Trading up

August 13, 2021 6:31 AM

Thinking about a career shift from software engineering to something more hands-on — what jobs should I consider?

I studied computer science in school and I’ve been working as a software engineer for about 4 years (I’m 27). I’m good at it and I enjoy a lot of things about it, but I also have anxiety and ADHD and I’m becoming increasingly miserable sitting at a desk in an office all day. I’ve always enjoyed building things, DIY projects and working with my hands, and I’ve gradually realized I’m much happier when I’m moving my body more. I’d like to explore some jobs that still make use of my technical or problem-solving skills but also involve more physical work and varied job sites. I’m looking for inspiration on what jobs to consider — maybe the perfect job for me is out there and I don’t even know it yet! I’m thinking along the lines of jobs in the trades, but a more white-collar job could potentially fit the bill as well if it checks off enough items on my wish list.

Here’s a partial wish list of things that appeal to me:

- Some degree of intellectual challenge — not necessarily tech-related, but I want to use my brain
- Some element of working with my hands — building, fixing, or installing things
- I’m willing to do 1-2 years of training if needed, plus apprenticeships
- Looking for something that’s in demand in most major metro areas, so I have flexibility to move if I want. I currently live in Montréal (and I do speak French).
- Possibility to eventually earn high-5-figures or low-6-figures
- Possibility to eventually become an independent contractor or sole proprietor
- Driving around to different job sites and working on short projects/tasks appeals to me. I like talking to people and using my skills to solve their problems.
- Reasonable work/life balance, no more than 40hrs/wk. Slightly less would be great.
- Early mornings are OK. Weird/varied hours are also OK if I have some control over the hours.
- Not into constant hard labor, lifting heavy things occasionally is fine but I don’t want it to be the main part of the job
- Don’t want to be a manager, at least not until very late in my career.
- I’m a woman, and most of the jobs I’m considering are male-dominated. I expect I’ll have to deal with some degree of shittiness around that, but the less shitty, the better!
- Nothing related to oil and gas extraction, that’s a hard line for me

Finding all of these things in a single job might be a pie in the sky, but I’m looking for ideas and inspiration! Just to give you an idea, here are some of the types of jobs I’ve considered: electrician, network equipment installer, factory automation technician, HVAC technician, plumber, carpenter.

posted by mekily to Work & Money (10 answers total)

Get a job writing sw for an industry that appeals to you, then after a while try work your way into another job in that industry.
posted by falsedmitri at 6:45 AM on August 13, 2021

Good machinists are getting hard to come by. This can be a great combination of hands on tool work along with analysis / application of g-code for modern CNC machines.
posted by nickggully at 6:50 AM on August 13, 2021

If you want to stay in tech, find a place that does tech-adjacent work that still uses your tech skills. I work for a company that does surveillance and access control systems, and there's lots of tech needed, you get to work between different problems often, and it's new and exciting. I'm trying to find people to do the work now myself.
posted by deezil at 6:55 AM on August 13, 2021 [1 favorite]

sent you a me-mail!
posted by sillysally at 7:00 AM on August 13, 2021

Something in laboratory automation, like liquid handlers, could fit the bill.
posted by christa at 7:06 AM on August 13, 2021

I think welding is in demand a lot.
posted by NotLost at 9:17 AM on August 13, 2021

I know a person who was a software engineer, wasn't satisfied with it, enjoyed electrical + networking + HVAC types of work, and gradually shifted into running a solo business doing IT contract work for businesses and nonprofits. They use software engineering as part of the work, but they also do a lot of hands-on work - installing hardware devices and networking equipment of various kinds (including surveillance hardware when needed), oversight of HVAC technicians, ensuring electrical systems are sufficient, ordering and setting up air filtering devices, setting up signs to remind people about policies, sometimes writing policies. It even has some minor carpentry involved, like setting up networking equipment on plywood boards to make them easier to mount on a wall. It does requires a lot of talking to people, asserting authority in polite ways, researching new things to learn them on the job, and being very organized, but it meets this person's interests a lot better than sitting at a desk all day did!
posted by dreamyshade at 10:49 AM on August 13, 2021 [1 favorite]

I come from a family of engineers, so I ended up in informatics, and they ended up in pharma and flipping houses/boats/small bz/misc do-anything.

Anything engineering-based sounds like a good fit.

Jobs I wish I knew about before I went down my SO-much-ed pathway: fish technician (with fish and wildlife, not the fish bios because they're in the office, the tech does cool shit in the field), civil engineer, city planner(!!), public health (mph, without a doctorate).

Things I'd consider in your place: audio/AV tech, electrician (union is good), machinist (they troubleshoot so much!), some flavor of engineer adjacent to where you are now, solar tech or residential solar sales or install, similar for bath/kitchen contractor (either designer, sales, PM, or install, or starting in one and moving into one of the otbers).

Trades are so hot in this area I was told one GC was booked out "2 to 3 YEARS" when I called for a quote. Electric, plumbing, counters, cabinets, tile, etc.
posted by esoteric things at 1:05 PM on August 13, 2021

The worlds of 3D printers and CNC machines might work for you. Definitely some carry over from programming. Definitely working with solid objects, perhaps objects that need handwork after they come out of the machine.
posted by SemiSalt at 1:29 PM on August 13, 2021

Solar Installer checks all the boxes, especially if you eventually work for yourself.

You get the certifications & licenses for your state, and can get a leg-up if you learn a lot of types of systems aside from just your standard rooftop grid-tied system (for example, off-grid systems, off-grid with the different battery and inverter types, hybrid systems) and keep up with the new tech that's always coming out.

You will be in demand wherever you go, but especially on the coasts, the southwest, and in Texas.

A lot of installers will work for a solar company and learn the ropes, then branch out and work for themselves. I've known a few folks who were very successful at this, one is the go-to off-grid guy if you're rich and need a massive system installed in Northern CA.

If you know how to work with the equipment to meet people's extremely varying needs, know how to help people untangle the byzantine and ever-changing world of local permitting approval, and can make your work look beautiful (if this sounds funny you have not seen the wiring some people get away with), you will be head and shoulders above the rest.

Also, I'm a woman in the solar industry and we need you. There is no good reason solar is a male-dominated industry aside from the ridiculous notion that electrical work is inherently for men.
posted by moons in june at 1:32 AM on August 14, 2021 [2 favorites]