Is this really for me?

I suppose I'm just looking for some general career advice here. At the moment I'm working in IT as a technician, mostly repairs, builds and phone based tech support. I'm quitting my job next month after a string of personal issues came up and I decided to move closer to my family until I get back on my feet.

I really don't want to be in IT for several reasons but the main one is that it started off as a hobby and now that its progressed into a job it feels like I'm doing it all the time. I was talking to my aunt about this on Saturday and while doing so I get a call from someone looking for advice on a machine that wouldn't boot - it's like I'm on call all the time. I took two weeks off during February, holidays I hadn't taken off previously, and got a string of calls from work looking for advice. And when I move back I think its going to get worse. My family and friends want me to start a business doing it.

The thing is, I want to do something else so I'll find it much easier to switch off in the evening. I've been fascinated by public transport for years and was looking into Iarnród Éireann and Dublin Bus, either driving trains or buses, but when I said this to one of my parents lately they said "this is a dream you should have given up a long time ago" and that IT is my way forward. I also have an uncle who's retired from An Post who said he could get me in there if I wanted to, its not something I'd rule out in future. Anything else I'd like to do would require 5 years in college and that's not something I fancy.

One of my colleagues in my current job said I'm "sh*t hot" at what I do but if I'm not happy in it then is there much point?

RedXIV

This is entirely up to you. You probably can make just as good money in different jobs, someone told me the other day that the dublin bus drivers are on savage money so the financial aspect isn't much of a worry.

Best example i can give you is my own father, been in the guards since he was 21, 48 now and retiring in 3 years, thats his plan. But he's been a geek all his life, like you, constantly called on for IT advice, he's the reason i'm in the middle of a computer course today. He spent 10 years getting a degree in computer science and wants to do one of the industrial hardware courses starting in september. All this is so when he retires, he can make a living doing something he enjoys and is good at. Youth is NOT a requisite for your current career so if you want to make a break for it, do so. you have industry experience so you can get back in if you desire. Do what makes you happy, you can't really fail in this position can you?

Well the money I'm on at the moment is pretty crappy. I'm sharing a house because there's no way I'd be able to afford my own place, at least not in Dublin anyway.

The money aspect of IE and Dublin Bus certainly came to mind alright. The former is out of the question at least until they lift their recruitment ban.

RedXIV

man i'm going up to take a project co-ordinator position in dublin for the summer in a nice big company. and i still need a second job to cover my bills. AND i'm sharing a house. Dublin is ridiculously expensive.
People in the public transport industry have a massive variety of ages so obviously, retirement is approaching soon for some. This will lift the ban no doubt. and if all else fails, plenty of other places need transport in this world

dazberry

Karsini wrote: »

One of my colleagues in my current job said I'm "sh*t hot" at what I do but if I'm not happy in it then is there much point?

Just make sure its not that job getting to you - one job does not a career break...

Its very easy to feel like chucking it all in (and consequently romanticising other careers) when you're fed up. I've written software for the last 14 years and even recently I was thinking about packing it all in - but I love what I do - just that I detest where I currently do it. For me its time for a job change anyway...

D.

Tom Dunne

Karsini wrote: »

One of my colleagues in my current job said I'm "sh*t hot" at what I do but if I'm not happy in it then is there much point?

There is the crux of the matter. Personally, I value happiness over everything.

If you aren't happy at doing something, why do it? As somebody who has in the past been miserable in my job, it had several unpleasant knock-on effects in my personal life.

It just isn't worth it.

Do what makes you happy. Everything else will follow.

all the stars

Tom Dunne wrote: »

There is the crux of the matter. Personally, I value happiness over everything.

If you aren't happy at doing something, why do it? As somebody who has in the past been miserable in my job, it had several unpleasant knock-on effects in my personal life.

It just isn't worth it.

Do what makes you happy. Everything else will follow.

indeed - i really do agree with that -!

tom, how did you get into your job?

Tom Dunne

all the stars wrote: »

tom, how did you get into your job?

Which job?

MIN2511

It's amazing how many of us are doing our current jobs for money, i have been thinking lately about what i really want to do vs what i am doing.

OP, leave while you can. Weigh the pros and cons of your current job vs your dream job and then decide

jmcwobbles

+1 leave IT and chase the dream!

Also, I think Dublin Bus would be better than IE anyway - IE train drivers don't interact with the people so if you're into people watching or anything like that Dublin Bus would be more enjoyable IMO

Velocitee

Just wanted to give my 2c (I'm in IT too btw)

I know what you mean about doing what you love - it can be grating at times and sometimes you feel like it's not as much fun as you're doing it over and over.

If it was me I'd feel like it was a waste of a degree if I gave up (that's just me - of course if I did certifications or a course that didn't take up as much of my life it would probably be easier to leave)

I'll tell you how I switch off - no-one at work has my mobile number. simple !

If it's really just the people calling outside normal working hours/ asking to do over and above, I would get a company mobile and only give work colleagues this number (say it's my 'new' number to people who had the old number).

If the company wouldn't give a work mobile, I'd buy a cheap €29 pay as you go phone and give people this number - after work, switch it off. (A friend does this and he is much happier). Seriously I know people who burn themselves out working after hours, it makes you hate the job if you're doing it constantly.



The pay might look attractive now (and I was tempted by a state job myself that paid high at the start but promotions/pay increases were all set out and didnt run high at midpoint/end of career)

The reason I didn't take this was I want to eventually set up my own company/consultancy that would be up to me to make the cash. I know of a guy who set up a project management company and has a €450,000 Aston DB9 as his daily driver. If I stuck to a state job I KNOW I would never get this where, if I went out on my own/ got a director-ship in a company, this could happen (or an M5 at least lol)

edit: I don't think I will stay in IT forever - I hope to move up to management/make long-term investments etc. There is always the option of getting a job in the same industry but 'upwards', so when it comes time apply for an IT team leader role? still IT role but people management also - just a thought, as another few years sys admin/department head/ director/ CEO (lol depends on the company structure and how good you are though!)

of course job satisfaction etc must be considered when you make your choice so I only offer the above as my 2c (also I'm not suggesting you do any of what I said above, it is only how I think )

Good luck in what you decide anyway