Careers in alternative health?
Holistic health practitioner/ Naturopath is a good idea! You are at the perfect age to start this as the conventional healthcare system is going to become obsolete as people realize how barbaric it is to continue hurting and destroying lives unnecessarily. I became a certified health counselor because I want to take part in this transition. Although I didn't go to college for it, I have done so many years of studying holistic healing and taking a home-study course offered by a naturopath, Robert Morse, ND, a world-renowned healer. You can search him out on youtube and watch some of his videos... btw, he's a hoot! ( http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m-R2JMbXC... - one of his videos, this is a 5 part video.) The majority of his patients are cancer sufferers who have been sent home by their doctor to die because there was nothing more they could do for them. His success rate is extremely high when people follow his program of diet and herbs - his own formulated herbal tonics (he is also a Master Herbalist, has a few degrees in bio-chemistry, etc....) It truly is amazing! I'm sure there are a few other great naturopaths out there, but most of them use supplements as their "medicine" and this is not the way to go! There is so much that you can do to help people with a raw food diet and herbs (food, too). You really don't need all the mumbo jumbo that they teach you in Naturopathic schools unless you go to ones in Canada or abroad. Learn from him - he is the Master! (IMHO) If you have any more questions, just contact me thru here - I can give you a lot more info if you want. Good luck to you and follow your instincts, you'll find what it is you want to do!
If you want to start a new career writing code (because you've done it for fun at night for years), what American city should you move to? Or should you freelance online?
Freelancing can be a smart move later in your career, but it will terrible for beginners for a few reasons:The obvious: You just don't have the experience to command prices that will make it worth your time. There's a lot of overhead to freelancing, and you'd be surprised at how few billable hours you actually get.You're going to get a lot of terrible jobs and your life will be miserable. You don't have the experience or the bargaining power to separate the wheat from the chaff. You're going to get flaky clients, weird projects, and it's unlikely that you'll produce anything of note -- a real downer when you're starting your career and barely making any money.You don't have the experience to manage your own business. Quarterly taxes, paperwork, health insurance, advertising, billing, meetings -- all while trying to improve your programming skill. More wasted time.If you really want a career in software, move to New York, Boston, San Francisco -- really any major city, and get an entry-level job. Just doing programming as a hobby, I guarantee you that you have large blind spots and major weaknesses that a few years in industry will help to iron out. You can always try freelance or classes on the side while you're at it!
Career Advice: I just turned 32 years old. Is it too late for me to turn my career around?
Ah, to be 32 again! (I'm nearing twice your age). I have re-invented myself before and I'm currently doing it again after being laid off. I commend you for your courage of making it so far already, and for wanting to be better. Here's what has worked for me: Don't isolate yourself. Talk to a friend about what you think you want to do - especially if you're not sure. It helps to think out loud. Look for examples of how others have handled career change. I like Yann Girard (google him). The elephant-in-the-room is money. I won't say 'don't worry about it,' but push it to the background. More than anything else - do something...Teach, volunteer, blog... You have much to offer. You will surprise yourself.