My career is over before it started, what next?

Question

Greetings HN, I am a math researcher and programmer who is not able to get a job or funding in my area of expertise. I was ostracized from university and given a "respect violation" because I asked a woman on a date in an email. Now I'm not able to find any way to get funding for continuing my research and career.My current plan is to just keep learning and working on my math research and software frameworks, but I have no idea how to actually move my career forward.Github: https://github.com/chakravalaIn today's society, it's impossible for a math interested person like me to make money or have a career it seems. The only thing that matters to the outside world is not having a degree, so I'm worthless to everybody who funds research or pays people for mathematical software.My only plan is to keep working on my research independently, until I am able to find some funding or career options related to math and programming.

rossdavidh · Accepted Answer

Depending on the seriousness of the "respect violation", I believe there are plenty of local colleges where one can get a degree in computer science or some other related major, and from there get a job in programming. If what you did is actually just ask a woman out in an email, this would not be a dealbreaker for most colleges.Not sure what country you're in, but there are also definitely in the U.S. employers who will hire a programmer that does not have a degree (although some won't), as long as you can demonstrate that you can program.

gigatexal · Answer

I can&rsquo;t speak to the reason for you being kicked out of your position. There might be more to why you&rsquo;re telling but nevertheless have you considered applying your math skills as a developer? Dev shops, if you don&rsquo;t have any predilection to further let-me-go-get-HR activities while at work, these companies will clamor for your talent. Someone with your math skills will likely pick up the more complicated bits &mdash; there&rsquo;s even theoretical computer scientists making a really good living at places like Microsoft Research.If you wanted to stay in research though perhaps there&rsquo;s some penance you can do and someone who would give you a chance at a new place? People make mistakes doesn&rsquo;t mean we need to ruin someone&rsquo;s career over it.

hermitcrab · Answer

>given a "respect violation" because I asked a woman on a date in an email
That seems like an extreme response. But I have no idea of the context or the nuances.
If it is just what you say it is (and you can back it up) then I would hope most software companies wouldn't hold it against you.
Lots of demand for programmers with good maths skills in computer graphics, machine learning, data science and any number of other areas. I suggest you create some software that demonstrates your skills. IMHO that would make your more employable than someone with a degree and no project to show.

WheelsAtLarge · Answer

There are plenty of careers that have math as it's base subject. Research what else you might like to get into and move forward on that. Getting a job in academia is already hard so adding the violation will make it impossible. You need to come to grips with that and move on to something else. If you're lucky you might even get a research job in the private sectors. You have a bright future you just have to switch your goals a bit.

jimmyvalmer · Answer

It sounds like your career in academia is over. In truth, your a priori chances of making it as a professional mathematician and raising a family with academia pay was very, very slim. Not a big loss, expected-value-wise, so cheer up!You can easily find a schlub programming job paying six figures. Just remember to keep it in your pants, brah!