Thinking about rebooting my life

Rilot

Rilot

Rilot

Don
Joined
18 Oct 2002
Posts
23,551
Location
Wargrave, UK
I'm 35 years old and I've been working in IT since I was 20. I earn very good money but I'm becoming increasingly disillusioned with the whole IT industry.
I really wish I had stayed at university and completed my degree and gone on to be an academic like I had always planned. Part of me feels incomplete.

So, I'm giving serious thought to packing in the job, taking a part time sys-admin role or something and going back to university to do a BSc in Archaeology.
History and Archaeology are my passion in life. I really regret not taking my education in this area to it's conclusion.

I have little in the way of debts, I don't own my own house but I do have a wife and 8yo daughter.
My wife is very supportive and wants me to do whatever makes me happy but I am concerned about my daughter.

Would I be selfish to go and pursue my dream and thus subjecting my daughter to maybe 5 years+ of not being able to have the things that she wants?
 
Do it.

If my chance at a career in the Police force does not come through in 2012 I think I have pretty much decided the same. Screw day-to-day IT and go get a degree in a specialised field and do something challenging.

I am sure you can balance your life and it's responsibilities and do something you want to do.
 
Follow your dream.... :)

as long as your family isn't starving yuou should follow your dream through.What good is an unhappy dad to your daughter? ;)
 
Your daughter is at the age where "things" might not matter so much at to her at the moment. I would rather have a happy father than an Ipod touch, my little pony or a space hopper (I have no idea what 8 year old girls are into).

Go for it now or regret it forever.
 
If I were you, I'd change my sig to remove the "coming soon, maybe" bit :p

Personally if I felt like you I'd go for it, or alternatively if you're being disillusioned with the IT industry, perhaps you'd be better suited finding a part within it that you don't feel that way with.

For example, I found that leaving my old job where everything was web agency-based and NOW NOW NOW to a place that uses SCRUM and everything's got nice build integration and everything's managed properly has made my life 95% happier. :)

If that's not an option though, I'd definitely pursue what I was interested in. Life's too short to be in a job you don't like if you have the ability to change it for something you do.
 
If you have the means to do it then you should go for it. "Things" are not the be all and end all for children.
 
I'd say go for it if you're 100% secure about your financial situation. You will still be earning money at least, but not as much so make sure you have everything planned out, whilst leaving a buffer for any uncertanties.
That said, theres not much money to be made at all in archaeology.
 
Sounds like there is not going to be a better time. If you wait, you may find yourself continually putting off your education for your daughters first car, her university education, her first home, her wedding etc.

If you can afford to, go for it now.
 
Morgoth said:
BSc in Archaeology.

I see.
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Yeah, there's a fraction of the chance of getting employment in this sector compared to the IT industry, but I guess whether he pursues this depends on whether he wants to teach it or dig stuff for a living.
 
Karl said:
Yeah, there's a fraction of the chance of getting employment in this sector compared to the IT industry, but I guess whether he pursues this depends on whether he wants to teach it or dig stuff for a living.
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Remember the OP will still have his experience and qualifications in IT. Just because he went back to uni, doesn't mean he won't find work in IT if he's struggling to find work in archaeology.
 
phonemonkey said:
Remember the OP will still have his experience and qualifications in IT. Just because he went back to uni, doesn't mean he won't find work in IT if he's struggling to find work in archaeology.
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That's sort of the point I was making (That sounds like I'm being rude, but I'm agreeing with you :) ) in that there's no harm in him doing this qualification and going back to what he did before, though I'm sure he's aware that finding a job in archaeology is a lot harder than IT.
 
Karl said:
Yeah, there's a fraction of the chance of getting employment in this sector compared to the IT industry, but I guess whether he pursues this depends on whether he wants to teach it or dig stuff for a living.
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Who needs a job when you're an archaeology expert? Just grab your fedora and bull-whip and go pick a fight with some Nazis! :p
 
Karl said:
Yeah, there's a fraction of the chance of getting employment in this sector compared to the IT industry, but I guess whether he pursues this depends on whether he wants to teach it or dig stuff for a living.
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That doesn't worry me. I can always stay as an academic or go in to teaching.

phonemonkey said:
Remember the OP will still have his experience and qualifications in IT. Just because he went back to uni, doesn't mean he won't find work in IT if he's struggling to find work in archaeology.
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5 years out of IT is an eternity. It is unlikely I would be able to go back in to IT at anywhere near the level I'm at now.

phonemonkey said:
Sounds like there is not going to be a better time. If you wait, you may find yourself continually putting off your education for your daughters first car, her university education, her first home, her wedding etc.

If you can afford to, go for it now.
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This is why I'm thinking about it now. Nina is 8 which means I've got a clear 9 years before the really expensive stuff starts to appear such as uni, cars, bikes etc.
 
Why don't you do the Archaeology or History degree with Open University or part-time?

I'm sure it won't be that hard to juggle with work, it's not like you're going to be studying Law or Medicine.
 
As has been said do both. Money is vital, not least in the current environment in which we live and doing a course whilst working is the more sensible approach....unless it's the whole 'University campus' thing you really want together with passing off of the pressures of work, which I understand but right now the climate is such that you will miss the money .
 
I pressed the reset button when I left my first wife, I'd enough, wasnt happy chucked the lot in.

Went and pursued a completely different career and personal life.

Lifes to short too be unhappy.
 
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