FOAK Career Change?

Not being able to cope with the excitement of my current job any longer, I'm
seriously considering a total change of direction on the old job front.

It will mean a drop in salary and benefits of course but this bloke down the
pub (who no one ever talks too) overheard me discusing my predicament and
suggested I might fancy a career in compootas !

When I was finally restrained and the situation had calmed down somewhat, I
began to think that maybe 'the Geek' had a point. In fact, after the 8th
pint I was positively looking forward to the rest of my life sat in a comfy
chair whilst failing abysmally to contribute anything remotely positive
towards the success of the venture that has appointed me.

Sometime after the 12th pint I began to ask the assorted scum, who
congregate around the free juke box, whether a career as the bit they can't
hardwire between the keyboard & monitor would suit our chosen lifestyle, the
answers were mostly unrepeatable but some significant points were raised . .
.. So perhaps you bunch of tossers could help clarify the following points :-

Will my forehead grow larger?

Will my skin soften?

Will my muscles shrink?

Will wimmin find me unattractive?

Will I suddenly become a Sci-fi efficianado?

Will I buy a bike for its looks rather than its power/handling
characteristics?

Will I buy an R1?

Will I buy co-ordinated leathers, helmet, gloves, boots . . . .?

Will I ever get my knee down?

Will I have to start paying for a 17yr old with 438 NVQ's to service my
'plastic fantastic'?

 

Whilst the general banter is "IT = loads a money for no work" I would point
out that is, in most circumstances (Champ & Darsy excluded) a pragmatic
approach - the reality is a lot of work, long hours and not a lot of fun at
times.

Yes, it beats manual jobs or supermarket shelf stacking, but don't in a
million years think you can just put your current job on the shelf and
immediately drop into an IT job (which part of IT - there are hundreds of
different jobs) paying you loads.

As with lots of things experience helps - a lot.


Also, most companies continue to look for ways to remove "the bit between
the keyboard and the monitor" [1][2]. Lots of uncertainty remains in the IT
job market, however 'upbeat' the reports are making it again (skills
shortage... for the _right_ skills).


But that said, if you can afford unemployment and retraining - go for it.


[1] though that conjures up rather an odd image it has to be said.
[2] automatic or offshore

 

Yes, you can still earn good money in IT (I work in IT Security) however
be prepared for very long hard days, a lot of travel to early meetings,
aggresive deadlines and very high customer expectations and potentially
catastrophic results if you **** up. Personally I have never worked so
hard in my life, and contrary to popular belief most IT jobs of today are
not 'sitting on your arse drinking coffee'

My background is manufacturing and project management, and it was a lot
easier than IT.

<snip>

Nope IMHO

 

Erm, the bit between the keyboard and the monitor is the big beige box
thing, isn't it? Or have I wired mine up all wrong?

I was under the impression that it was the bit between the chair and
the keyboard that caused all the problems.
--
| ___ Salad Dodger
|/ \
_/_____\_ GL1500SEV/CBR1100XXX/KH500A8/TS250C
|_\_____/_| ..73063../..17250.../..3180./.19406
(>|_|_|<) TPPFATUICG#7 DIAABTCOD#9 YTC#4 PM#5
|__|_|__| BOTAFOT #70 BOTAFOF #09 two#11 WG*
\ |^| / IbW#0 & KotIbW# BotTOS#6 GP#4
\|^|/ ANORAK#17 IbB#4
'^'

 

well, I don't work long hours, but what makes you think I don't do a
lot of work?

 

The amount you post to ukrm?

 

you've obviously not noticed, but I post hardly anything to ukrm
during the daytime these days.

 

Tiy still post. Thief.

 

Oh. NM.

 

"Shagnasty" <127.0.0.1> wrote in message

Yes from banging it on the desk.

Probably from spending the daylight hours in a dark datacenter

Have you ever had to install a server in the top of a rack?

That won't change

Only if you learn to spell.

Ask Nigel?

You won't be able to afford to.

It's getting your legover that's the problem

It won't need servicing because you'll be to busy to ride it.

 

are you drunk?

At this time of the day?

 

Very touchy lately aren't you - the _point_ was that you don't say how hard
it is but comment on money for old rope etc etc..

Sheesh.

 

Your posts along the lines (joking as they are)?

Geez, the two people who I thought would see a joke appear to have taken it
seriously.

 

The old soul is moving house so he'll be a bit stressed at the moment.
No need to get all uppity by return.

 

just as an exercise, could you point one out?

Being fair, I suppose, I don't work "hard" nowadays, compared to
summer jobs in engineering works etc. I like to think I "work smart",
though.

not at all - my replies weren't for /your/ benefit.

 

Says he who replied to a post which appears [1] to be one huge joke.

[1] Is it the christmas holidays yet?

 

*lovely*

 

Shit happens

 

*ding*

I'm also extremely fortunate that in my present job, don't have to try
*too* hard to look bloody good compared to the other 2 members of the
organisation at the same level as me, both of whom are workshy French.

 

Something of a tautology here, darsers.

Like saying "smelly French", really.

Back to topic, I know I'm better than the rest of the crew, but the only
reason why I'm better than one of them is because I've got 20 years'
head start. He's one of those wonder boys that everyone can see is
destined for great things. Ho hum.

Never mind; I'll always be able to point at him and say: "See him? Gave
him his first job, I did....."