Life After the IT Department
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While surfing around on Digg today, I came across an article titled “Life After the IT Department.” It was an article by Deb Perelman on eweek.com.
It talks about how a lot of Americans are getting tired of working in the field of Information Technology and what they would do if they decide to switch career paths.
I have gotten tired of working in the IT Department myself lately and have been looking for some new options. I have been working in the data security and technical support field for 3 years and have just lost all passion for the type of work. It is very repetitive and I rarely see new things.
Most technical support tickets I get I can resolve without even using my mind. Sometimes it’s an Outlook issue, sometimes it’s a file saving problem, or perhaps a hardware failure. But at the end of the day, it is all the same crap.
My favorite part of the article is the very end, where it states “A lot of it is at the end of the day, you will figure out what those things are when you look in the mirror and do a practical honest assessment of yourself and figure out what you didn’t like. Sometimes it was the people and sometimes it was you.”
I already started answering thus question with my post titled “5 Reasons I Hate Technical Support Jobs.” But I also tried to get a little more in depth. I think my main reason for not liking the field is the lack of adventure or new experiences. Not to mention I hate the 8-5 work shift because I am not a morning person whatsoever.
I consider myself to be a creative type of person and there is not much room for creativity in the technical support field. Which is why I have always enjoyed photography, web design, and writing. The main reason I started this blog was because I was so bored at work and needed a way to express myself and my creativity.So the question I need to answer is what type of job would I best fit in?
Of course, I still think the answer is working for myself. Whether it is through the internet or freelancing. I have a lot of knowledge, especially when it comes to technology. I still have the goal of making enough money off the internet to live my day to day life but it may take some more time.
So I have been looking at different blogging and writing positions and feel I could be qualified for some of them. I would love a job working on blogs, since I really enjoy spending time on mine. I also enjoy internet marketing, specifically dealing with social networks like Digg, StumbleUpon, and BlogCatolog to name a few.
At the same time, I have been looking at totally different careers such as outside jobs. Working on a beach somewhere for minimum wage and just getting by. I already concluded money isn’t necessarily something I need a lot of to be happy. I guess we will see.
I would really appreciate some feedback if anyone has ever worked in the IT field and decided to try new things. Or perhaps you know of a job I would fit into, please let me know.
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We are related! I have not worked full fledged in IT, they are to scared of my knowledge – long story, but can’t fight city hall, so I’ve dabbled in it. When you find that beach job, let me know, I will set up shop next door.
I have searched for blogging jobs, etc, but so often times, there is a degree necessary – and my experience has all been self-taught. As my art work, if I didn’t have family here, I would hawk everything, head to mexico and be a beach walker!
Unfortunately, we get used to the money – and I too would love to hear of anyone who has stepped away from similar positions.
Best of luck!
Do you really think you could be happy completely broke man? I’ve gone the route of “just have fun and barely get by” and it’s a stressful way to go when money worries you constantly .
Money isn’t the key to happiness, but lack of money is one of the best ways I know to unhappiness. Pick your poison.
I ‘m lucky to be in the software developer position job.. and it’s a quite interesting software we’re building. I’ve been coding this baby for 3 years and never get bored looking at it!
You should get a different career that suits your creativity, but there’s always a gamble when you leave your current job but you haven’t got a new one yet!
Yeah, I have been looking at getting into a job more involved with web design and internet marketing. I really enjoy social networking so I hope I can find some sort of a job in that field.
Otherwise I could always try being a writer of some sort. Not real worried about a pay cut at this point.
Justin,
I’ve been in IT for 22 years, involved in 2 startups that were successful, and worked as an independent contractor in between. (I’m an Oracle DBA Programming and Project Manager). I’m completely sympathetic to your feelings, as I too am totally burnt on IT.
I’m a little different (perhaps) because I am also a native of the Bay Area and am really really burnt out on living here.
A variation on my solution might work for you.
Several years ago we bought a place in the inner Northwest (not CA, OR or WA). Next year we cut the cord and move up there full time.
I’ll take a huge cut in pay but also a huge cut in costs, it more than works out. In the long run, less stress and less income but even greater cost savings.
We’ll have a lot more free time and trade the latte sipping fools for big horn sheep, small mouth bass and elk.
I’ve lined up some telecommute gigs to get me by while I phase my IT career out and switch to real estate development and management of a small rock quarry.
I estimate in 2-4 years I will no longer do much IT at all, except for my own web site, blogs, and fooling around.
If the plan fails (I do not think it will) I can always pick up a gig in Seattle or Boise.
My advice is for you to figure out where and what to do then try it, what’s the worst that can happen?
I think George has it right – what’s the worst that can happen? It’s scary to make any sort of a change in today’s economic climate, but in the end your sanity and health should prevail.
johns latest blog post..Five Years Ago This Week – 8/30/2003