WTk: Changing career from IT

[Sesimie]

There are many reasons I want to leave off IT (12 years formal work...about 3 years volunteered...that's right I loved IT!)

Oh to find a Job that offers me more job satisfaction and a comfortable salary!

As a married man now life has gotten way more complicated,with serious responsibilities.

So the questions I'm really asking

Anybody else made the leap from an IT career to something else?

Are you regretting the change?

Is it even something to consider?

Are there Opportunities within IT i should consider before leaving it completely?

Regards,
Sesimie

[captainchris]

i do plan to divert from IT

but what exactly do you consider comfortable within those areas you specifically mentioned?

[Sesimie]

I'm pretty jaded on Traffic....phone support....and explaining the same thing over and over.

Also the updating of Certifications and exams exams exams...

I've owned my own business (IT Support)  but it's so Saturated/limited in TnT that I'm considering things like Game Console repairs and cell phone repairs. (I used to fix cellphones a long time ago!).

But I don't see the job security in that....remember I'm thinking long term as a married man...and the potential for kids  in the future.

I guess a stay at home business would be cool....but selling/offering what? i just don't know right now.

I just really wanted others who may have been through what I'm going through to offer some advice....or direction

[Sesimie]

A Comfortable salary would be $5000tt a month..... not much compared to what contract work brings in(which I currently do).

Also with every single client saying.."oh the recession boy" or "can you work extra days for same pay?" it grates on the nerves.

 A Tip from someone who supports a few customers.....The First part of Customer is Cuss...to...me..rrr!! XD

I'm a people person at heart....but I really dislike what money drives people to do/say/act sometimes!

[captainchris]

i think considering all you said, you just might not be working in the right place.

[jason19842]

You think IT is hard?...well you should come and work in the shipping industry with me....the importers/customers are very difficult to deal with and you also have to deal with co-workers cutting yuh throat.  Right now I trying to come into IT.

[TriniXaeno]

lol, the grass is always greener.....

I feel your pain and our stories are very similar.

They say when a man finds a job he really loves, he never works a day in his life.

I believe that is true.....but what happens when your love for your job fades?

Solution maybe to find another job.

In this climate, that ain't the easiest thing to do. lol

Nor is running your own business, if you are so inclined.

I made the leap (or rather small hop) from traditional IT to a core business role at the company where I work.

It was different, yes.....maybe even interesting for a while, but having done it for three years, I now find myself wishing for a return to true IT.

That said, not a return to the trenches from whence I came but more a managerial post.

Maybe you would find a similar progression more fulfilling?

I'd suggest reading a few career development books and entrepreneurial articles to see what strikes a cord and gets your juices flowing again.

[LQDSNK]

Owning your business is an excellent bit of experience. If you started from scratch and were successful you can look into project management. If you would like to stay in IT and you have that wealth of experience you should seriously apply to Columbus\Digicel\TSTT. They are always looking for "IT Professionals" and there is that  "on file" that HR always talks about regardless, does not hurt to put yourself out there!

[TriniXaeno]

I don't think experience is what he is looking for.

Job satisfaction more like.

Hence the reading / soul searching recommendation before the leap.

Its not uncommon to burn out.

Might be surprised that a sabbatical is all you need to re-ignite the flame as well. Something I've been considering for a while myself.

[TnT Ghost]

Owning your business is an excellent bit of experience. If you started from scratch and were successful you can look into project management. If you would like to stay in IT and you have that wealth of experience you should seriously apply to Columbus\Digicel\TSTT. They are always looking for "IT Professionals" and there is that  "on file" that HR always talks about regardless, does not hurt to put yourself out there!

Trust me columbus/flow is not where you want to do IT, coming from there myself getting out was one of the best decisions i've ever made in my life

[captainchris]

agree with the soul searching aspect, i too have my own business... but i recently slowed that down for my main commitment to my full time job, because at the end of the day, that usually dictates the pace.

[Sesimie]

Nice to see some folks really showing interest in this post...means alot.

Job Satisfaction is what I'm looking for...I don't feel fulfilled atm yet due to the times we living in I'm really just going through the motions of getting paid for services rendered.... I've lost my love for this career tract.

Hmmm midlife crisis......and stress of responsibilities.  I thinking about my future really hard and all I'm seeing right now is SSDD...Same Sh*t Different Day.

Need something interesting to work at.....and yeah I'm considering becoming my own boss again....that is priceless!!

[suzieboy]

Nice to see some folks really showing interest in this post...means alot.

Job Satisfaction is what I'm looking for...I don't feel fulfilled atm yet due to the times we living in I'm really just going through the motions of getting paid for services rendered.... I've lost my love for this career tract.

Hmmm midlife crisis......and stress of responsibilities.  I thinking about my future really hard and all I'm seeing right now is SSDD...Same Sh*t Different Day.

Need something interesting to work at.....and yeah I'm considering becoming my own boss again....that is priceless!!

Totally understand wat u going through. I think there are other opportunities in I.T. that you may fancy and should consider before leaving. Its is very broad.

I myself had a taste of beein my own boss. Thats was one of the gr8est feeling for me knowing that you dictating the pace, earning some real money and more importantly doing what you love.

On that note iam seriously considering owing my own business even if its non IT related an mind you i actually studied IT UWI. I have alot of ideas flowing and been talking to people.

There is no harm with dabbling with the idea of opening ur on joint. Even if its not IT related.

[TriniXaeno]

While that maybe so, you cannot dabble with a new business if you've got a family to see about.

A young single man could tough it out with uncertain income.

Not so when there are mouths to feed.

[captainchris]

same day different shit is not always a bad thing bro, i believe its how you adapt to your situation you can turn it into a good experience, but if your heart and mind is really saying dive, well then you need to be screw before you do so. sad to say, this day and age, MONEY is EVERYTHING. so if you know that plans are in the near or distant future and it requires cash; it is not what you want, but what you can pull off successfully.

[betty]

I agree with captain. Make sure you have a long decision process and if you identify your alternative, create a strategy and start moving forward but tough it out with the old job so you can support the family and at the same time save up for the alternative.

You may not be able to make a quick switch from IT into something else having invested so much years but i believe anyone can achieve anything they wish once they are determined.

[betty]

by the way ... from what i gather your in contract work.. why not just jump into a more IT Tech position.. that usually pays ALOT more than 5k a month..  Techs are like firemen they only get call when sum wrong.. rest of the time dey derping around Plenty of time to work on a side business .. ALOT of minstries are hiring IT staff ATM btw look around explore your options

[Sesimie]

Thanks all for the really good advice...I am a sub contracted IT Tech/Network support/service provider to several small companies. Time to fry some big fish eh? I've had Experience on TV, With ISP's and multi-national Businesses so no fear there. Maybe I'm looking at too small of a picture. I remember when i worked with the Ministry backbone it was so exciting working with million dollar equipment. I think i got too comfortable with IT Contract work. Perhaps it's time to run down the Administrator tract....or the CEO tract once again

[LQDSNK]

Good idea! With the amount of experience you stated, you should be looking at upper management.

[TriniXaeno]

yeah I think ceo tract is a good option! seconded