firefighting / navy are positions that are crucial and always needed. similar to healthcare, some private companies and government agencies will pay for your schooling or just give you money straight up. programming is something that’s very education based. which is nice for those who are looking for a challenge or enjoy developing their own software/websites/etc. but it’s admittedly over saturated. you would have to freelance even if you got some fancy degree or certifications for it. which isn’t bad to do on the side during free time.
regarding your goal of wanting to live a life with minimal regret, i think somebody’s biggest regrets tend to be over what they didn’t do not what they chose specifically. when you’re 80 you’re probably not thinking back being like “wow i wish i chose programming over being a firefighter or vice versa” it’s more of a “i wanted to try this thing and i never did. now i don’t feel as capable and i don’t know if i wanna use my remaining time trying to start.” because around 80, your body and mind is already going to be severely different even if you are the healthiest 80 year old on the face of the planet. your body ages and you have to adjust accordingly. i recommend trying a little bit of everything at least once. even if it’s not life changing in terms of a career, it shows your discipline and interest to solve problems in many different aspects of life. and it makes for a good story when you’re older. sometimes the most seemingly small decisions you’ll make will lead you somewhere you least expect it. having options is a sign of flexibility and ability, not the inability to choose.
