Ask HN: Is it worth taking a year off?

I'd love to spend a year just experimenting with AI, building stuff, and documenting the whole thing.

My fear is it would ruin my career trajectory and I'd become un-hire-able in the future.

1 points | by thepaulthomson 1 hour ago

3 comments

  • tim-tday 23 minutes ago
    How would learning about cutting-edge tech ruin your career? Are you an historian?

    If you’re in tech just found an LLC (legal zoom $300) call yourself founder and CEO. Declare it as stealth AI startup on LinkedIn. Even if you never release anything (unlikely) The valley loves failure so you’re fine either way.

    “Founded a startup that never went anywhere” is not an uncommon story.

  • turtleyacht 1 hour ago
    Experience is cumulative. A single year is not bad. Plus it's relevant to your work or industry.
    [-]
    • thepaulthomson 1 hour ago
      I just don't know if recruiters or hiring managers would buy that. It feels like non-traditional career paths get penalized
      [-]
      • turtleyacht 1 hour ago
        Benefit of the doubt is they're looking for ways to help qualify you, so education and existing experience easily overrides gaps. As always, it depends.

        A year is full of distractions. Maybe better to find ways to AI in your present.

        [-]
      • blinkbat 1 hour ago
        How long have you worked in this field?
        [-]
  • blinkbat 1 hour ago
    If you can afford it and stay on top of the art, it's fine