Anyone left IT for another job path?

[Shicky]

Hello all,

I'm currently working at a large investment bank doing support work and some dev work. In short I don't think I'm happy doing it and I'm keen to jump ship after I have fulfilled my contract, before that happens I want to be as sure as I can be about my next step. I really am not sure what it is I want to do and frankly it's driving me insane trying to figure out (maybe I should just shut up and be happy with what I've got.) I've looked at some random paths which would involve essentially starting again (rendering my 1st in comp sci useless and amounting 25k debt for nothing.)

I can't imagine I'm alone in this and would be keen to hear others experiences where they left the IT world for something completely different or perhaps made use of their IT skills, just in an unlikely areas.

For me support isn't it, at least not in banks due to all the red tape and inability to do anything. Dev work probably isn't for me as I do not feel I am gifted enough at this and sitting for huge periods I dislike but probably can't avoid. The good side of it is that I really enjoy helping people and feel I am very good with customers/clients.

look forward to hearing some stories if there are any

 

[skyjawa]

Can't say I've left but myself and a colleague and I talk of that almost every time we meet in the office!!!

I used to do support years ago and moved on to implementation and design which is much more interesting , but still think about what else might be out there!!

 

[Raumarik]

I went from electrical engineering > IT support > Information governance (albeit an IT security role in the organisation) but it's not traditional "IT", heck it couldn't be further from support!

Been in post a couple of months, haven't regretted it at all, support was starting to get a bit repetitive even on third line which is all I've done for 15 years prior.

 

[MonkeyBasher]

A friend of mine got a good degree, also in Comp Science. Spent only a short time in the working world before realising it wasnt for him. Lived a frugal existence for a while, saving as much as he could. Went back to uni and is now (many years later) working as a Male Nurse.

There are many other sectors you could work in and still use the skill you have.
The Finance Sector is nototirius for having Long Working hours and Crappy Work ethics. I have worked for one of the large UK banks as a software consultant and it was soul destroying seeing how many numptys had access to peoples cash and personal information.

Medial Research can be lucrative, especialy if you have some knowledeg and interest of the stuff the are doing. They always need software teams. Robot arms need control software and all those fancy gizmos you see on TV with the phials in, mass spectormeters, injection systems and MRI machines all need software.

Mobile Phone Stuff is also popular at the moment. Android, iPhone and Windows Developers are in demand all over the world. A small startup with a relaxed dress code, open plan work environment and cake day on a Friday could be much more up your street than loads of retarded bankers. Ive done this, on both a large and small scale (I got 3 months all expensises paid in Seatle with MS). So as you see it can be fun and lucrative.

Teaching could also be an option, especialy with the new IT curriculum gubbins at the moment. This would (I think?) need you to go back to uni and get a PGCE and also do the Criminal Checks. Maths is most likely also an option if you have a CompSci degree.
Someone with A CompSci degree, HW and Software knowledge of a Raspberry PI and the multiple OSs and Languages it uses would have a foot in the door I would expect.

At the furthest end of the spectrum of options there is always something like "Jobs Without Borders" where you go use your IT skills to help people all over the world. The finanacial gain is non-extant in this case though.

If IT is realy not your thing, then you need to realise it sooner rather than later.
My personal experiences of work and life in general is that it is never worth starting out doing something your not enjoying. The time to make changes is now before you have commitments (that im assuming you dont have).

 

[anything I don't mind]

I have worked at an investment bank and it was one of my worst jobs. I was on the support desk but the place was open plan with 300 people. It was always busy and the people were not very nice. The whole atmosphere was a bit much. Compared to other roles doing the exact same job, investment banks is something that I will avoid.

I have worked with a few guys that started their own business, mostly in IT related. Some are still doing ok others had some problems and end up in a similar job again. One of things i like about working in IT is that you can work in varied industries. I have worked for in IT at head office, retail chain, law firm, property management, estate agent chain, once i was based at euston station and did the IT for the office, investment banks and so on.

Maybe try and get in to an IT company or a media related company?

 

[radderfire]

For me support isn't it, at least not in banks due to all the red tape and inability to do anything. Dev work probably isn't for me as I do not feel I am gifted enough at this and sitting for huge periods I dislike but probably can't avoid. The good side of it is that I really enjoy helping people and feel I am very good with customers/clients.

What about an IT Sales job, or become a salesforce.com consultant, or if you're very analytical a SAS analyst.

 

[Shicky]

Many thanks for the responses so far, especially as some are so detailed.

I agree the environment is just plain crap to be honest, for the past 9 months I've been working pretty much solo in a huge building, dealing with team members in India and America. I've been moved to a different team now so I actually have a support team alongside me so I was looking forward to giving this a chance but it just seems like uninteresting systems screwing up and I won't be allowed to delve into any level of complexity with them which to me sounds crap.

I worked for 4 months in a startup company and it was a VERY good working environment. However conditions weren't great for me as my missus was ill and living in Scotland and I was in Toronto. Also had 3.5hr round trip for the office daily and I was working very hard to make up a skills gap. Still I look back on it with fond memories so I can certainly see your point that I'm just at the wrong company. I think I'd be pretty good in a startup as I like variety and I'm a jack of all trades type, master of none. However due to this I feel my skill level wouldn't be sufficient and I've been out of touch with the latest in tech as I'm dealing with old, crap systems at work.

Other areas completely separate have been nutrition and physiotherapy as I'm very into fitness etc and have had injury troubles. I take away from this that in whatever role I end up in, I clearly want to help people.

I've been quite highly sought after and its something I've given lots of thought. The downside of it is that you only really know if it's for you if you do it, which could be a step in the wrong direction. I think I could get on one of the programmes so at least I wouldn't be paying for a PGCE. Still I've done some tutoring/group mentoring and enjoyed it so its been a strong consideration. On top of this you can get involved in sports teams and aren't stuck behind a desk always. The downside however is one mouthy kid can result in a ruined career despite doing zero wrong.

A number of careers have been mentioned which I've never heard of, doing the careers service tests right now so will look into as soon as i'm done with that

 

[HaX]

I'm in a similar position, having worked in various project, support, and process management roles.

Although my current job is reasonably well paid and the people I work with are generally very pleasant, the thought of spending the next 40+ years working in a highly politicised environment performing inane tasks does not fill me with enthusiasm. I am also very sceptical as to whether or not the IT sector will offer well paid and secure employment in the longer term.

Personally, I'd like to do something which involves helping people, though giving up my current career to pursue a new one isn't something I am brave enough to do, just yet.

 

[Shicky]

I'm in a similar position, having worked in various project, support, and process management roles.

Although my current job is reasonably well paid and the people I work with are generally very pleasant, the thought of spending the next 40+ years working in a highly politicised environment performing inane tasks does not fill me with enthusiasm. I am also very sceptical as to whether or not the IT sector will offer well paid and secure employment in the longer term.

Personally, I'd like to do something which involves helping people, though giving up my current career to pursue a new one isn't something I am brave enough to do, just yet.

May I ask how old you are? I'm 25 and its something I struggle with quite a bit sometimes as I try hard to figure out what it is i'm 'meant' to do. By putting a lot of energy into it it agitates me so I try to avoid thinking about it and focus on the positives I have. Unfortunately the feeling always creeps back so I know there is a root problem to deal with. I guess now is the best time as I have zero dependencies, just wish all my effort would bear at least some fruit!

 

[ringo747]

I think the same thing almost every day. I work with SharePoint which is a good challenge and get to work with various customers. I couldn't stand being in the same office with the same people all day.

Once you get married/mortgage I think it is just too difficult to reskill in something else. I always wanted to be a pilot but unless you are loaded or don't have financial responsibility then it just isn't an option.

I'm just not thinking about having to do this for the rest of my working life. On a plus side the money is pretty good.

 

[HaX]

May I ask how old you are? I'm 25 and its something I struggle with quite a bit sometimes as I try hard to figure out what it is i'm 'meant' to do. By putting a lot of energy into it it agitates me so I try to avoid thinking about it and focus on the positives I have. Unfortunately the feeling always creeps back so I know there is a root problem to deal with. I guess now is the best time as I have zero dependencies, just wish all my effort would bear at least some fruit!

I'm 31, so I've got a few years on you. Although I don't have children, I've supported my partner over the past four years, during which she did an Access to HE course and attended university. Before embarking on her career change, she'd been working in various low paid and entry level jobs, so had less to lose than I do now.

She's benefited immensely from retraining, has a job for life and transferable skills which will be of use anywhere in the world (nurse).

I wish the same could be said of my IT skills, though sadly (particularly over the past three years), they have stagnated. In the main, this is due to me working within a large corporate environment where I have been pigeon holed into a very specific role. The money is very reasonable and affords me (and my OH) a good quality of life and disposable income, which is the main reason I've stuck it out and not moved on.

On a slightly unrelated note, I always used to be a fairly eloquent person and had a good command of English. Over the past few years I've found that this is no longer the case, and I often find it difficult to compose sentences with correct punctuation etc.

 

[bJN]

#YOLO.

Only kidding.

I'm 10 years your junior so obviously had a lot less to risk, but in Summer I made the jump from the IT ship and I'm now doing an apprenticeship in Oil & Gas Extraction (Instrument Technician). Obviously, apprenticeship is going to be quite a bit lower than you'd be willing to go, but the point I'd put across is that your skills will be transferable into many different industries. This apprenticeship has nowt to do with IT, but once I am trained and have a few years under my belt I'll be looking to head back towards IT but specifically within this industry.

 

[SMN]

I know ipsec guys who have moved to become IP Lawyers and then to out-and-out law, It will be a tough move but with a compsci brain you should be able to apply yourself to logical/theory jobs.

 

[agnes]

#YOLO.

Only kidding.

I'm 10 years your junior so obviously had a lot less to risk, but in Summer I made the jump from the IT ship and I'm now doing an apprenticeship in Oil & Gas Extraction (Instrument Technician). Obviously, apprenticeship is going to be quite a bit lower than you'd be willing to go, but the point I'd put across is that your skills will be transferable into many different industries. This apprenticeship has nowt to do with IT, but once I am trained and have a few years under my belt I'll be looking to head back towards IT but specifically within this industry.

Very odd move, care to explain why?

I too am thinking of leaving the IT sector after 6 years in it and am just not moving as fast as I had hoped.

 

[bJN]

Very odd move, care to explain why?

I too am thinking of leaving the IT sector after 6 years in it and am just not moving as fast as I had hoped.

I went straight from retail into contracting IT, which I enjoyed thoroughly - big project with the NHS (Ambulance Service) - that involved getting really hands on, absolutely loved it. Offered a permanent service desk role which I took straight away; I haven't got any useful qualifications or experience within the industry bar those six months contracting, so doubt I would be able to get another contract, not least one that I would enjoy!

IT Support was just pure dull, I didn't like the fact I could sit on my arse most of the day and do little work for it I like to work for my money. That and I seemed to have a habbit of not necessarily punching above my weight, but going further than my role should entail - anything server or network related I would jump at as I found it interesting! When I reality I should be the chap sat there fixing the printer for some muppet that doesn't understand what a power socket is...

I was just plain bored. The six months contracting were absolutely brilliant. The hours were long, the work was challenging, it's something I miss a lot. The service desk role was, for lack of a better word, lazy. And I resented it. The department also went through a restructure as I accepted the job and was put at risk for redundancy, which didn't sit too well in my mind. The chance / opportunities for progression were also few and far between; it was a case of the heads of IT and Infrastructure were all mates, as were a few other service desk personnel, so anything that would crop up would be hand-fed to them. It's certainly not something I would have had the patience to put up with, although the money was good all things considering.

I moved to Oil & Gas as I was always interested in energy, and I had attended an Oil & Gas experience day thing whilst in Sixth Form still, which had me looking at what schemes were around and what the potential outcomes were. I applied to it more as a way out of IT and got in, so I've followed it through with 110% effort to make it work. At the end of the scheme, the job opportunities far outweight those that would be available to me if I stuck with the IT role for 4 years, or went to Uni which would incur debt which is something I am extremely against doing.

Only way is up from here, in my eyes

 

[Vanilla]

IT is so large I think you should consider a different area but within IT.

This keeps everything you've learned so far as valid including your degree.

Give Pre-Sales a shot. I thoroughly enjoy it. In Pre-Sales you work with the sales people to build relationships and sell stuff. No day is the same and the benefits with the role area amazing.

Failing that why not do something really different but within IT? IT guy on an oil rig off Australia ($$$$$$).

 

[Shicky]

Vanilla did I mail you years ago about technology pre-sales!? It's an area I've noted down to look into a few times but seems very difficult to get into?

I would definitely enjoy the variety it offers I believe and the customer-facing aspect.

Afraid that far different probably isn't an option as I have a missus who i've done long distance with for years already (it is kack.) However she will finish her degree in the next year so one of the top items on the list is to travel for a year and work out what the hell I want to do. She will be a qualified midwife so moving around is possible fortunately.

 

[randal]

I wish the same could be said of my IT skills, though sadly (particularly over the past three years), they have stagnated. In the main, this is due to me working within a large corporate environment where I have been pigeon holed into a very specific role. The money is very reasonable and affords me (and my OH) a good quality of life and disposable income, which is the main reason I've stuck it out and not moved on.

Exactly the same here, to the letter in fact.

I yearn to work for a smaller company again, I'm even considering taking a drop in pay to get something that fits the bill. In my experience, corporate IT is a guffawing, buzz-word driven hell hole that's been allowed to grow into an acronym flooded mess so entangled in it's own sense of importance it's forever sawing off the branch it's sitting on.

The question I have for everyone is: Who's left a permanent position to go contracting? What was your experience, any tips?

 

[Shicky]

Exactly the same here, to the letter in fact.

I yearn to work for a smaller company again, I'm even considering taking a drop in pay to get something that fits the bill. In my experience, corporate IT is a guffawing, buzz-word driven hell hole that's been allowed to grow into an acronym flooded mess so entangled in it's own sense of importance it's forever sawing off the branch it's sitting on.

The question I have for everyone is: Who's left a permanent position to go contracting? What was your experience, any tips?

Hacker News ruins my day when I read about all the interesting things some startups are doing. Makes me feel similar in regards to sticking with smaller companies where the top value is producing great stuff for your customers - much tougher work but so much more rewarding

 

[randal]

Well that's part of the problem Shicky, there are no real technical challenges in corporate IT any more for me. I spend most of my day raising change requests and tickets for other groups to make changes, some which can take weeks to go through various processes and review gates to achieve.

I remember a time where you could raise a ticket to cover someone's work, walk across the office and ask them to do it. Racking a server used to take me a couple of hours to get an IP, VLAN configured, racked up, base OS built and deployed. Now it takes weeks, if not longer.

Spend more time chasing the red tape around the place than actually doing proper work.

I understand the need for process, I understand why a company would want to have such mechanisms in place but rarely are they implemented in an efficient manner and as mentioned above just serve to obfuscate a job which should take a fraction of the time to complete.

The frustrations aside, my other main driver for wanting to work for a small company is to get back to a sense of pride and ownership in a job. To know that what you're doing will actually have an impact, to know that it'll be recognised. To also know that if you **** it up then you're in the firing line. A job where you really don't mind staying late to do something, or get in early to make a dent on. Something I think that is sorely missing for corporations, that eagerness and desire to go the extra mile hasn't been around in my experience for some time because it just doesn't get the recognition it deserves.