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Comment by louprado | Hacker News Reader

Coincidentally 15 years ago a fellow engineer told me his plan was to keep the same job as long as possible, get to the point where it isn't demanding intellectually, clock in the minimum hours, and then find fulfillment through family, friends, and hobbies. He has built 3 homes in his spare time, is a millionaire, and has an amazing family.

It took me 15 years to realize he was right. I now work 4 hours a day as a .NET consultant and then spend the rest of day doing whatever I want. I am fulfilled, relaxed, healthy and respected.

Before abandoning what many believe to be a highly desirable profession, just cut back on your hours and revisit your feelings after a few months.

Lastly do not underestimate how smart and competitive people are in other industries. It can take many years before you build the skills and reputation where you can command $100k+. I'd argue it is 10X harder to for a small business owner to net $100k than it is to net $50k.

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I once rubbed a friend the wrong way when he said "maybe I'll just get out of tech, take a few years of courses and become an electrician or something like that. Make 100k and be happy with that... leave the computer behind."

My response was: "Fine plan but don't think you'll just go make 100k after a couple years of trade school and not have any stresses!"

A few people showed me I was wrong about that but we were also living in Alberta while oil was still strong. Had my friend taken this path he likely wouldn't have made 100k for long if at all (until he had much more experience).

Anyway, point being, it's hard to go make decent money even though we all meet people who seem to do so with what seems like little effort. Lots of folks say they make good money but their interpretation of "good money" might be much different than the yours.

I used to work in the oil industry (Alberta) when I was in undergrad. I was offered to quit school and get paid 90k.

Thanks god I rejected that offer and went to tech. Most of my friends were laughing that I was taking computing science. They were making 90-130k in the trades.

Then the recession hit and most of them are now unemployed or have taken a huge paycut.

I feel bad for them since they took out a mortgage and a 70k truck. I'm not angry at them for making fun of my career. I just wish people would respect people's career choice.

I would not advise a job in the oil industry if you are a minority in. I've heard lots of traumatic experiences from friends in Texas and Alberta.

Lots of good reviews in Norway though

Houston oil execs: we need you to help us negotiate with this Arab guy.

Iranian-American: but I'm Iranian. Not Arab.

Execs: blank stares Same thing though right?

Happened. That said, I wouldn't expect one to experience any malice in a corporate Texas environment based on ethnicity or race. Rather, there's often a narrow perspective, in that they want you to be as Texan as possible, ideally an alumnus of their favorite Texas university, and stick to the norms, as opposed to say NYC where diverse experiences are appreciated more.

Yes, I've noticed if you have Texan culture in you, they welcome you with open arms.

Great comment. I think I have similar goals - work on a job for about 4 hours a day so that I can do what the rest of the time. I have 2 questions:

1. Did you get the 4-hr job after a history of working full-time for the company? Or are there companies looking for people to work reduced hours?

2. Given that its 4 hrs, is it a live-able wage? I know it depends on where you live but my actual question is - does the job pay more per-hour just because its reduced hours?

Thanks in advance for your reply.

> 1. Did you get the 4-hr job after a history of working full-time for the company?

Yes, I worked full time for about 3 years. I established myself as someone that focused on the customer, company, and group's interest over my own. Once you successfully do that, you establish a strong sense of trust and can then start making requests that benefit you. Note I am an independent contractor.

> Or are there companies looking for people to work reduced hours?

If you are competent and your team relies on you to help make important decisions, then your employer will do what it takes to keep you.

> 2. "Given that its 4 hrs, is it a live-able wage?"

Somewhat. I wouldn't have reduced my hours without first having a little secondary income. After sometime, I reduced my hours to 35 hours a week (9 to 5 plus hour lunch), then I was able to work on side projects and get income properties. Once my side project started making $2k/mo and income property netted over $1k/mo, I reduced my work hours considerably.

> Does the job pay more per-hour just because its reduced hours?

No, but that has to do more with my personal negotiation strategy. I value working less hours and flexible deadlines. In good conscience I have to then offer a concession such as not raising my bill rate for a few years.

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