Ask HN: What are cognitively demanding Jobs that involve physical activity? | Hacker News Reader

Ask HN: What are cognitively demanding Jobs that involve physical activity?

4 pointswerzum9 comments

Hello HN,

as typical CS engineer, I spend most of my time at a desk. The problem is: I don't even like spending time at my desk. I don't like sitting and staring at a screen for days, weeks and probably years on end. Now say that I'd want to get away from said desk, while still doing those task most of us relish and take pride in - thinking, organizing, solving problems in creative ways.

So as main questions: Do you actively work in or know of a profession that enables you to have it all - physical activity, creativity, problem solving?

I know that there are many ways to alleviate the problems of sitting and staring at a screen for too long like intermediate pauses, standing desks, treadmills and so forth - but I want to look forward to the activity itself, not find ways of making it bearable.

Thanks for your input

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Off the top of my head:

- Infantry Small Unit Leader or Officer: Involves tons of thinking about small unit tactics and logistics, planning missions, etc. My military experience was quite demanding mentally as well as physically.

- Martial Arts Instructor: I'm currently learning Brazilian Jiu Jitsu and it's both physically and mentally demanding. The strategy aspect can be quite deep. Adding the demands of teaching and instructing others brings in a whole other set of considerations. It takes a few years of training before you can start instructing other people and ~10 years of training before you can become a black belt which would enable you be an instructor in your own right.

I have worked a few projects which involved plenty of physical activity as an engineer. Look for companies in health and fitness, or defense. I spent lots of time in prototype labs, out in the field doing tests, and exercising while wearing various sensors we were working on.

I found that these jobs did not pay as well as pure boring Software, but the projects were fun and always engaging.

"dirtwork" construction. Get yerself an excavator, dumptruck, and trailer. The "swimming pool digger" kit. Then hire out to do all the jobs that that set of gear can do, which is a lot. Most of the work involved will be operating the equipment, which is not killing hard but not sedentary, and every job will be different enough to engage your brain.

Field scientist, some sort of investigator (although some types involve a LOT of waiting around), code inspector (not that the ones I've seen have used any real cognition), possibly a diagnostic mechanic?

I’m a manual machinist. I think it fits your criteria.

I recently left software development partially because of the complaints you mentioned.

Machining doesn’t pay much these days though so don’t expect software money

I guess people want their stuff fast (COTS) and cheap (China) these days. Just the material/stock costs can be much more than a finished item from China, without even adding in the labor. At least that's what I've seen when I've investigated having different things made. Usually I've opted to abandon my planned project because something that would provide me $20 of utility would cost me $200 to have made.

Some professions that come to mind: Veterinarian, blacksmith, sculptor, metal work, doing artisanal pottery/stoneware.

* Electrician * Construction site manager * Surveyor * Field engineer * Aircraft technician * Mechanic * Quality inspector * etc.

Special effect people for cinema were like this. Now to a lesser degree, because so many things are done via rendering.

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