Programmers who changed their careers
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Mrs. Maxxx left the wonderful world of IT to become a full time Mum. Longer hours, worse pay, little chance of promotion, and no perks. Job satisfaction, though, second to none. Another work colleague became a rather successful airline pilot. This had been an ambition, and IT just gave him the funding to progress. One became a drug baron - but I think is still serving at her Majesty's Pleasure, so not really so successful. Finally, another colleague became an accountant, but I believe they had been involved in a serious car accident involving head injuries - which could explain this.
___________________________________________ .\\axxx (That's an 'M')
_Maxxx_ wrote:
and no perks
But you told me that you were very perky!
Henry Minute Do not read medical books! You could die of a misprint. - Mark Twain Girl: (staring) "Why do you need an icy cucumber?" “I want to report a fraud. The government is lying to us all.”
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I know many good programmers who came from non CS background or hobbyists from a totally unrelated field who excel at programming but never took a full time programming job. While discussing with my friend today, I found out that few of my programmer friends moved to an entirely different career and became highly successful. I am not taking about managerial positions or running a business. Here are a few interesting cases, which delighted me:- 1. One of programmer friend launched a liquor store and is very successful. 2. Two other guys started an Alpaca[^] ranch and are earning far more than they could have by just programming. So what have alternative things you have seen programmer acquaintainces do and have become successful. The common ones I would think is owning a unrelated business to becoming a music star.
I wanted to train as a philosopher, but then I wondered what’s the point.
Panic, Chaos, Destruction. My work here is done.
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I am an experienced developer and now I have staff I find the most rewarding aspect to be passing on my knowledge. So personally, if I ever change career, it would be into teaching. A friend of mine set up his own training company and has done very well out if it, flying round the world teaching some seriously advanced Unix skills.
That just reminded me of something. "What upsets me about the job? Wasted talent. People could come to me, and they could go, 'Excuse me, David, but you've been in the business twelve years. Can you just spare us a moment to tell us how to run a team, how to keep them task-orientated as well as happy?' But they don't. That's the tragedy." :)
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I know many good programmers who came from non CS background or hobbyists from a totally unrelated field who excel at programming but never took a full time programming job. While discussing with my friend today, I found out that few of my programmer friends moved to an entirely different career and became highly successful. I am not taking about managerial positions or running a business. Here are a few interesting cases, which delighted me:- 1. One of programmer friend launched a liquor store and is very successful. 2. Two other guys started an Alpaca[^] ranch and are earning far more than they could have by just programming. So what have alternative things you have seen programmer acquaintainces do and have become successful. The common ones I would think is owning a unrelated business to becoming a music star.
I have a friend who's become a plumber. He tried a business and it didn't work out and he had been out of the game too long so went for plumbing.
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Rajesh R Subramanian wrote:
(will involve NO writing of code, I can sit on my arse all day, must fill in time sheets,
I'd rather gauge my eyes out with a pointy stick.
Software Kinetics (requires SL3 beta) - Moving software
If such a thing happens, let me know if you need any help with that. :-D
It is a crappy thing, but it's life -^ Carlo Pallini
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Namaste (or Vannacum) Sri Rajesh, Blessed is the one who know what he truly values ! best, Bill
"Many : not conversant with mathematical studies, imagine that because it [the Analytical Engine] is to give results in numerical notation, its processes must consequently be arithmetical, numerical, rather than algebraical and analytical. This is an error. The engine can arrange and combine numerical quantities as if they were letters or any other general symbols; and it fact it might bring out its results in algebraical notation, were provisions made accordingly." Ada, Countess Lovelace, 1844
modified on Friday, July 10, 2009 5:24 AM
Namaste Bill, Thank you for the comments. But, my name happened to be Rajesh. :)
It is a crappy thing, but it's life -^ Carlo Pallini
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Rajesh R Subramanian wrote:
Even if someday I feel the need for more money, I may move to a country where I'll get paid more for the same job.
Though you've to shave yourself, then. :laugh:
If the Lord God Almighty had consulted me before embarking upon the Creation, I would have recommended something simpler. -- Alfonso the Wise, 13th Century King of Castile.
This is going on my arrogant assumptions. You may have a superb reason why I'm completely wrong. -- Iain Clarke
[My articles]I just 'adjusted' the beard a little bit with an electric shaver today morning. The beard got a new shape and I've got a villain like look now. :cool: Still lazy to shave it off completely. :)
It is a crappy thing, but it's life -^ Carlo Pallini
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Mrs. Maxxx left the wonderful world of IT to become a full time Mum. Longer hours, worse pay, little chance of promotion, and no perks. Job satisfaction, though, second to none. Another work colleague became a rather successful airline pilot. This had been an ambition, and IT just gave him the funding to progress. One became a drug baron - but I think is still serving at her Majesty's Pleasure, so not really so successful. Finally, another colleague became an accountant, but I believe they had been involved in a serious car accident involving head injuries - which could explain this.
___________________________________________ .\\axxx (That's an 'M')
_Maxxx_ wrote:
Finally, another colleague became an accountant, but I believe they had been involved in a serious car accident involving head injuries - which could explain this.
:laugh: Don't tell Dalek. :)
It is a crappy thing, but it's life -^ Carlo Pallini
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If such a thing happens, let me know if you need any help with that. :-D
It is a crappy thing, but it's life -^ Carlo Pallini
Sure will, I always keep a set of sharpened stick in the cupboard at the side of me, just in case :)
Software Kinetics (requires SL3 beta) - Moving software
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I wanted to train as a philosopher, but then I wondered what’s the point.
Panic, Chaos, Destruction. My work here is done.
:-D
If the Lord God Almighty had consulted me before embarking upon the Creation, I would have recommended something simpler. -- Alfonso the Wise, 13th Century King of Castile.
This is going on my arrogant assumptions. You may have a superb reason why I'm completely wrong. -- Iain Clarke
[My articles] -
I know many good programmers who came from non CS background or hobbyists from a totally unrelated field who excel at programming but never took a full time programming job. While discussing with my friend today, I found out that few of my programmer friends moved to an entirely different career and became highly successful. I am not taking about managerial positions or running a business. Here are a few interesting cases, which delighted me:- 1. One of programmer friend launched a liquor store and is very successful. 2. Two other guys started an Alpaca[^] ranch and are earning far more than they could have by just programming. So what have alternative things you have seen programmer acquaintainces do and have become successful. The common ones I would think is owning a unrelated business to becoming a music star.
I know a couple of people who gave up IT jobs to work in Skydiving, worse pay but a lot more fun I also know people who have moved into the outdoor industry (climing, mountain leading etc) much worse pay and more fun. AFAIK none of them regret their decisions at the moment but I know at least one of them keeps his hand in building websites for favoured charities in case the dream tarnishes or injury puts an end to his jumping.
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Well, I'm trying to become a lawyer. I'm pretty sure I can succeed at nitpicking and arguing, without all the distraction of actual coding.
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I wanted to train as a philosopher, but then I wondered what’s the point.
Panic, Chaos, Destruction. My work here is done.
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Namaste (or Vannacum) Sri Rajesh, Blessed is the one who know what he truly values ! best, Bill
"Many : not conversant with mathematical studies, imagine that because it [the Analytical Engine] is to give results in numerical notation, its processes must consequently be arithmetical, numerical, rather than algebraical and analytical. This is an error. The engine can arrange and combine numerical quantities as if they were letters or any other general symbols; and it fact it might bring out its results in algebraical notation, were provisions made accordingly." Ada, Countess Lovelace, 1844
modified on Friday, July 10, 2009 5:24 AM
I don't understand who is voting you down or for what reason. :confused: At times, I just don't get it at all. :|
It is a crappy thing, but it's life -^ Carlo Pallini
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I know many good programmers who came from non CS background or hobbyists from a totally unrelated field who excel at programming but never took a full time programming job. While discussing with my friend today, I found out that few of my programmer friends moved to an entirely different career and became highly successful. I am not taking about managerial positions or running a business. Here are a few interesting cases, which delighted me:- 1. One of programmer friend launched a liquor store and is very successful. 2. Two other guys started an Alpaca[^] ranch and are earning far more than they could have by just programming. So what have alternative things you have seen programmer acquaintainces do and have become successful. The common ones I would think is owning a unrelated business to becoming a music star.
This one went into massage and a B&B on the bay of Fundy. This wonderful fulfilling dream turned into a boring nightmare of cleaning toilets, endless dishes and other no fun things before it went belling up. Back to school for C# & web stuff and now have a nice comfy job in air conditioned office with no toilets to be cleaned.
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I don't understand who is voting you down or for what reason. :confused: At times, I just don't get it at all. :|
It is a crappy thing, but it's life -^ Carlo Pallini
Rajesh R Subramanian wrote:
I don't understand who is voting you down or for what reason.
Namaste Sri Rajesh, I haven't noticed that : I don't pay attention to the votes, and if I found myself doing so, I would be asking myself "what is wrong with you ?" :) I see the Lounge as being a place where people come to discharge their tensions and frustrations for some, to blow off rage for others, to make friends, to share information, to seek fellowship (personship ?) among their peers, to show off, to brag, to perform, to get attention, to express joy in being curious and finding unique wonderful things that only other "geeks" can, perhaps, recognize as unique. What would surprise me would be if the Lounge were not an on-going series of psycho-dramas, if people did not "play roles," and create "larger-than-life" personas, if people were not, at times, surprisingly vulnerable in a way they would never be face-to-face with people they knew casually. And it would surprise me if people, including myself, didn't occasionally lose control and really "blow it," posting something vicious, hurtful, etc. If I did that, I hope I would "come to my senses soon" and publicly apologize. I do have a personal negative reaction to some rare Lounge posts that seem to me to cross the line where humor and explicit violent fantasy are separated in areas like "cruelty to animals" or jokes involving murder, suicide, etc. I also specifically dislike the frequent aspersions on India seen here and see them as nothing more, or less, than racism. And, I believe, like most manifestations of racism, these emerge, often, from economic frustration, and the pathetic lack of emotional and spiritual development found in males in many western societies (particularly where I come from, America). So I just stop reading posts by the people who write such, and pray for their souls :) "Rahi gulzar to phool khilenge" Kabir regards, Bill
"Many : not conversant with mathematical studies, imagine that because it [the Analytical Engine] is to give results in numerical notation, its processes must consequently be arithmetical, numerical, rather than algebraical and analytical. This is an error. The engine can arrange and combine numerical quantities as if they were letters or any other general symbols; and it fact it might bring out its results in algebraical notation, were provisions made accordingly." Ada, Countess Lovelace, 1844
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Well, I'm trying to become a lawyer. I'm pretty sure I can succeed at nitpicking and arguing, without all the distraction of actual coding.
I've thought about it, and it's certainly an escape route should the entire IT fad blow away :D. On the other hand it would cost me a fortune, and with two kids that's not good, also salary wise it would be a lateral move for a good 10-15 years. Curiously, after having had a few beer laden chats with a lawyer friend of mine, my interest has been somewhat dented by the sheer mind-numbingness of his description of what he does 80% of the time. I wonder if you could specialize in IT law? Seems to be a lacking and new field.
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I know many good programmers who came from non CS background or hobbyists from a totally unrelated field who excel at programming but never took a full time programming job. While discussing with my friend today, I found out that few of my programmer friends moved to an entirely different career and became highly successful. I am not taking about managerial positions or running a business. Here are a few interesting cases, which delighted me:- 1. One of programmer friend launched a liquor store and is very successful. 2. Two other guys started an Alpaca[^] ranch and are earning far more than they could have by just programming. So what have alternative things you have seen programmer acquaintainces do and have become successful. The common ones I would think is owning a unrelated business to becoming a music star.
I am finally back to C++ programming (my strongest skill) after several years away. Fortunately, I work with ITAR sofware, which makes it hard to replace me with an H1-b or outsource my job out of the country. I hope this job is good for at least a couple of years, but I have seen some disturbing signs in the parent company... (they are considering a 2% across-the-board salary reduction, among other things) Having spent nearly 3 years under-employed (I can recall when recruiters hung up on me upon learning that I was a C++ programmer), I have two currently-operating backup careers. Plan A: Texas Certified Concealed Handgun License Instructor. After 8 years in the business, it has suddenly taken off, thanks to Dear Leader. I have no idea how long the current mania will last, but for now it has nearly doubled my total income, with only two classes per month. Plan B: Violin Teacher.What a combo, right? I teach violin lessons 3 nights a week, and my schedule is currently full, and I may go to a 4th night starting in September. I used to do lessons on weekends, but Plan A takes those up now. If I wasn't working a 40-hr day job, I could easily double or triple my student load; the demand for music tutoring appears pretty constant in this yuppie neighborhood. Interesting, most of my students are Chinese or Indian. It seems that those ethnic groups have more appreciation for the positive effects of musical training than the local white yuppies. They tend to be better students, too. Plan C: Selling violins and accessories (see sig), Webhosting, Affiliate marketing, etc. All of my Plan C activities together generate only a tiny fraction of my income, but they are fun. Burning the candle at both ends is really quite exiting... Fortunately, my wife (a CPA) has a real job with bennies, so it is feasible for me to strike out on my own if I need to. I'm also blessed with really good health. Right now, I'm enjoying writing graphics software while I still can, and I will hang on to this position as long as I can.
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Rajesh R Subramanian wrote:
(will involve NO writing of code, I can sit on my arse all day, must fill in time sheets,
I'd rather gauge my eyes out with a pointy stick.
Software Kinetics (requires SL3 beta) - Moving software
careful what you wish for - you'll end up with bad eyesight which will cause you to end up in management as you won't be able to see the screen well enough for coding....
Opium is my business. The bridge mean more traffic. More traffic mean more money. More money mean more power. Speed is important in business. Time is money. You said opium was money. Money is Money. Well then, what is time again? icalburner
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martin_hughes wrote:
Oh well, never mind. Worse things happen at sea and that sort of thing. Not many worse things happen at sea, mind - maybe the sinking of the Titanic is about equal.
I was performing a witty repartee on the lesser known Outer Mongolian Gakbulaan Marg bird's eating habits on the Titanic I'll have you know. Those vicious rumours that they scuttled the ship rather then listen to me for another night are utterly unfounded!
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