Ask HN: What would you do if you didn't work in tech?

Posted by johnathandos 12/22/2025

This question generated some very interesting discussions in another online community I’m in. I would likely pursue a career in occupational therapy or speech-language pathology. I would love to do work that directly benefits the lives of others and to spend more time interacting with people from all walks.

62 points | 141 commentspage 8

tsumnia 12/22/2025|

Fly some drones, maybe thermal image wildlife

John23832 12/22/2025||

Electrician, some sort of doctor, or chef.

flashgordon 12/22/2025||

Frankly I really don't know what id don't not in tech. Closest I van think of is some kind of mathematician but don't even know what those "jobs" look like. Academia might be another. But these are all tech adjacent aren't they?

max_ 12/22/2025||

- Beekeeper

- Music producer

- Video director

- Astronomer/Physicist/Biologist

jlarocco 12/22/2025||

I've considered switching to land surveying, machining or fabricating.

I just hate the direction the software industry has gone (and is going), and once I buy a house and get some savings I want to get out.

dgeiser13 12/22/2025||

Audio Engineering and Production

antonmks 12/22/2025||

A plumber. Very resistant to AI.

anovikov 12/22/2025||

Soon we will all find it out.

speedgoose 12/22/2025|

If I don’t have to deal anymore with SopraSteria, perhaps the world would be better thanks to AI.

thehamkercat 12/23/2025||

If i didn't work in tech, I would work for tech.

I'm a linux user, but I hate that majority of MacOS apps/tools are Paid, and I want to change that

If money was not an issue, and I had all the time in this world, I'd start giving it all to Open-source software.

Starting with rewriting all the paid/subscription apps created for macOS.

For example, I'll create an exact replica of: - Alfred, Raycast, Bartender, BetterDisplayTool etc, but completely FOSS

schumpeter 12/22/2025|

Bus driver in SF or near a tech hub, so I can listen to mindless grifting and endless complaining by tech workers that would re-enforce the life decision I made.

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