Life Turning Point...

Stelly

Stelly

Stelly

Don
Joined
5 Oct 2005
Posts
11,273
Location
Liverpool
Hi All,

I never normally like posting things like this, but at least its not some sob story about my misses being a hoe :)

Well I'm at a turning point in my life at the moment and I dont know what to do about it, I have been debating it for the last month, now normally I'm the type of person that it will take a few minutes to make a decision and stick by it but with this one I'm not sure what to do...

I have been within local government for the past few years (5 years) on about £21k doing 1/2 line support, server support, ASP.NET and MS SQL programming, project managing, and other stuff... dont get me wrong its quite easy but its starting to hold me back on the things that I want to do... for example new car, house, things that I want in my life...

I have have a degree in Computer Science and Business, as well as a Master's degree in Business Information Systems, my A levels, and GCSEs... I wanted to do some more training but got turned down by the body that I work for, I dont see any more perks within the job, and I'm starting to feel unsafe within the job (political change)...

I have been putting my feelers out to agencies and they only seems to be offering me aroun £24/£25k and those are doing shifts, I myself think that I'm work more then that, but I'm now wondering if I'm wrong to be thinking that... if so I dont think that an extra £4k a year is worth the hassle of getting out of a job that I can do quite easily, have 30 days holiday, and very flexible time.

Getting a job in another place (private sector) would look good on my CV as at the moment all I have done is public sector work, and I know that this can limit me when it comes to getting jobs within the private sector.

I do sorta feel like the place that I'm working at the moment is a bit of a sinking ship but I could wait for redundancy, IF it happens, but then that might not happen and its at least another 9/10 months off...

As you can see I'm pretty confused at what to do, well, very confused at what to do... especially with the turn down in the economy I would feel more safe within the public sector if everything does get that bad, am I doing this all at the wrong time? Should I wait to see what happens with the financial markets before actually committing to something?

All advice is welcome, and thanks in advance!

Stelly
 
Don't know what to suggest really. Sorry to be unhelpful, but 'if I had to say anything on topic, then it would be go private if job security is in doubt'.

Best of luck!
 
do some more looking around, join some specialist agencies or just keep your eyes on the job market. i was "looking" for a good few months prior to me really going for it and actually going for interviews.

i used monster (which was pretty rubbish), reed.co.uk and the local touchnottingham job site (where i ultimately got my new job through).

in terms of when to move, i expect every company needs IT people to some degree and in general people always move jobs either through promotion or another opportunity so there should always be something. it also depends on how flexible you are able to be as the what kind of opportunities are out there, for example can you commute etc.

if you can do the job easily then you must be bored poopless, that was enough to make me leave my last job, so if you can stand the boredom and lack of challenge then stay! if not, look for something else.
 
With your qualifications I would personally be expecting quite a lot more money than you are earning.I earn more than you and i havent got a single A level and my gcse results were poor with none of them above a C grade :D
Then again i have 15 years experience within my workplace so i guess experience does count for something sometimes.Personally I would stay a while but keep applying for new/better paid jobs and if one does come up before yo get made redundant then take it.If not then at least you will get a reasonable sum to keep you afloat while yu seek new employment.
 
Hi All

Thanks for the replies...

Patience... yes it could be better at times... I just get my things done, and expect people to work as fast as me I guess...

I'm being offered jobs but below what I have been expecting, really, and £25k for night doing nights as well!!!

Swizterland, I dont see why not to be honest with you, as long as the pay was right :) you can mail me: stelly at gmail dot com

I have three interviews next week, but none that I can say I definately want without a shadow of a doubt...

Stelly
 
5 Years experience + Degree + Masters should be good for more than 25K. I think you just need to look in the right places.

I work in the public sector and have done so for the last 7 years. The reasons I am staying here until I am ready are:

ill health (stable at the moment and I am testing it!)
pension (hurray)
Training (awaiting my ITIL and PRINCE2)
I procrastinate too much and tend to be lazy (as in I prefer to be at a state of rest!)
 
Hi,

Right places? I would like to know these places please :)

I would stay if I was given training, but thats not going to happen...


Stelly
 
Stelly, you seem over qualified to not be earning a good salary. Go for a job in the private sector and maybe move to London for moar money!

But let us know how you get on!
 
Hi Voltar...

What are you doing at the moment? I was just wondering... I also split what I want to go into either server support or web development... I'm split.

Stelly
 
Student atm *mate. But You seem to be very well qualified etc, so just trying to provide with a vaguely helpful answer.

*Currently working in a Law firm in Madrid until further notice, but will be back to finish my degree in September, then after that hopefully get on board with a firm (so seems for me fairly important)
 
Hi,

Also if I'm not getting offered over £25 in the northwest, how am I going to make it in London Town? :)

Stelly
 
Easily, wages are good afaik in Londres. Have you been researching new possbilities? Like eg web support in a big company? There's always IT departments in most companies. Maybe a starting point? But remember, this is not my field, just what I would consider doing myself.
How much research have you done into different job prospects etc?
 
Stelly said:
Hi,

Right places? I would like to know these places please :)

I would stay if I was given training, but thats not going to happen...


Stelly
Click to expand...

Computer Weekly jobs? I am not sure what exactly quantifies as the "right" places but I know that your qualifications and experience is good for more than 25K.

I earn more than 25k for a job that at its most strenuous involves deciding if I should have coffee or coke.
 
well I was looking for a lot more then what I'm getting now... I have had enough with being paid nothing for doing, well, everything...

Stelly
 
Check cwjobs?
Offers seem to be ~25k-30k for an ASP/SQL dev in liverpool

I know it doesnt help but if you've done an MSc and worked 21k for 5 years you seem to have lost all drive. What do you want from a job? And what do you need to do to get there? ...Make a start :D
 
I've switched jobs 3 times in 2 years, each time getting more money, but still on bugger all, but you just gotta be clever about it.

Was told yesterday i might be made redundant due to lack of work, redid my CV and put it up last night, have had 2 agencies ring me already saying they've got jobs wanting my skills.

My degree is in Information Technology and Business management, but i would seriously consider not putting degrees on paper, they put employers off because of the type of people rgaduates usually are (Work? i haven't done that before so i don't know wtf i'm doing, but i can pour a good pint!).

5 years in same job for me would be beyond comprehending. 2% payrise is it per year? switching jobs i'll get closer to 10% every 6 months.
 
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