In mid 40s. What non-tech job can I do?

I took some time off to teach. Years later, I'm still doing it.

I teach computer science and programming. This is a good field to go into, because (a) it applies my knowledge acquired from my earlier life as a developer, and (b) is always in demand. If you want to teach this, you will have no trouble getting a job at a high school, community college, or university.

I would also argue it's not, strictly speaking, a technology job. Teaching is a people-oriented job, regardless of the subject.

If you're burned out now, you're not a good place to be making decisions about what you should do next. Since you've already planned to take at least a 6 month break, don't start thinking about what to do next for at least 3 months. You'll be able to consider what you want from your work with a clearer mind.

If you've been working for 20 years nonstop, the idea of a break or not knowing what to do is probably utterly alien to you. Take some time to get comfortable with it.

In case my personal experience helps: I worked for a startup for a few years and it was an awful experience, I was totally burned out. I did some interviews immediately after because "I need a job" and it was a terrible experience for both me and my interviewers because I was resentful of everything and everyone. I ended up taking a few months off and realized that I still enjoyed technology, just not the startup and agency environments I'd been in. My career ever since has been focused on non-profit open source projects and it's been great.

Personally, I found the problem isn't engineering. I do that for free in my spare time. It's dealing with corporate bullshit that grinds me down.

As such, helping worthy causes with their technology problems can be hugely rewarding.

Consider:

* technical writing

* QA

* office manager (Put everything into a ticketing system with reminder alerts. Don't give anyone else access. Nearly everything an office manager does is a ticket with a deadline and a series of subtasks. The difference between an excellent office manager and a terrible one is their attention to detail. Outsource that to a computer.)

* Logistics/shipping management. (Everything I said about office manager, but with more phone calls.)

There are so many non-technical jobs in tech companies, which are so much better in the hands of someone that understands technology. Consider the skills and knowledge you have, and see where else you can apply them.

Often these roles are far less stressful

As others said, teaching may be a viable option. But many teaching jobs require a Masters Degree even for grade school (which I think is nuts).

But I know a few co-workers did well opening up a pizza shop :). That was many years ago. In anycase, owing a business will even eat more time than working in tech.

I've observed several people in my network leave tech and go into financial planning or real estate. I've also seen people go into teaching and/or into endeavors like small scale agriculture and custom furniture. Depends a lot on your personal skills, motivation, location, and savings.

Bicycle mechanic. At least that's what I'll probably do next whether my current startup is a wild success or colossal failure. Either way... bike mechanic. :-)

Don't run away from tech.

Run towards something you like. What that is, depends on you.

I love being a UNIX sysadmin and there is nothing else I've ever wanted to do.

However, if I were in your position and didn't want to do this work I think I would either get formally certified as an electrician and do electrical work or I would get certified as a paramedic (not merely EMT/EMR) and work as a firefighter.

I think electrician is an easier route - especially if you are not very physically robust - but the firefighter route typically has a very good pension 20 years later.

Consider finding your “Why” first. Then decide what to do.

The method is really sound and you can do it within 2-3 hrs together with another person.

There is a book outlining the method. It’s called “Find Your Why: A Practical Guide for Discovering Purpose for You and Your Team“.

I did it with 2 friends. It was pretty eye opening for them.

Follow your hobby or curiosity, not other people's advice. You'll probably make less money, but is that the most important thing for you now?

I started helping my wife baking as well as setting up business selling baked goods online and at the farmers market while zooming with my tech friends on the other side of the planet at night and helping them at the margin with their new startup.

The baking business has been growing that demand is far surpassing our capacity. Right now having hard time hiring people to help in the kitchen. My knee is hurting because of standing and walking in the kitchen for at least 12 hrs non stop at least 5 days a week for the last few months. It's been highly therapeutic and very satisfying though.

If you have a ability to not work for a few months I would look at the Volunteer in Parks program with National Park Service.

Health and fitness.

Get certified (about $500, NASM or ACE) and become a personal trainer/group fitness coach/similar.

I haven't done this myself but it's at the top of my list when the time is right.

Public Schools are looking for STEM teachers.

My post tech dream job is working the returns desk at Costco.

Oh you ran this suit case through a wood chipper? Cool. Here is your money back.

Low stress and hopefully good benefits.

Be a scrum master. That has got to be the easiest job on the planet.

I started in finance and got into tech. Was a product manager. After my last lay off I decided not to go back to being employed.

I’m creating info products (ebooks, online courses, digital products) and doing micro-coaching (unstuckin15.com). I love that I own my own time and can create whatever I’m inspired by.

I highly recommend mixing with freelance work in the beginning until your projects cover your income. If you explore this, join Daniel Vassallo’s community. It’s full of solopreneurs.

With your background there’s probably tons of products you can create.

OnlyFans, Etsy, Fiverr, start streaming on Twitch (if you can travel then IRL is basically a gold mine)

For all those who successfully transitioned:

Did you already own your home?

I live in a HCOL area, and rent. Time off or transition to hobby-job that pays less, even if I have a lot of savings, means risking my ability to find a new rental if I need to move. Landlords want to see cash flow or they suspect you. Also rents are going crazy in the US.

Why leave tech? Just imagine what you want to change about your job and find an employer that fits that criteria.

One tech guy I know fizzled out and went to grow mushrooms.

Maybe you'd find the story of how I transitioned out of tech into psychotherapy interesting: http://glench.com/WhyIQuitTechAndBecameATherapist/

I started teaching in further education when I turned 50. I'm really enjoying working with people again as I see it. It has it's own challenges. In saying that, if I contacted a colleague in the evening or the weekend they would assume I was either sick or had to attend a funeral the next day ;-)

I got into construction and organic high intensity farming.

Life is great, low stress. And I don't have to take any guff.

Find an ecommerce company to work for. You'll ship much faster and have a huge impact.

Get a forge, tools and iron.

Forge swords, axes, knives.

Why? A SWORD, made by you, using your muscles that maybe you don't know you have. It must to be fun.

Or do gardening.

Or as I talk with friends when I'm burned out: a fruit store with no more technology than paper and a pencil to do maths.

Maybe consider working for yourself instead of a regular job. Bootstrapping your own startup, or working for a startup. Especially if you are flexible about pay, you can find much more relaxed and less political projects.

Farming? Modern farming is more like project management, hiring management company, hiring operation company, corps planning, taking to banks, managing finance, managing subcontractors, sales, etc.

There's always landlording. Buy a tatty place, do it up a bit, rent it out, remortgage, buy another. It tends to be fairly part time so you can spend time on other things too.

I have a friend who took time off around same age and became a commercial pilot. He enjoyed it but came back to dev eventually as he missed tech pay.

Have you seen videos of people who clean concrete with a power washer? Looks very relaxing and therapeutic, so maybe get certified in applied surface cleaning imo

-- know tech guy who now drives uber and LOVES it --

None, why do you think I'm doing it? Because it's so much fun sitting at a computer alone day in day out?

How about life/career coach? If you have any passion in the area of human psychology, obviously.

I'm going to a commune in Vermont and will deal with no unit of time shorter than a season

Content moderator for large corp. They look for ppl with more life experience apparently.

Start a lawncare company.

Start looking in how you do things rather in what you do.

Beekeeper

Carpenter

Start a PhD.

Become an entrepreneur. You can start your own business from scratch or look for local businesses for sale.

Dedicate yourself to learning finance and FIRE appropriately. Take up Options Trading.