Ask HN: Former devs who can't get a job, what did you end up doing for work?

Re:Ask HN: Former devs who can't get a job, what did you end... by xyst on Thursday February 27, 2025 @10:36AM (#43195328)

> I am in my mid-70s now

It says something about society that asks people to work well beyond their retirement age.

I hope you are only looking because it gives you purpose rather than doing it because it’s necessary (ie, medical bills, rent). If it’s the latter, very dystopian and on par for this neoliberal economic hellhole we live in.

Personally, if I get to that age. I am cashing in my chips. No way I am working for soulless corporations, whether that’s part time or full time.

I would much rather “retire” and work on my own open source projects or contribute to FOSS projects I like. Worst case scenario, I become a wood worker ;)

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Re:Ask HN: Former devs who can't get a job, what did you end... by ipatch on Thursday February 27, 2025 @12:27PM (#43196445)

nothing wrong with carpentry

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Re:Ask HN: Former devs who can't get a job, what did you end... by matt_s on Saturday March 01, 2025 @08:07PM (#43226001)

Especially if you build a banana stand. I hear there’s always money in a banana stand.

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Re:Ask HN: Former devs who can't get a job, what did you end... by srdesigner on Thursday February 27, 2025 @12:43PM (#43196592)

I am 61 and still working at a tech startup. I love startups. I do not have to work any more (not wealthy due to an exit, but I have enough with normal savings and investments to stop now.) In my line of work (not an engineer, but engineer adjacent, lol) it is unusual for someone my age to be employed- it's a young person's game. But I am fortunate because I have attributes that many lack, including extreme tolerance for ambiguity (at work, not at life.)

I work because I like it. I like being around smart people doing smart things. But in a couple of years, I will stop working and just spend time lifting weights, practicing bjj and painting.

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Re:Ask HN: Former devs who can't get a job, what did you end... by darcwader on Friday March 07, 2025 @09:39AM (#43290520)

i am 40 and am worried about retirement. what sort of retirement planning did you do? how much do you think is a good plan. i love startups, i see similar aspiration to continue to work for startups till 60. i am not interested in creating any sort of generational weath or such as i am already doing what i would like to do, large sum of money won't change anything. but i am asking so i can be a bit peaceful to know some advise from my senior.

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Re:Ask HN: Former devs who can't get a job, what did you end... by tra3 on Thursday February 27, 2025 @12:52PM (#43196669)

> It says something about society that asks people to work well beyond their retirement age.

I dont think that's what's going on here. If you click on OP's profile you'll see that he's written a bunch of books. He also mentions Common Lisp and Racket, not exactly go to languages for soul-less corporations. My take is he's doing it for the love of the craft.

I aspire to do this too when I'm at that age. I've been through a few career iterations with the only constant being is that I love to make things.

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