I did it. Not being a Plummer. I changed from being a programmer to working in sustainable mobility (railways). Did an MBA in the field, got a job at one of the largest companies in the field, supposedly with a fast track into decision roles. This is my outcome:
* I now work more hours than I did as a programmer
* I have to deal with a lot more bullshit, politics and doing annoying tasks
* In total I lost about 5 years of career, due to education and starting at a lower level in a different field (in North America this may not be so bad, in Europe they have difficulty counting years of experience in other fields)
* I lost 2 years of pay (education), then started work at half what my cs peers make. Since programming pay increased a lot, but mine didn't, I'm now at a third.
* Instead of a (internally) well respected expert feeling near the top of my particular field, I am sort of on the path of getting there
I did it because I didn't want to code for work anymore and actually shape the real world, but it's not exactly been an easy path. It should be considered well before doing it. Ymmv.
* I now work more hours than I did as a programmer
* I have to deal with a lot more bullshit, politics and doing annoying tasks
* In total I lost about 5 years of career, due to education and starting at a lower level in a different field (in North America this may not be so bad, in Europe they have difficulty counting years of experience in other fields)
* I lost 2 years of pay (education), then started work at half what my cs peers make. Since programming pay increased a lot, but mine didn't, I'm now at a third.
* Instead of a (internally) well respected expert feeling near the top of my particular field, I am sort of on the path of getting there
I did it because I didn't want to code for work anymore and actually shape the real world, but it's not exactly been an easy path. It should be considered well before doing it. Ymmv.