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Re:Ask HN: Reasons to stay in Software Engineering by a3n on Sunday July 15, 2018 @11:51AM (#17535718)
Like EE, the exposure to various Fields is potentially huge. It was my favorite thing about software, after software itself.

With my BSCS, I worked in aerospace, telecommunications, finance focused MoM (we are dated by our buzzwords), manufacturing supply chains, indigent health insurance, auto sales, dark pool trading, and medical device manufacturing.

I'm now out of software because I was a B player, and my freshness date expired.

Now I'm a long distance semi truck driver, and I'm currently sitting in my Kenworth T680 as I write this. It's the ultimate experience if you're a loner.

I miss the money, and the software writing itself, but I've never had a meeting since I started truck driving. I don't miss the development practices churn, or what I call work about work.

I do still automate some parts of my personal administrivia, mostly with python and Bash.

Re:Ask HN: Reasons to stay in Software Engineering by fermienrico on Sunday July 15, 2018 @11:55AM (#17535741)
Could you please shed some light on what made you pursue Truck driving after being a software developer (besides the meetings of course)? Was it out of choice or necessity?
Re:Ask HN: Reasons to stay in Software Engineering by a3n on Sunday July 15, 2018 @12:03PM (#17535775)
Necessity. After leaving a software QA job without the next job in hand, I had one interview in a year. Blame it on whatever you want, that was my reality.

As for truck driving ... "They were hiring."

EDIT: I do enjoy it, it's a big and beautiful country, and the work is pretty easy.

Re:Ask HN: Reasons to stay in Software Engineering by pandler on Sunday July 15, 2018 @12:04PM (#17535781)
Now that you’re a truck driver, what are your thoughts on the future of that industry with regards to self driving trucks? E.g. is it something drivers are worried about in your experience?
Re:Ask HN: Reasons to stay in Software Engineering by a3n on Sunday July 15, 2018 @12:13PM (#17535820)
I've been driving less than 6 months, so my exposure to other drivers is limited, and exposure to other drivers is naturally limited anyway, you just drive.

I think a few drivers are worried about it, and a larger number are dismissive of it.

My opinion is that it's going to happen because it's possible, and because it must.

There just aren't people who are willing to be truck drivers. Shortages on the shelves and rising prices are already happening, because there's more things that need shipping then there are drivers to pull them. it's not just because of Amazon, it's everything.

Side note, if you like the idea of exposure to different fields as a software developer, blockchain is going to be pretty important in trucking, for bills of lading and similar record keeping and tracking.