Woodworking. Depending on if you're in a house or an apartment (because fire risk is easier to manage if you're not in an apartment), metalworking.

My brother took up hypnotherapy a few years back.

My mum was a part-time gardener when I was a teen.

BoredPositron 3mo ago ↗

I was an electrician by trade before doing SWE and started to do electronic and micro electronic repair in the last two years. It's well suited to do at home but needs a bit of an initial investment ~$1000.

toomuchtodo 3mo ago ↗

Electrician, plumbing, carpentry, HVAC. I learned how to weld (stick "smaw", mig, tig) for <$1000 at my local community college at the time (circa 2008-2009 GFC), and was offered a job (which I luckily did not need to take) after completing the required courses.

mmarian 3mo ago ↗

Depends where you're based. But handymen in the UK get decent money, especially once you start working with businesses.