Ever wonder if you took the wrong path in employment?

[Paul77]

9 years ago I started to work in IT support. It started with a curiousity for how to fix my home computer, went to college got a HNC, then on to gaining several Microsoft specific qualifications, a few industry standard qualifications and then about 6 years ago nothing. Just on the job training and the like. Firefighting and alot of coffee.

As I sit in my 8th year in my current job (IT for a school) I often wonder what it would have been like if I didn't take this path. Ater my HNC I had the option to do Software development. I was advised to go this route because I turned my final project in within a week of getting it. I guess I liked the Visual Basic language. I opted for the Tech Support HND because my mates were doing that. I didn't finish it because 6 months later I had a job to start.

In the last few years I've fluttered around with coding. I can create websites, using CSS, HTML and stuff like that. I have written a few Andriod apps but nothing world changing. It's always been in the back of my mind to be a developer but the industry has evolved so much that I feel like I missed that boat.

The IT support industry feels very dead end, with not much in the way of movement. Stagnent if you will. A new Operating system comes out, a new server technology, you implement it, learn as you go, support users and it all gets a bit boring. I even think that IT support will be phased out in the near future as everyones farmed into managed services.

The job is stable, but boring. It's also a very closed loop with not much exposure to outside influence. I was at a Cisco seminar the other day and it was excellent. All on Hyper-convergence and it was really interesting. Came back to the office and my first call was digging around under someones desk because they kicked a power cable out. Yaaaaaawn.


What would you do in this climate? Move? take a risk? or just sit put and shut up lol.

I bet there's loads that would love to fill my shoes but not many I'd advise to take this route if they value their sanity.

 

[SwingsitlikeHogan]

All the time - took wrong turn about 20yrs ago and regretting it. Advice would be to get out of what you're doing asap. Life's too short.

 

[delc]

I qualified as a scientist (chemistry) back in the 1960's because that seemed to be the future. I found out afterwards that as a profession it paid a relative pittance, because we were always back room boys and girls who were supposed to enjoy our work. In retrospect I would have become an accountant because that is where the money is, even if it is boring.

 

[Paul77]

My good lady has it down to a fine art. She's a dental therapist, and has started getting that bored feeling too. She recently pretty much sideloaded her profession off by doing a Botox and fillers course. Totally changing her working life really. I wish I could do that. I'll have to go back to the start of something and it'll take years to build up the experience I have in support. Not to mention the risk of not getting the same salary.

Our chemistry lab technician always moans about not being appreciated for her skill too. I see where you're coming from on that one delc. Indeed life is too short.

 

[Hacker Khan]

I qualified as a scientist (chemistry) back in the 1960's because that seemed to be the future. I found out afterwards that as a profession it paid a relative pittance, because we were always back room boys and girls who were supposed to enjoy our work. In retrospect I would have become an accountant because that is where the money is, even if it is boring.

My wife is an accountant, she dreams of being a lumberjack.

 

[Alex1975]

I love my work and my job but I would really like to be a gold miner.

 

[Doon frae Troon]

I would have hated to live in this generation of low pay unsecure jobs.
If you have a decent job and salary I would say stick with it until better times.

I had a great job and made a bad move which forced me down a path I was not too keen on.
Guess what, that path turned out really well and I had a very full and interesting career

 

[Paul77]

Interesting thoughts guys. Cheers.

I'd never leave myself without a hook into something else that either paid more or had better terms.

 

[pendodave]

I was in IT for 18 years.

I could see work of higher and higher experience/skills being outsourced to India (or Indians imported) and decided to get out before the water rose up to my level.

Now I drive trains for Virgin. Not yet outsourced or replaced by foreigners, but only because they haven't worked out how yet....

While I understand your frustration, I think that there are a few things to consider :

1. Apart from a lucky few, removing skills and interest from employment is a trend which has been in place for a while now and applies across huge swathes of the jobs market.

2. The only thing stopping a job from being outsourced is the need for someone to be actually physically present. it is the crawling around on your knees bit which is probably the only thing keeping them from outsourcing you ! Don't wish it away.

3. Having to take a pay cut, and often pay for your own training when moving on, is almost inevitable.

Troubling times. The thing is, now that retirement is set for an ever increasing age, we are looking at being in employment for a long, long time. Doing something different will be the only thing that will keep us all sane. Every now and then we get topics in which people say we've never had it so good etc etc. There is not a single aspect of my childrens' life that I would swap for mine. To me, that says it all.

 

[Farneyman]

I gambled and left a secure full time job with great perks to return to uni to complete a post grad in teaching in 2010. It was the best decision I ever made and wish I had completed it years ago instead of waiting until 12 years had passed since I completed my original degree.

I would say look into it very closely and make think about what you would like to be doing in 20 years...your current job or the new path you are thinking about.

Good luck.

 

[huds1475]

9 years ago I started to work in IT support. It started with a curiousity for how to fix my home computer, went to college got a HNC, then on to gaining several Microsoft specific qualifications, a few industry standard qualifications and then about 6 years ago nothing. Just on the job training and the like. Firefighting and alot of coffee.

As I sit in my 8th year in my current job (IT for a school) I often wonder what it would have been like if I didn't take this path. Ater my HNC I had the option to do Software development. I was advised to go this route because I turned my final project in within a week of getting it. I guess I liked the Visual Basic language. I opted for the Tech Support HND because my mates were doing that. I didn't finish it because 6 months later I had a job to start.

In the last few years I've fluttered around with coding. I can create websites, using CSS, HTML and stuff like that. I have written a few Andriod apps but nothing world changing. It's always been in the back of my mind to be a developer but the industry has evolved so much that I feel like I missed that boat.

The IT support industry feels very dead end, with not much in the way of movement. Stagnent if you will. A new Operating system comes out, a new server technology, you implement it, learn as you go, support users and it all gets a bit boring. I even think that IT support will be phased out in the near future as everyones farmed into managed services.

The job is stable, but boring. It's also a very closed loop with not much exposure to outside influence. I was at a Cisco seminar the other day and it was excellent. All on Hyper-convergence and it was really interesting. Came back to the office and my first call was digging around under someones desk because they kicked a power cable out. Yaaaaaawn.


What would you do in this climate? Move? take a risk? or just sit put and shut up lol.

I bet there's loads that would love to fill my shoes but not many I'd advise to take this route if they value their sanity.

You could look into contracting?

Or... The whole of Governemt is going Digital at the moment and in-sourcing their eye tea as a long term objective.

They have that many vacancies across the various departments that they can't fill them, particularly developer / Web ops etc... and they are looking to invest in training.

If you Google dwp technology, have a look on Facebook and Twitter for the same you might find something that interests you.

 

[drew83]

I finished my GNVQ in engineering in 2001. I had dreams of following a couple of mates into Quantity Surveying.

I left college working in the fast food outlet in the local theme park. End of the summer meant a lack of work, so off I went to work with my mum in insurance. A stop gap while I looked for my role in QS.

3 months of being the tea boy I get asked to go for interview in the claims department. QS wasn't showing a lot of promise so pound signs took priority.

14 months later I decided I wasn't cut out for desk work. A couple of mates had started working for an event security firm. "That sounds a giggle & very varied" I thought. Off I went.

Loved it. 2 years (nearly) of travelling all over the country for world superbikes/british superbikes/ concerts/gigs/festivals/ celeb award events. Met celebs, offered a security role in L.A (but to scared to make the leap).

A shoulder & back injury left me unable to stand for any length of time which lead to working in an industrial spray shop then a warehouse.

The cold of winter made my back and shoulder ache like mad, so I decided to return to the warmth of an office. (Yes, I know I said I hated desk work). 11 years later, here I am, same company. Moved from claims to underwriting support. Hate the commute every morning & evening (70 mins each way on the train).

Everyday "what if I went to L.A".....

Now I am "stuck" as a career change would mean a (potentially) big pay cut which with bills etc to pay isn't feasible. Anyone that can afford the cut & go for their dreams make me envious. I worry about money too much & that is a major stumbling block for me.

If I can offer any advice, if you are bored & can make a change go for it!!!

 

[Break90]

I've been with the same firm for 16 years, in a variety of sales roles, having worked my way up from office junior.

I hate my job, but it pays good money, excellent bonuses, and I'm pretty good at it.

I'd love to do something else, but with a family and a mortgage I can't really run the risk of a big drop in salary.

Expecting/hoping to be made redundant next year as we are in the process of being 'acquired'. This will give me the kick up the backside I think I need to make a change, but a decent severance package will soften the blow financially.

 

[FairwayDodger]

I'm another in IT and regretting it. The industry's going the same way as ship building with everything possible either outsourced to India or done by cheap labour imported from there. I've still got a relatively secure job but no longer doing any of the things that attracted me to it in the first place.

Would change career tomorrow if I knew what I wanted to do!

 

[drew83]

Would change career tomorrow if I knew what I wanted to do!

This is my other issue. I no longer want to do QS, but I don't know what I DO want to do. I have the plans & dreams in place should I ever hit the lotto jackpot.....but as a mere muggle, no idea!

 

[Hobbit]

My wife is an accountant, she dreams of being a lumberjack.

*breaks into song.... "I'm a lumberjack and I'm ok. I sleep all night and I work all day."

Seriously, I'm more than happy where I am... but that isn't where I started out. Change now! Do it! When you find something you really love, it makes every day a good day.

 

[Paul77]

I'm another in IT and regretting it. The industry's going the same way as ship building with everything possible either outsourced to India or done by cheap labour imported from there. I've still got a relatively secure job but no longer doing any of the things that attracted me to it in the first place.

Would change career tomorrow if I knew what I wanted to do!

Same here. For about two years there, I thought Photography was the way out. I was shooting news for an agency daily, and SPL football at the weekend. It's great to shoot until you want paid for it. Everyone suddenly starts saying there's no budget for pictures. Erm nope, well you can't have mine then. Gave that up quickly. Too much outgoing, and nothing coming in.

I have spoke to a few peers this morning in the IT circle. Hopefully making some noises about moving might prompt a wee sideloading to something else. Everyone just thought I was happy where I was.

 

[GB72]

Yes. When I was at school the idea of being in the legal profession seemed high paying and glamorous and so that is the direction I took. Not much in the way of work experience or careers advice back in the 1980s and so I ploughed on with it, went to uni, went to law school and then found out that getting a training contract to qualify was pretty damned difficult. Ended up working in conveyancing as a paralegal and before I knew it I had several years of experience and the pay was OK. Then I qualified as a solicitor but as I had conveyancing expereience I was immediately pidgeon holed. 20 years later and I am still doing it, it is very stressful, I get paid far less than almost all of the people I went to school with and it is hard taking time off. Would I change if I could, yes, can I afford to change, no.

 

[TheDiablo]

I work in IT, on the vendor side for a global corporate (well, technically we don't make anything so just an IP company in the tech space)

I'm not sure what the downer on IT is. Every company is a technology company, so the opportunities are endless - you just need to adapt your skills to the digital/mobile era. Look at your skillset, look at job descriptions for roles that seem interesting, work out the gaps and execute on removing these.

Every industry adapts and changes - and those that adapt, change and innovate will be successful. You just have to take some time out of a 'day-to'day' mindset and think ahead, which I can appreciate is hard!

 

[Paul77]

I work in IT, on the vendor side for a global corporate (well, technically we don't make anything so just an IP company in the tech space)

I'm not sure what the downer on IT is. Every company is a technology company, so the opportunities are endless - you just need to adapt your skills to the digital/mobile era. Look at your skillset, look at job descriptions for roles that seem interesting, work out the gaps and execute on removing these.

Every industry adapts and changes - and those that adapt, change and innovate will be successful. You just have to take some time out of a 'day-to'day' mindset and think ahead, which I can appreciate is hard!

Oh I know there's opportunities, but when your employer hasn't sent you on training for 6 years and they are an investors in people employer it's hard to swallow when you go for jobs to get no return. Feedback comes back saying that you don't have the paperwork to back up the experience.

I can mess about in Hyper-V, Citrix, Exchange and anything else, but I don't have the paperwork to back it up because my current employer thinks everything is fine as long as they can get emails on their iphone or ipad in a meeting to show off.

We bit of a rant there, but that's essentially where I'm coming from on the issue. I identify training, oops can't afford it.