I've been navigating the IT industry for quite some time on and off. I started my journey in 2009 after Uni with web development, primarily working with basic HTML, CSS, and a bit of JavaScript.
Over the years, I transitioned into application support and various other IT roles but never really mastered anything to a very high technical level. However, after some time, I stepped away from the industry due to stages of unemployment and mental health. I explore other opportunities, including delivery driving and retraining as an electrician.
This break was accompanied by personal challenges, including a battle with depression and a period of extended sick leave. Eventually, I found my way back to IT, focusing on technical support roles. I've worked for different companies, always in the same field. While I appreciate the stability, I'm now eager to advance, earn more money, and explore career options beyond the help desk. I am at the age of 44.
Programming is appealing because of the high salaries and potential for remote work, which I value since my current IT support role is fully remote. However, I found learning programming difficult—it requires a lot of time and patience, which I’ve struggled with.
I’m looking for alternative IT career paths that are financially rewarding, offer remote opportunities, and don’t take years to break into. I thought about maybe staying in infrastructure working my way up as a sysadmin or cloud engineer. But then I hold back wondering whether the job will pay as well as a web developer etc. Any advice on how to align my goals with a practical, achievable direction would be greatly appreciated.
I should maybe mention that I could possibly have ADHD undiagnosed. I find it hard to make decisions as well as constantly changing things, sometimes I have difficulty with concentration. I sometimes think I am hopeless and not achieving anything with my life which makes me feel so much frustrated when I see my peers and other people getting on with their lives and succeeding
Over the years, I transitioned into application support and various other IT roles but never really mastered anything to a very high technical level. However, after some time, I stepped away from the industry due to stages of unemployment and mental health. I explore other opportunities, including delivery driving and retraining as an electrician.
This break was accompanied by personal challenges, including a battle with depression and a period of extended sick leave. Eventually, I found my way back to IT, focusing on technical support roles. I've worked for different companies, always in the same field. While I appreciate the stability, I'm now eager to advance, earn more money, and explore career options beyond the help desk. I am at the age of 44.
Programming is appealing because of the high salaries and potential for remote work, which I value since my current IT support role is fully remote. However, I found learning programming difficult—it requires a lot of time and patience, which I’ve struggled with.
I’m looking for alternative IT career paths that are financially rewarding, offer remote opportunities, and don’t take years to break into. I thought about maybe staying in infrastructure working my way up as a sysadmin or cloud engineer. But then I hold back wondering whether the job will pay as well as a web developer etc. Any advice on how to align my goals with a practical, achievable direction would be greatly appreciated.
I should maybe mention that I could possibly have ADHD undiagnosed. I find it hard to make decisions as well as constantly changing things, sometimes I have difficulty with concentration. I sometimes think I am hopeless and not achieving anything with my life which makes me feel so much frustrated when I see my peers and other people getting on with their lives and succeeding