Comment by ljf | Hacker News Reader

Comment by ljf | Hacker News Reader

I think the key question here (looking at some of your other answers below), if not how, but what.

What are you passionate about? Project management? Product? Problem solving?

Once you have an idea of the area you would like to work, in you need to think about what you will bring to that role - why does someone need you?

If you are non technical (currently) you might steer towards test, product, BA, marketing. If you want to be technical you will need to think about how you can achieve those skills in your own time - esp as it doesn't sound like you have any time right now.

Sounds like you cope with stress and pressure well - so that is a good start, but don't fall into another high pressure role just because you can. For me pressure and stress always have to be worth the reward.

When you live paycheck to paycheck, there is really no room to think about or espouse passion, value, or achievement. Language can be very hierarchical, and often creates barriers to entry between in groups and out groups.

While I understand what you are saying, unless you have some context, the above values are useless to think about and may even be detrimental, unless you have some sort of algebraic commutation of language.

However, if you can evaluate some of these terms in your own life, and find others that also value the same things, and communicate in the same terms in an interview then, yes that may work.

Totally agree. But if the op is looking to jump into tech, they will need to at least have an idea of the sort of role they want, and to be aware of those different roles in an average tech company. I was trying to point out the route doesn't have to be technical if they don't have those skills today, there may well be things they are already doing that would both sit well with an employer and still be something they enjoy.

OP - feel free to ask me any questions about other roles, happy to expand. Was a product guy myself and more recently work in strategy and transformation. Since you have asked the question here (hacker news) - I have assumed a level of knowledge of the industry and roles, but happy to help you (or others!) if of use.

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