I have Special Interests (pixel-perfect UIs, the overall ‘feel’ of software, old computers, obsolete media like floppies, useless machines, etc.) that my brain finds extremely stimulating and rewarding and I’m able to devote hours to creating things that scratch these itches. Unfortunately neither the job market, nor anyone else actually, sees beauty there where I see it and so they will not value it (that includes financially). Meanwhile, there are other things like machine learning or cell biology that my brain is also very well equipped for but I don’t spend time learning them because they don’t draw me to them the way my SIs do (I have ADHD so the stimulation level of activities is quite decisive). This is a handicap because it leaves me fixated on several irrelevant things which I did not choose. How do you guys deal with this?
Have you considered a career in operational technology computing? Industrial systems use archaic control systems at all kinds of manufacturing facilities. You can’t just upgrade a 40 year old CNC router from a bankrupt company because something is wrong with the 486 hooked to it. Not easy to find repair people either.
Hmm might look onto this. Although I guess what I’m unhappy about is that there are other things I’d be interested to learn (like the ML), but my special interests tend to distract me from them.
If you’re happy with the work you do, and that happens to be messing with old stuff, and you’ll likely be able to make a career out of it, then do AI and stuff as a hobby?