I used to be a teacher in inner London. I had grand ideas about speaking out, changing the world, making a contribution to society. You know, all that stuff.
Teaching in Britain today is not fun. After 5 years I quit and became a computer programmer in a cube-farm. I've since graduated to an open-plan office, but deep down I miss my cube.
Programming is largely misunderstood by a lot of people. It's half art and half science. It can be very dull and technical, but it can also be wonderfully creative in a way that is totally absorbing.