Ask HN: Alternative careers for a developer

I went through a brief period where I was convinced I wanted to be a carpenter, specifically making furniture. I've also worked as a builders mate and roofer in the past both of which I enjoyed and all of which settle my desire to create something. It seemed better to be building something that actually existed in the real world, not just on the internet.

These days though I'm just trying to make enough money in the next few years that I'll never have to sit at a desk again, and given my current skill set and the general nature of the internet I think being a developer is the best way to do it ;)

nowadays pretty much any white collar job you do, will involve sitting at a computer all day.

From what I've seen, architects go to school, really arduous school, for years, after which they continue to work constantly, much more than 40 hours per week. I believe they get paid less than developers, have less job security -- and, yes, sit at a computer all day.

But what do I know? All I can suggest is: Don't apply to design or architecture school until you've talked with at least three working architects or designers. Make sure you talk to at least one cynic.

You could try selling software. If you're a developer now, you should be able to understand it and explain it to people. There are other skills involved in sales (it's best to be extroverted and to enjoy talking to people).

But you'd be spending your time traveling and talking to people.

I would suggest you start by reading the essay Shop Class as Soulcraft

http://www.thenewatlantis.com/publications/shop-class-as-sou...

... and then read the entire (not very long) book, if you like the article. it might give you a starting point for thinking about fulfilling careers that don't involve sitting at a computer all day

  Sales Engineer
  Construction site manager
  Military officer
  Field biologist
  Criminal investigator [1]
  Doctor, Nurse, PA
  Teacher

[1] http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special_agent

I was actually thinking about doing a degree in geology just for the fun of it - then I saw what petroleum geologists get paid!

Somebody somewhere is doing your dream job as a bridge to doing their dream job.

I am an electrical engineer and in the same boat as you. While being an engineer can be rewarding, the sedentary aspects kill the reward. It is physically draining.

To remedy the situation, I decided to get a Ph.D. and become a professor. I am in my first year of grad school right now. While I know that professors have to do a lot of paper writing and grant writing, most of their work isn't necessarily computer related.

I am also thinking about going into semiconducting materials and devices resarch, which entails a lot of lab work building novel electronic devices. My previous dream was to be an IC designer, but I don't want to spend my life running SPICE simulations.

My Dad is an architect in a small town (40k pop) and services much of rural south eastern ohio. He almost never sits at a computer during the day, and most of his drafting is done by draftsmen on datacad.

I'd be happy to privately give you his e-mail to answer questions.

Here's what I know that might help: Because he's in a small town, working on relatively small projects (typically under 1M), he often acts as an overseer to the actual building process as well. He keeps boots and overalls in his truck, and spends most of his time away from his desk. It's my understanding that most architects in major metros, or at big firms are fairly disjointed from the construction process.

The point is, you could be a developer without spending your time at a computer (you could sell, manage, consult, or teach). You can be an architect without drafting on autocad all day (choose your market/niche).

You could learn to be an industrial designer or process engineer, and then go work in a production facility, or you could work in excel and CAD all day.

Having spent the last 15 years as a developer, I'm now working toward a career as an opera singer (I'm a tenor).

Admittedly I find it difficult to identify many similarities between opera and software development. People often make a connection between music and mathematics, but for me the non-mathematic aspects of opera are what I find most attractive. The sheer thrill of dramatic expression through controlled screaming is intoxicating. And instead of my work living unseen in the dark recesses of a multi-tier architecture, I'm put, quite literally, center stage and in the spotlight, with immediate feedback (applause or boos) and recognition.

I am always surprised at the way in which architecture as a profession is romanticized. I blame Mike Brady...

I went through the process of getting my Masters in Architecture. It is a long and very arduous process and something you shouldn't do without being passionate or dedicated to the discipline.

The crazy thing about it is that you will end up spending most (if not more than you already do) of your time in front of the computer. Sure there is some hand drawing and model making, but the industry is digital now, and working on digital drawings, digital models, renderings, post processing takes so much time – even though the transition to digital was supposed to speed up the process...

And the other thing is the compensation. As people have pointed out, architects don't make that much money (although that doesn't seem to be one of your criterium).

With my degree I've become a design problem solver generalist. I work on architecture problems, business problems, programming problems, whatever is of interest to me – and hopefully that I can get paid for. In the past couple of years, the greatest insight I've had into the difference between architecture and software/web development is the time it takes to realize things. Architecture is a very long process. You might be able to make a drawing quickly, but getting it built will take a long time. A programming development project might have a long development timeline, but there are so many milestones that give instant gratification (i.e. enabling a new feature).

I studied to be a film editor, but ended up as a developer. There's a surprising similarity in the thought processes and trade-offs involved in editing and coding. In both cases, you're in charge of building up a coherent microcosm using a constrained set of intellectual raw material that was created by someone else, whose goals you may or may not agree with.

Unfortunately film editing nowadays involves mostly sitting at a computer (unless you're an oldschool star editor who can demand a Steenbeck flatbed editor and real tangible film).

What about professional photography? While the industry as a whole is currently in flux, there are several technical aspects which often come naturally to hackers/math types.

If you truly learn the craft and work hard at marketing, you can create something of high value to others–be it art, helping other companies (through commercial work), telling stories (journalism or editorial), or personal (portraits/weddings).

What else can you do? In my opinion, it would be a bad idea to do something that requires the same skills than a developer. If you can cook, why not be a chef? If you can play music, why not be a musician?

I am an art school grad, have been an industrial designer, UX/UI designer, and have a lot of friends who are architects. Unless you are REALLY gifted aesthetically. I wouldn't go through the time/expense of design school. You could probably transition to UI design pretty easily. ID is an interesting field, but largely shrinking. Look at the open req's at what were top ID firms (Frog/Ideo/Continuum) Very few are doing much business designing things compared to UI's or some mech-e work. As for the RSI, the average designer spends a lot of time in the Adobe suite or a CAD package so it probably won't help. That said if you are really passionate go for it.

Feel free to contact me if you want more info.

Become a cobbler.

Sales engineering or sales both pay really well and have a less technical component.

I've REALLY enjoyed woodworking and home remodeling. Impressive output that wows people, creative problem solving, etc.

Medical stuff isn't going anywhere, though you better like working with old folks. Nursing is fairly approachable.

There are probably some areas of law that aren't repulsive.

I'm in sort of the same boat. Developing things and creating software is a means to an end for me. Do I enjoy working for myself? Sure. More so than working for the man. But in the end, it's also so that I can be free from the ties of money.

One thing that I (and some of my other fellow CS graduates) have contemplated is going into teaching. It can be rewarding to teach Math or CS at the local high school, assuming your kids aren't too rowdy.

If you have an interest in photography, that could be a good break. I know several wedding photographers who charge what I would consider a very generous amount - they do a good job, and get tons of business. Personally, I've been interested in photography for a long time, but I'm afraid that I'd start hating it or getting bored of it if it becomes my job. Unfortunately, they spend lots of time in front of the computer editing photos.

Have you thought about anything in the financial field? Data modeling, trends, stuff like that?

Become a mechanic; That's what I would do anyway...

Consider becoming a tradesman or artisan of some kind. General construction labor doesn't pay all that well, and is pretty boring, but if you have the skills, specialty craftsmanship can be very lucrative and fun.

You can make physical things you can be proud of, and you don't have to use a computer. Also, at some level, it is "design" work, because even if you don't draw up the plans, you have to make decisions about how things fit best and what works where, &c.

If you're in the US, you can become a foreign service officer as they need a lot of information technology people in different areas. If you're interested in living in different parts of the world, this would be a good career path.

http://careers.state.gov/officer/index.html http://careers.state.gov/specialist/employment.html#IMS

Try systems administration. Setting up servers, monitoring networks, you even get to do a little bit of programming by writing scripts to manage common tasks.

I think sys admins generally make more than developers do (unless you are an upper tier programmer).

Designing/Laying out fire sprinkler systems:

http://www.sprinklercareer.freewebsitehosting.com/

Found from another site, good details:

Even now jobs are plentiful.

All it takes is two years at a community college at one of three community colleges in the country.

Entry level average wage is low to mid $30's.

Average wage with three years job experience is mid $50's to mid $60's with more available in larger metro areas. To give one example the average annual wage for an entry level technician in Omaha, Nebraska is $36,784.32, with $61,195.93 to someone with five years experience and $73,401.73 to senior level (ten years) technicians.

The majority of companies are union companies and while technicians are considered management most companies offer benefits such as medical, dental and retirement plans.

This is not a pipe fitter or installer job. Installers are suffering unemployment, 40% in some areas of the country, but unemployment does not extend to the technicians.

The work is not physical with 75% to 95% of your time spent in an office environment in front of a computer screen. The work is always challenging and fun, it is not a boring job.

This job is different from about any other in the universe because once fully certified (5 years) you don't get the boss and HR bullshit you hear about in other places of employment because you are not easily replaced.

I think you should continue writing software.

1) You say you aren't very good at it... In my experience that means you're probably pretty good at it :)

2) Physical and substantial... well, it's easy to get disillusioned with some enterprise app or something. Maybe you just need a change of scenery? Get into web development or something else new to you.

3) I can sympathize with physical pain. Spend some serious mind-share learning new tools that will help you get around this. Try xmonad, vim, or other tools that keep your hands on the home-row. Take lots and lots of little breaks (grab a coffee, stretch, etc).

My 2 cents.