Giving up IT..sort of

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I'm beginning to think about giving up chasinga proper job in IT

The work i'm doin now involves some configuring and supporting of XP and W2K systems but its more for hardare and proprietory software than the OS itself. Its just that what with spening time traveling, commioning th eequipment we sell, training and doing the repairs, i'm finding it hard to study for any certs and push myself in ato a proper 1st/2nd line IT role.
I havent had any luck either iwth jobs i've applied for in tech support or any heldesk jobs as most say i have too much experience and would be bored answering th ephone (which is basically half my job now) so i'm starting to lack motivation, and confidence.
While i'm quite happy building systems and doin case mods there isnt much of a market for that. And my current role is too specialised to be of use out side the broadcast industry.
So with a heavy heart, and a tear in my eye, i have to really considere if a role in It is for me and if it is, can i continue persuing it in my current role or do i need to put familly first and provide for them?
Of course i'd still haunt here (cant let the women get away with slating th eblokes and threatening them with duct tape!!) but i think it might be time to call it quits with the certs and chasing the dream.

Btw apologies for the bad typos but im slightly drunk (comoany expenses while away) and i'm using a laptop whose keyboard i cant use.

Bored, drunk and stuck in yet another hotel....

Twizz

 

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Hey! nothing is easy IT or no IT its the effort, time, hard work and persistence that makes the difference. Well good luck in whichever you decide as the choice is yours.

 

Sorry to hear that mate, I know it's not easy finding an IT job, especially you first proper IT job. From your description it looks like you do have experience that other people who look for their first job do not. Like onoski mentioned above, you have to keep at it and never give up and eventually you will find something. I also understand that family comes first and what ever you decide to go with, all the best and good luck.

 

Twizzle,

Make your decision when you are sober, trust me, all ideas sound great when you're drunk.

 

Unfortunately I think in any IT job you have "crazy" hours. You have to start from the bottom and work your way up. Sleep on it before you make any rash decisions.

 

Twizzle, don't you dare make any decisions while you are drinking. Or I will sober you up by flushing your head in the tolet a couple hunderd times. I know you don't like being away from your family all the time. And they are the reason why you should wait to make an furture life choices with a clear mind. Sweet dreams my friend.

 

It’s been said, but it can’t be said enough, you sober up before making a call like this!
Yours story may seem bad, but it isn’t the worst. I’m not going to tell you what to do, but I’ll play the other side…

You’ve got a job that many newbies want. Even if you're supporting proprietary systems, you’re doing it on a Windows platform, meaning you know intricate details of how the solution fits with MS. That’s how to sell your experience to potential prospects.

Traveling is a impacting your home life. I’ve been there / done that. I was the guy that had a packed suitcase in the trunk of my car for when my superior would call to say “I need you in (pick the place)”. Very ‘007’ the first time – after that it was a nuisance. I missed many events, including my anniversary (twice), birthdays (mine and wife's), friend’s weddings, etc… It was so bad my best friend asked when I’d be in town so he could plan his wedding accordingly.

Not able to apply your trade outside the broadcast industry? Says who? Even if that’s the case, use it to your advantage and stay within. Leverage what you know and apply to other companies in the same industry.

You say you need confidence and motivation? Well, it sounds like you have a family at home. I’m not trying to pry into your personal life, but if you can’t look your family in the eye and get the motivation you need, nothing I say will be of any use.

Didn't mean to sound like a shot, but these are my suggestions. You're more valuable when employed, don't just give that away.

 

I first started studying and wanting to get in IT in 2002. I spent from then until February of 2007 studying. I had a job for a couple of months in 2006 which I thought was going to turn out to be something. Turns out I was lied to in all aspects of what was said to me. I then didn't get another opportunity until I started interning for free, and driving 120 miles in one direction to do that. I interned for free for 6 months, and since then I've been a contract employee.

However, I'm doing what I love to do, and getting very valuable experience in a variety of areas. The point of this is that if a 50+ physically broken-down old fart like me can finally break through and get an opportunity so can a young guy. It just depends on how much you're willing to sacrifice and put out to get where you want to go.

I worked for free and drive and drove 1000 miles a week to get my chance. Do you really think that if you would make those kinds of sacrifices you couldn't get a start at what you want to do somewhere? Just how badly do you want to get into IT?

Start thinking outside the box of how people normally get jobs and get creative. Until I did I couldn't crack the IT nut. It wasn't until I started offering my services in internships that I finally found a niche for me.

 

Dont beat urself up about it mate...like others have said...think about this when ur sober...

I didnt get my first proper IT job until Oct 2006 and I have been teaching myself about computers since I was 16...but yes lack of experience and certain qualifications didnt go my way...but all I wanted was for someone to give me a chance and when I got that chance I was excited...so much more excited I even got my A+ whilst being in my first IT job...all paid for by the company...so dont give up just yet mate...it took me 10yrs to get my first IT job and I am glad I got it...cos now I have all the skills needed to go on and learn more in other jobs...

Smile, mate...it isnt the end of the world

 

thanks for the response guys, but i have thought about this a lot in the last few weeks, not just last night while drunk.
Thing is i love building systems and am very hands on, but im not so hot on the theory or academic stuff. I have a issue retaining technical info and nothing i try makes it stick (even writing stuff down and going over several times). But theres jsut not s demand out there for system builders, more for admins and network engineers.
Its also about motivation, i have a very hard time working on just one project, i tend to start several then lose momentum and motivation for most of them. And thats what im finding with studying. I started 271 but just can not get motivated to finish it, im losing interest. What i need is someone pushing me to get it done. And with the way work is at the moment and traveling i'm even less motivated and having less time.
I may as well stay in the work i'm in, which is on the edges of true IT and try to make the most of that. I just dont have any more patience to chase jobs.
I have been trying for IT for 3 years (4 if yiu count the 1st year just getting into things), and have been in and out of non IT jobs during that time, had interviews for around 30 IT jobs all sounding good and having good interviews (least i knwo from those that gave me feedback) but never getting any further. Something just keeps me out of the spotlight. In some cases it is my experience as i get told i'm too experienced and would get bored, while for others i'm not experienced enough.
So i stay as i am and try to improve the way i work and my abilities in this role and just accept my lot in life. i'll never get rich, may not enjoy the role that much, and may feel that work collegues treat me like sub oridinate (though i have more experience, knowledge and skills) but at least a jobs a job.