change career - IT burnout

bridest

i'm really thinking of changing career. I've been working in the computer industry since 1998. Got some teaching work over the past number of years, which I love, but never anything permenant - going from contract to contract. Back behind a desk again and it's driving me nuts. My back is at me again and just fed up staring at a screen all day. I was considering applying for to an outdoor activity trainer course, but doesn't appear to be much work in that area.

other options might be to go study as a physio or osteotherapist or nutrionist , just throwing ideas out there, just fed up with the deskjob lifestyle. any ideas?

InReality

Counsellor and massage therapist are jobs I've thought of doing.
I'd like to join the garda reserve too but that's pretty much full now.
Army would be another option depending on your age.

Nursing perhaps ?

bridest

I had thought of becoming a massage therapist, hadn't thought of a counselor and that sounds good. Yes, I'd thought of the army, but probably getting too old for that at 34.

A Greedy Algorithm

bridest wrote: »

I had thought of becoming a massage therapist, hadn't thought of a counselor and that sounds good. Yes, I'd thought of the army, but probably getting too old for that at 34.

The British Army might take you in.

Mr. Loverman

It's going to be hard to escape the desk.

Physio sounds like a great option though. Can you afford to go back to college?

bridest

yes, i've savings, but 34 this year, if I go back i'll be 38 finishing, with no savings and probably in debt!

Elessar

Are you sure it's the industry and not just the job? What area are you in? Could you branch out into a different area, or change job...there's tonnes of work for experienced IT people.

officeworker

Hello. I am in a somewhat similar situation- I am just fed up with the office life. I want to do something else but I cant quite decide what it is! I have been working in an office since I graduate in 2006 but I know that I cant continue this forever more!! there is so much info online about changing career an matching your career to your personality but frankly its overwhelming! if anyone has any valuable advice it would be greatly appreciated! I hope you are getting on well bridest!

bridest

hi, I've been accepted to an outdoor adventure instructor trainer course. It's 1 year full time. It would mean me fully supporting myself for 1 year because I would not be entitled to any help from social welfare. I'm not sure what to do. Starts in 3 weeks.

What sort of jobs did you have when you were in college the first time, maybe go back to waiting in a restaurants or working in a pub or retail part time or even cleaning, just see yourself as any other student looking for a part time job while in college don't think of your age.

bridest

Yes, I done all of the above, worked in bars, cleaned toilets. I didn't mind the cleaning jobs too much, was a fun time in my life.

bridest

bridest wrote: »

Yes, I done all of the above, worked in bars, cleaned toilets. I didn't mind the cleaning jobs too much, was a fun time in my life.

If you are not already involved in hillwalking, climbing, cannoning ect, you should get involved with them now, organised hillwalking where the leader is paid is popular you wont make a fortune but its something to think of, you also could become a yoga and/or Pilates instructor and combine that with outdoor pursuits and basically become self employed.

Your IT skills wont go away so maybe you will end up with 2 or 3 different part time jobs and you might be happier that way.

hmmm

mariaalice wrote: »

If you are not already involved in hillwalking, climbing, cannoning ect, you should get involved with them now.

There's shedloads of people who are mad into outdoor sports who are or are trying to make a living from instructing or leading outdoors, and most of them are barely scraping by. I don't think this route is any way worthwhile for someone "who doesn't know what they want to do".

hmmm

hmmm wrote: »

There's shedloads of people who are mad into outdoor sports who are or are trying to make a living from instructing or leading outdoors, and most of them are barely scraping by. I don't think this route is any way worthwhile for someone "who doesn't know what they want to do".

I said he/she wont make a fortune the trick is combining it with other ways of making an income, and as the OP already works in IT, he/she might end up doing both part time its not exactly a new career but its realistic.

bridest

bridest wrote: »

hi, I've been accepted to an outdoor adventure instructor trainer course. It's 1 year full time. It would mean me fully supporting myself for 1 year because I would not be entitled to any help from social welfare. I'm not sure what to do. Starts in 3 weeks.

The work is very seasonal but the more certs you have the better.

You said above your back hurts - be very careful in the outdoors as it is very physical lifting kayaks etc.

If you do go ahead with it maybe get fit now in preparation (if you aren't already)

hmmm

mariaalice wrote: »

I said he/she wont make a fortune the trick is combining it with other ways of making an income, and as the OP already works in IT, he/she might end up doing both part time its not exactly a new career but its realistic.

It's not realistic. The OP has shown no interest or aptitude for something like outdoor adventure work, and they will be competing against people who are passionate about what they do. Even if they somehow succeed, the pay will be terrible. Wasting a year of your life at this stage doing something you've no real interest in would be a bad idea IMO.

beauf

Perhaps consider it like a career break maybe.

I think if you were serious about working away from a desk you'd be doing something outside of work that was related to some activity already.

So maybe start trying things at the weekend. Going cold into something complete ly d different seems extreme change.

bridest

Hi,
i'm already quite fit, and have managed to sort out where the back pain in coming from. I've a 2 star BCU in kayaking, not much but a start!

bridest

hmmm wrote: »

It's not realistic. The OP has shown no interest or aptitude for something like outdoor adventure work, and they will be competing against people who are passionate about what they do. Even if they somehow succeed, the pay will be terrible. Wasting a year of your life at this stage doing something you've no real interest in would be a bad idea IMO.

I know the pay will be terrible. I'm already involved with the local tri club and have some kayaking experience - so I wouldn't say I've shown no interest!

bridest

bridest wrote: »

I know the pay will be terrible. I'm already involved with the local tri club and have some kayaking experience - so I wouldn't say I've shown no interest!

Go for it if you want, but its very much a clique and insanely competitive in Ireland, don't know if its like that in any other country. A friend of my sisters has a small business as a paid guide leader so can be done.

bridest

think i've had a change of heart alright. looking at doing the CELTA teaching cert to add to my other qualifications and will look at getting work abroad in the new year.