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Ask HN: I'm a DS, and I want to leave tech

by kj4211cash on 1/5/23, 6:16 AM with 22 comments

I'm in my mid-40's and am near the top of the IC ladder as a DS in the Valley. I am losing my motivation to keep going. This probably isn't burn out, as my job has been surprisingly relaxed for the last year. I like most of my colleagues. Just not enthused to build one more sklearn model. I could switch companies and that might excite me for a few weeks or months, but I'm guessing that's it.

I don't have the personality or desire to be a people manager or a PM. I like to do the thing not manage the people doing the thing. I've tried managing and the results haven't been great. At the same time, I'm not very interested in the engineering side of DS work. So I'm guessing DE, MLE, and SWE positions are not a great fit.

I've thought about teaching. I have a PhD and was on the tenure track for awhile. But no R1 university would hire me at this age. I don't know how I'd even get the reference letters to finish an application. The workload also seems insane. My friends in academia are miserable. (Side note: how and why did we as a society ruin that job?). The idea of teaching at a teaching college or high school appeals to me in theory. But then I think about the change in salary.

So what comes next? Maybe try to make a small startup? Maybe switch to carpentry or farming? Tough it out for another decade until I can retire? What do people do after they get bored of tech?

  • by WheelsAtLarge on 1/5/23, 6:55 AM

    You don't have to transfer to a different career in one shot. Do it gradually. Pick what you like and go from there.

    A big advantage you have is that you have a well paying job now. Continue with your job, save a bit, and make the change when you are financially comfortable. Tech pays very well. You should be able to do it relatively soon.

    I had a teacher a while back that taught an intro to CS once a week. His goal was to retire from his day job and teach full time. I don't know if he did it but he was starting when I met him. You can try the same thing.

  • by p1esk on 1/5/23, 2:38 PM

    Just not enthused to build one more sklearn model.

    Why not? If you were a carpenter this would be analogous to “building one more cabinet”. Teaching would be even worse (explaining the same thing for a thousandth time). Literally any job would require you to do “one more thing” on a regular basis. It sounds like you need an attitude adjustment.

  • by Shinmon on 1/5/23, 7:07 AM

    > This probably isn't burn out, as my job has been surprisingly relaxed for the last year.

    Maybe it's bore out instead. It kind of feels like you need a hobby to fill "a void" that gives you purpose.

    > So what comes next? Maybe try to make a small startup? Maybe switch to carpentry or farming? Tough it out for another decade until I can retire? What do people do after they get bored of tech?

    - Startup: Lot of work, minimal pay in the beginning. Might be perfect to get back into the groove, but doesn't sound like you actually want that.

    - Carpentry/Farming: Why not. Definitely gives living more meaning in my eyes. Hard work and you will likely ruin your body earlier than you want.

    How about reducing working hours if that is an option and then take on volunteering work that has a meaning to you or teach/mentor kids.

    > Side note: how and why did we as a society ruin that job?

    Pretty much the moment someone decided that your publication count is an important metric to get funded.

  • by thensome on 1/5/23, 5:50 PM

    I switched fields entirely to get out of teaching. It is kinda fun but also very stressful and very underpaid. If teaching paid well i would probably keep doing it, but i can't afford to dedicate that much time to something if I'm not making enough money to pay someone to help out at home.

    My mom is still in software, and she says her plan for after software is to be a cashier at trader Joe's and spend all her free time going hiking and to the beach. She's about to be 60. If you're gonna go for a random-ass job, make it something that doesn't require a new education or physical skill unless you're already very physically skilled. You're gonna have a major drop in salary, and that's just something you have to plan for. If you think about it and you value the change in lifestyle more than the money then go for it.

  • by graderjs on 1/5/23, 6:43 AM

    Train data science model to win at stock market? Open an nth-wave coffee shop? Artisanal pigeon food for coop's with refined tastes? Become YouTuber (start your own "contemporary R1" educational syllabus ;))?

  • by baremetal on 1/5/23, 11:51 AM

    > Maybe switch to carpentry or farming?

    I would only advise something like that if you don't have a mortgage (or dependents?) and you have a several years worth of living expenses saved, in addition to any required investment (property, equipment). Also be prepared for hard work. It is very rewarding though; driving by some building you built, with people living or working in it. Same with feeding people.

    > Maybe try to make a small startup?

    Try to find a market niche and exploit it, regardless of what market it is in. But you realize you may end up managing people. Trying to manage people within a large corporation sounds like a nightmare to me, given the current climate. But in your own business it may be quite rewarding. It is for me.

  • by marssaxman on 1/5/23, 3:27 PM

    What does "DS" stand for?

  • by GianFabien on 1/5/23, 9:08 AM

    Maybe it isn't the tech that you are bored with but the application of that tech.

    In my view there is a huge difference in using your DS skills to produce actuarial tables for an insurance company or using the same skills, but with very different data inputs, to optimize sustainable fishing or farming. Well you did mention farming.

  • by uptownfunk on 1/5/23, 4:31 PM

    Find your passion and follow it! Mid 40s is not at all too late. Don’t let the sour folks on here kill your dreams and happiness.

    Now you don’t have to do that overnight.. ease up on your job, try new things to find a passion and test if you can make a living out of it (if you need to…) and if it works then go for it!

  • by daniel71l on 1/5/23, 4:07 PM

    As being in similar situation in the past, you are asking questions of meaning..

    Why am I here? What is my value as a person?

    As you mention, it seems your true calling is sharing your knowledge and teaching

    Perhaps taking time to discuss what makes you enjoy will be fruitful

    I have more to discuss, you are welcome to be in touch via email (see my profile)

  • by f0e4c2f7 on 1/5/23, 6:08 PM

    The startup or starting your own consulting firm route seems like it might interest you at this point.

    You could work on something directly using your ML skills, do consulting work, or offer coaching / classes.

    The coaching route in particular might be an enjoyable way to have the good parts of teaching a class.

  • by shanebellone on 1/5/23, 2:08 PM

    Developing a product might be a good option but it's risky and will take time. It's difficult staying focused and motivated long-term. I've been "almost ready" to launch an analytics SaaS for months.

    Hope you find something that excites you again. Good luck.

  • by WantonQuantum on 1/5/23, 6:57 AM

  • by faangiq on 1/5/23, 5:09 PM

    This may not be burnout but boredom. Find something you’re interested in and go for it.