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Comment by x0z | Hacker News Reader

Having been an electrician turned dev, friends ask me if I miss it at times and I can honestly say I don't miss being covered in rat faeces and fibreglass. Much prefer my standing desk and clean air.

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Know what I miss about it? Having the satisfaction of doing a good job every couple days or week. Taking pride in jobs and regularly pleasing the people you are doing them for. Interacting with normal people who are grateful for you being there and helping, making you a cup of tea and a biscuit. These things are sorely missing from a career in development.

100%. A few months ago I walked away from a 5-year job in biotech programming a manufacturing execution system because I couldn't take interfacing with people thru a screen anymore. My boss was a chemist with an MBA, knew little about what I did, just how I had to follow regulations. I was so silo'd it was boring and lonely. The only highlight was working with the low-paid production staff on how to understand and improve their processes.

>electrician turned dev

I did the inverse, and while I don't enjoy poo and fibreglass, I do immensely enjoy the days I work outside in the spring and summer. Easily worth a bit of occasional poo. :)

Absolutely fair, I've got joint problems, so it just wasn't working for me anymore, but glad it is for you!

What do you think of the long term viability of the two careers?

Honestly as long as youre a capable person, both are viable. People will always need experienced individuals in a craft. Electricians aren't going away, but neither are devs, you'll always need people to understand things and more importantly, take responsibility for them.

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