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Ask HN: Those of you who left tech, how has it been?

by jc_811 on 11/3/24, 1:57 PM with 2 comments

I’m sure we’ve all dreamt of leaving tech (as your main source of income) at some point (due to any number of reasons).

For those that have done it: - How long ago did you make the change? - What’s your new venture like? - Any regrets? - Any advice to the day dreamers out there?

  • by kgf1980 on 11/3/24, 3:30 PM

    I left tech (C# developer for a partner reselling/customising the MS XRM/Dynamics CRM platform in the UK a few years ago to get my HGV (CDL in the US?) license and drive trucks.

    Honestly, I love it, generally I talk to the office to get my route/keys at the start of the shift and I won’t talk to them again until the end of my shift.

    Money wise I’m earning more (but working longer/more “antisocial” hours) and I like when I drop my keys off I don’t have to think about work until my next shift, no emails while I’m off with “just one quick thing” I can genuinely enjoy not working.

    Made the change probably 2 years ago now, and lucked into a decent company who take on new drivers (most places want 1-2 years experience for insurance purposes) who I’ve been with since I started.

  • by DamonHD on 11/3/24, 2:00 PM

    I've "left" something like tech to do something overlapping with what I was recently, as a researcher (PhD student). It's going fine.