i took an entry-level programming job as a way to earn money between trips to india. after documenting a test suite i worked on, my boss noticed i could write well. he gave me a good recommendation and i was able to fund my travel and study by contract tech writing. this was back in the days when software actually had manuals. but no, tech was just a passage to my real vocation: i ‘ended up’ quite intentionally becoming an internationally-known teacher of meditation and enlightenment.

Thanks, very interesting story. I didn't expect to find someone with your background here on HN.