Need a new career

username123

I just dont enjoy my job.

Im a software engineer, 16 years experience, experience with a variety of different programming languages, platforms, environments. Im quite a good all rounder although my most marketable skills are in 3 specific areas.

I have 2 degrees (one in software engineering, one in philosophy) a post grad in IT, Im currently doing a masters in philosophy, and I also have a certHE in Astronomy.

Generally speaking I like problem solving. But I find the kind of problem solving I am required to in my work environment repetitive and boring. I think Im just burnt out in IT.

I dont know what else to do with myself though. My entire professional career has been in IT. I have a good salary. If I were to do something else Id probably have to take a massive salary drop.

It might sound a bit "whats it all about" but I just feel my whole working life since college to date has just been about making grey old men richer - with nothing much for me. No real job satisfaction.

And I still sort of feel that I dont know what Id like to be when I grow up! I did the philosophy degree and am doing the masters out of interest, not really as a career prospect.

Anyone any advice or words of wisdom?

MickeyD

I've thought about this myself a bit in the past, same field but not in it as long as you. I would like to go back and something like immunology: apply problem solving that actually benefits humanity rather than improving people's ability to upload duck faces. But then as you say, you're starting from scratch and can be hard to go back to no or low income and several more years of study.

You could try start your own business - probably more effort than the standard desk job but more rewarding I'd imagine. Hard to come up with something to do but if it took off then you could focus your efforts on something else without having to worry about money so much.

You could also try traveling around a bit and maybe relocate somewhere else afterwards and see if its any different. Personally I don't see that being a long term solution if it's just the same job you're gonna be doing but it seems to work for some people.

Daisymay2007

We must be on the same wave length because I have been searching boards for a topic like this...in the exact same position as you at the moment. To say I 'hate' my job doesn't really fit. I don't do anything and I am allowed sit here and not do anything....some may say that sounds brilliant but its not. Like yourself, I am educated to quite a high degree but I feel like I am losing brain cells as every day passes.......anyways, I have contacted a friend of mine who did some free career guidance counselling with someone who is doing a masters in counselling and guidance. I am hoping that she can do some free sessions with me as part of her studies. Maybe you need an outsider to help you put things into perspective?

D1stant

username123 wrote: »

I just dont enjoy my job.

Im a software engineer, 16 years experience, experience with a variety of different programming languages, platforms, environments. Im quite a good all rounder although my most marketable skills are in 3 specific areas.

I have 2 degrees (one in software engineering, one in philosophy) a post grad in IT, Im currently doing a masters in philosophy, and I also have a certHE in Astronomy.

Generally speaking I like problem solving. But I find the kind of problem solving I am required to in my work environment repetitive and boring. I think Im just burnt out in IT.

I dont know what else to do with myself though. My entire professional career has been in IT. I have a good salary. If I were to do something else Id probably have to take a massive salary drop.

It might sound a bit "whats it all about" but I just feel my whole working life since college to date has just been about making grey old men richer - with nothing much for me. No real job satisfaction.

And I still sort of feel that I dont know what Id like to be when I grow up! I did the philosophy degree and am doing the masters out of interest, not really as a career prospect.

Anyone any advice or words of wisdom?

First thing is don't do anything rash until you have thought stuff out

How much money do you need to pay the bills & save a little? That would be the starting point for me. If you have kids, your options may be limited

Have you thought about diversifying a little. I mean staying in IT/Tech but in a customer facing role for example. There is still a technical bedrock, but travel, variety and different kinds of problem solving

grahamor

Daisymay2007 wrote: »

I don't do anything and I am allowed sit here and not do anything...

If i was you i'd be using the time to read up on new careers and teach yourself some new skills. Even keeping yourself informed with current affairs would be time well spent. And you are being paid for it !

username123

Thanks guys, some really good points being made here.

Im not in a position to travel around, tied to a mortgage, no kids though so at least only myself and himself to worry about financially.

Starting my own business - I like this idea, but doing what?

Actually the jobs where Ive been happiest in life have been jobs where I was customer facing. Ive worked in supermarkets and restaurants and loved it. But the type of work I actually liked were very low paying!!

Ive done some teacher/trainer work also and enjoyed it but lecturer jobs are thin on the ground and not usually in areas where my skills lie. (I do keep an eye out though).

Im not even really about the money, so long as there is enough money to pay the mortgage and have a "normal" standard of living Im happy. But I just feel I am wasting my life working in a role I dont really like and that later Ill look back and regret it.

I was made redundant a few years back and self financed 2 years study - I LOVED it so much. I just love studying. Its a kind of bizarre thing about me but I really enjoy studying. I was totally happy then except I earned nothing.

When I first started working after college I had this feeling of "is this it?" and it has never really gone away but life does provide distractions so it wasnt constant. I worked with a really nice group of people though for a long time so at least that aspect was nice. In my current role the boss is not a nice person and the environment is just not that nice so I think that this is also fuelling my discontent. But the underlying issue is really "is this it?".

um7y1h83ge06nx

This happens so much in IT and I'm not sure why.

I'm a Software Engineer too and graduated in 2005.

I feel like you too sometimes, I sort of feel like the world is passing me by in many ways.

Still the pay is pretty good, employer is flexible and I have the option to work from home.

I try to keep myself fresh learning new things but that can be difficult sometimes.

At this stage as others have said it's pretty difficult to make a career change and take a large paycut.

Recently I've been having irrational worries about getting completely burnt out and being left with no employment opportunities and on the scrap heap. I'm only 30 FFS! Anyone else get this?

username123

In my last job I was there for years and years and was the resident go to expert for pretty much all of the systems. After a while it just becomes same thing day in and day out and even if its interrupted with a nice problem to solve, there can be a lot of stress involved in finding that problem.

I used to suffer from a feeling of "theyre going to realise Im not worth being paid this much" too.

Now the role Im in is pretty boring and samey, the boss isnt nice, the location isnt great, but the money is good. But I think Ive just come to the end of the techie road.

I dont know why this happens a lot in IT - I have seen it with other friends in IT too.

Ive often thought Id have more job satisfaction as a postman - getting plenty of fresh air and exercise and being left to my own thoughts daily.

um7y1h83ge06nx

Sometime late last year the girlfriend and I were in Glendalough. We came across the little information house they have there. Afterwards I was saying how cool would it be to work there, taking care of the place and engaging with visitors. Some change from IT!

These days it's hard to complain too much about jobs as relatively speaking we're very, very lucky. And I suppose that can help contribute to people feeling like you and me. There are plenty of jobs out there, pay is fairly decent, why jump into the unknown? We get too lazy and comfortable.

Lately though that irrational fear of traveling down this road and finding a dead-end is really getting to me. I think it has a lot to do with the fact that my parents, ex girlfriend and current girlfriend all have permanent public sector jobs. I feel super high-risk in comparison to them.

I've came up with a few ideas for myself recently:

1. I'm more than my job. I find I can fall into the trap of defining myself by my job and that's a terrible way to be. I do so much outside of work that defines me and should do much more.

2. Open to setting up a business. Easier said than done of course but I'm trying to keep an open mind!

3. Study and further education. I try to keep abreast of new technology as much as I can. Also I'm seriously looking to move into other areas of IT. Considering doing some project management certifications to get in the door there. There was a spring course starting soon I could do but reckon I should try and change position soon after the course in order to make use of it and I'm not really ready to leave my current company yet. Maybe the autumn course though.

username123

The Glendalough job sounds lovely. Youve actually hit a very important nail on the head there, Id like to engage pleasantly with people instead of most of my engagement being repetitive and technical.

I totally agree, we are lucky in that sense, but I want more than just being lucky to earn a wage.

I feel exactly the same re public sector jobs. Particularly that I have been through a redundancy that was very bitter. I will never feel really safe in any job now.

I continue to study. My next course lined up after the MA in philosophy is a stand alone Maths post grad. Again, just because it interests me - but it wont harm my CV.

Ive thought about volunteering as a teacher for adult literacy - it would be something rewarding and get more teaching experience onto my CV also. At the moment Im pressed for time with study but Im just trying to think of small ways to broaden my scope.

Mrs OBumble

username123 wrote: »

The Glendalough job sounds lovely. Youve actually hit a very important nail on the head there, Id like to engage pleasantly with people instead of most of my engagement being repetitive and technical.

Hate to break it to you, but most customer facing jobs become repetitive very quickly.

There are only so many times that you can find any freshness in telling people the same story.

And having to deal with inane people can be ... frustrating as well as low paid.

username123

Mrs OBumble wrote: »

Hate to break it to you, but most customer facing jobs become repetitive very quickly.

There are only so many times that you can find any freshness in telling people the same story.

And having to deal with inane people can be ... frustrating as well as low paid.

I think youve probably hit upon a great and horrible truth of life here - most jobs become repetitive after a while.

MickeyD

Yeah, even if you're a rock star you're going to end up playing gigs all the time, playing those same 10 songs that everybody wants to hear. Thing is if you really like it then I don't think the repetitiveness would get to you as much.

D1stant

username123 wrote: »

I think youve probably hit upon a great and horrible truth of life here - most jobs become repetitive after a while.

Ah I don't know. I work in hi-tech also but on the technology sales side. I travel a lot, too much sometimes but its rarely boring or repetitive. You get to meet lots of different characters and if you can bring humanity to the role - its can be very fulfilling.

For me technology is interesting, but I don't spend time at night reading up on new specifications, and most people who have been in it for a few years feel like that. For me the sweet spot is technology as a base, then go out and relate to people, have a bit of fun and enjoy it. But that's just me and I realise I'm very fortunate to do something I really enjoy.Working in a cube coding would be hell to me.

dazberry

You can add my name to the list of old burned out IT people, currently floundering in their career and not knowing where to go - was contemplating a "where do old programmers go to die" thread on the programming forum.

While I've had a somewhat mediocre career over the last 20 years, I pretty well kept on top of the patterns and methodologies over those years, problem is that I didn't stay "on trend". So 3 years ago I really had to try and get "on trend" again, left a long term job, massive pay cut and shunted back to mid-level, and that's where I founder today.

I've had a few jobs since, and the current one is desperately boring. I'm trying to stick it out so my CV doesn't look like swiss cheese, and by "time spent get useful on paper experience" while struggling to fill in the many holes in my spare time, but the boredom is killing me and I now have the motivation of a stone

D.

username123

username123 wrote: »

Starting my own business - I like this idea, but doing what?

Actually the jobs where Ive been happiest in life have been jobs where I was customer facing. Ive worked in supermarkets and restaurants and loved it. But the type of work I actually liked were very low paying!!

IT consultancy?? Or some other kind of consultancy? Work for yourself, meet loads of people

sneakyST

Another burned out IT person here, or was. I was fed up so a year or so ago I helped set up a business. A steep learning curve and we struggled. It's turning around only now. I've since then set up another business before Xmas. It's been tough but really enjoyable due to the different people you meet and the variety of day to day stuff.

If I did this ten years ago I would have done it to be a millionaire, but the reality now is paying the bills and enjoying work and family things again. This has to work for me as the thoughts of having to go back to a regular day job kills me, not to mention the torture of going through ****ty interview questions.

If anyone is going to go it alone be prepared to work hard and sometimes for free in the beginning......

um7y1h83ge06nx

@dazberry, staying on trend can be a painful part of the job..I find it can necessitate leaving companies in order to stay on trend.

The two previous companies I left mainly as I reckoned I was getting pigeon holed. In fact that's probably my biggest motivation for considering to leave a company, to keep myself relevant

LadyBetty

Nice to see others feel this way, I identify very strongly with you guys on this - I'm an accountant and completely unfulfilled by the pointless work that I do.

Mid-thirties so only halfway through my career really, fully recognising there's an issue so trying to make positive changes - contemplating a career change but not sure what to do and questioning if a change at this point is simply a pipe dream?!

Have a big interest in psychology, looking at studying this part-time in the Autumn but no idea what direction to take career-wise with it - lecturing appeals, but as Username123 points out, lecturing jobs are thin on the ground! At least I would feel as though I was helping people, a welcome change from staring at spreadsheets all day

I too was made redundant & on the dole for several months, it left me seriously disillusioned with the whole industry. I have had a couple of high-profile (i.e.high stress), well paid jobs in multinationals, back when I was in my 20's and ambitious.

Now I am in a crummy short term contract with utterly meaningless work, the contract could be over any minute & I'd be out of work again! Searching for permanent roles every day but in the region I now live in there are very limited opportunities. Plus my heart isn't in the finance profession anymore, looking for another finance job almost gets me down!

I do not want to reach 40 and look back with regret that I didn't start towards a new career path.

BrookieD

dunno if you are interested OP but I work for Concern and have a vacancy - https://jobs.concern.net/VacancyDetail.aspx?VacancyUID=000000002037

Think the pay might be a bit low but if interested shout me

username123

BrookieD wrote: »

dunno if you are interested OP but I work for Concern and have a vacancy - https://jobs.concern.net/VacancyDetail.aspx?VacancyUID=000000002037

Think the pay might be a bit low but if interested shout me

Hey thanks a mill, the pay is too low for me, I really couldn't afford my mortgage etc on it. But I really appreciate the sentiment.

Chronically Bad Farts

sneakyST wrote: »

Another burned out IT person here, or was. I was fed up so a year or so ago I helped set up a business. A steep learning curve and we struggled. It's turning around only now. I've since then set up another business before Xmas. It's been tough but really enjoyable due to the different people you meet and the variety of day to day stuff.

If I did this ten years ago I would have done it to be a millionaire, but the reality now is paying the bills and enjoying work and family things again. This has to work for me as the thoughts of having to go back to a regular day job kills me, not to mention the torture of going through ****ty interview questions.

If anyone is going to go it alone be prepared to work hard and sometimes for free in the beginning......

Fair play to you.
There is no greater feeling than working hard for YOURSELF and not breaking your ass working long hours for someone else.

fatboypee

I have a great I.T. job. The team I work with are excellent. The company is an utter basket case but I get the opportunity to design and innovate every day. Like you, o.p. however, I cannot find the motivation. It simply bores me now and my appetite for it is gone. This is not good news as I need the job to keep afloat but I can't seem to get energised enough. This speaks volumes as, if this job still won't cut it for me I don't think any will, in any profession. As mentioned here all jobs I have had have all got boring. Every single one of them. I don't know what to do either but I reckon it lies in either my own business or pursuit of something I am passionate about. meamtime the key seems for me to occupy myself with stuff outside work. It seems to lessen the angst of being bored in work ...

floyd333

Wow. I don't feel too alone after reading this thread!!

I've worked in IT for over 15 years and I hate it. I hate working in an office, at a little desk, surrounded by people who I have nothing in common with. Some of the guys I work with are really passionate about technology, they have their own blogs, code at home and are obsessed with the latest things. I'm not as bothered. I''ll get the job but done but I won't loose any sleep if it's not the most nerdy, minimalistic solution. In my experience IT attracts too many odd balls. I'd have more fun working with a herd of sheep than some of the people I've met.


It's hard to walk away though. IT pays well, there are lots of jobs. I have a reasonably good lifestyle. Also, I have a mortgage and want to settle down soonish. I feel I have another calling but I'm not sure what it is. I'd love to do a course in something completely different like anthropology or history or nutrition. Anything but IT!!

Running your own business sounds so rewarding, but it's hard to start it, especially if you have commitments.

Oh to be 17 again and filling in the CAO form

Tails142

Great to read this thread and see that there are so many people in a similar situation to me.

I've just turned 30 and this summer will be 6 years in my job. I never thought I'd be working here this long, but as a civil engineer on one hand I count myself lucky that I have a job which is secure, but on the other the pay isn't where I want it to be and the day to day tasks that I'm given are mundane and offer no challenge. I'm not sure whether the biggest problem is that I can't see any quick way out or that I can look across the lunch table at people and see where I'll be in 40 years time. I think that may be the scariest part as it's not where I want to be but I don't see any way to avoid it.

Maybe this is just my first 'early-life' crisis. I can't shake the feeling that if I don't jump soon I'll be stuck here forever, it feels like every day I go to work I'm just become more unemployable somewhere else.

dixiefly

username123 wrote: »

The Glendalough job sounds lovely. Youve actually hit a very important nail on the head there, Id like to engage pleasantly with people instead of most of my engagement being repetitive and technical.

I totally agree, we are lucky in that sense, but I want more than just being lucky to earn a wage.

I feel exactly the same re public sector jobs. Particularly that I have been through a redundancy that was very bitter. I will never feel really safe in any job now.

I continue to study. My next course lined up after the MA in philosophy is a stand alone Maths post grad. Again, just because it interests me - but it wont harm my CV.

Ive thought about volunteering as a teacher for adult literacy - it would be something rewarding and get more teaching experience onto my CV also. At the moment Im pressed for time with study but Im just trying to think of small ways to broaden my scope.

As a matter of interest where are you planning to do the maths post grad? I am toying with a few maths related courses at the moment in coursera.org as well as some programming courses.

dixiefly

Angelo Old Threat wrote: »

@dazberry, staying on trend can be a painful part of the job..I find it can necessitate leaving companies in order to stay on trend.

The two previous companies I left mainly as I reckoned I was getting pigeon holed. In fact that's probably my biggest motivation for considering to leave a company, to keep myself relevant

Getting the balance between staying on trend and staying in a company when you have become very useful to them is a difficult balancing act. I moved a number of years ago and they appealed for me to stay and were prepared to add a lot to my salary. However my new and old companies closed down around the same time a few years later and I would have received way more in redundancy if I had stayed. I don't regret the move but people need to think them through grass is not always greener on the other side.

I wonder would the OP or others here gain from a reduced working week and use the time saved to start to look at alternatives and perhaps start working in an alternative area part time. Difficult to do though.

username123

dixiefly wrote: »

As a matter of interest where are you planning to do the maths post grad? I am toying with a few maths related courses at the moment in coursera.org as well as some programming courses.

University of London offer one that I like the look of, I did my philosophy degree with them so I'm familiar with how they operate.

I'm thinking the same re a reduced week,it's very difficult to get that though, I tried in my last job on a few occasions to no avail and I'm not long in this role but I can see the lay of the land and they need me full time.