I was a software developer for 3 years and decided it wasn’t for me as I enjoyed the outdoors much more. I had enough savings to take 6 months off where I took time to read books and try and discover something else I was excited about. I had a short stint in writing, and ended up very interested in agriculture. I then spent the entire next summer working on organic farms and traveling.

I eventually was running short on money, so started contacting as a cloud developer. I make more in six months as a contractor than I did as a full-time employee. I do not have benefits, but happen to be married to someone that does.

I have a greater appreciation for software after taking a six month break and working hard labor. I also realized how much I enjoy being an engineer. My plan now has been to contract six months on six months off for the inevitable future.

It’s been absolutely fantastic and am now exploring different types of engineering that fit my personality more. I also completed my career “flower” which taught me a lot about myself and my potential livelihood. I highly recommend that activity and got the idea from a book called “what color is your parachute?”