Life Advice wanted.....

[Polarexplorer]

Hello,
I am 40 and have worked in IT for the past 20 years.

IT is being subcontracted out to India and places like that..... I don't see much future or promotion prospects. I have mainly had contract type work as full time jobs in this industry are difficult to obtain.

I have also worked in sales - had my own IT business for 13 years and even worked as a small time watch dealer (selling used watches on ebay and for a dealer). That was 5 years ago and the economy is much worse now.

I am not fulfilled in IT - I want to try something different.....
The economy is now terrible.... much worse than I have ever seen or could ever imagine.

I am currently working as an IT contractor.

I love Rolex and watches but I am not sure how I can earn a living from them.

I do loving selling - but the economy is terrible......

What careers are available for somebody who loves watches????
Any suggestions appreciated.... I am sort of suffering a bit of "career depression" at present.

[chiko323]

I think you should do what makes you feel good. Im 17 and I've had a pretty successful buying and selling watches online business on weekends only. You can try doing it just in your spare time at first and build up relationships with dealers and buyers and maybe someday do it full time.

[TheChimp]

From the mouths of babes!!
No offense Chiko!!

If you love what you do, you'll never work a day in your life!
ken

[FNFZ4]

Im just curious, Which branch of IT are you in? Maybe I can help you out

[dysondiver]

its esy to say do what pleases you when you dont have any commitments , at the moment a lot of things are not looking so good , but as long as you have a job and are meeting the bills its not too bad , watches as ahobby is fine , but when a hobby turns into a living some of the rules change . from not wanting to do a deal , to having to make a sale , is a huge difference in pressure.
i think things will change , but , i have to say , not for a while yet , i see nothing going on to make things change .
its grit the teeth and soldier on.
not the reply you were hoping for im sure ... but honnest non the lest,,, at least in my view.

[JustABreathAway]

Physician - every 'client' you see is actually a person you are helping improve the quality of life through your work and ministrations. There's no feeling quite like it with your life's work.

[azguy]

Clean yourself up and put on a suit and try and get a job on Saturday and Sunday selling Breitling, Omega's or Tags or any quality watch. This way you can check it out to make sure "it is what what you think it is" before losing your income for the un-known.

Been there, done that, best advice I can give

This is the other thing I will tell you, economy aside. I work with people that have money everyday, every guy In know as a high-end watch on their wrist. Last night I was at dinner 3 Rolex's, 2 Breitling's at my table, people are buying watches somewhere from someone.

Of the three Rolex's my was the oldest a 14060M. Of the other 2 guys, one had a sub-c and one had a GMT-c, so you know they were bought fairly recently.

Good luck

[BarkMaster]

IT covers a broad spectrum and certain aspects have indeed been offshored. Many have not and will not. There are even shortages in some aspects. Perhaps consider expanding your skillset into a part of the field that is in demand onshore. Just my 2c as someone who has been in "IT" for over 30 years with several strategic shifts.

Good luck to you and I hope you find something you enjoy!

[CashGap]

1995, I decided to leave IT after fifteen years (network engineer, network engineering manager, IT Director for major consumer products company). It took me seven years to get out. So I can relate.

It was at that point that I realized "Ten years from now, IT will either be so simple no one will need me, or so complex I may be of little help".

Little did I know that BOTH things would happen.

In 1995, I did not think we would live in today's world. A world where Grandma can be in line at Publix, look over and say "Oh, an 802.11n wireless router for $39. That's a good deal." She takes it home and the instructions say "Step 1, plug me in. Step 2, there is no step 2."

So (in business), the "Grandmas" of the world do not need my help, and I have little to offer the guy that designed the router!

I went back to school, got an MBA, jumped at a treasury job in 2002, and am now in my sixth year as CFO of a $100M company. A totally different world, immeasurable better for me and my health in every way (in my opinion).

One suggestion. Follow the money.

[z32turbo]

Originally Posted by CashGap

One suggestion. Follow the money.

very good suggestion.

[masterserg]

Originally Posted by CashGap

1995, I decided to leave IT after fifteen years (network engineer, network engineering manager, IT Director for major consumer products company). It took me seven years to get out. So I can relate.

It was at that point that I realized "Ten years from now, IT will either be so simple no one will need me, or so complex I may be of little help".

Little did I know that BOTH things would happen.

In 1995, I did not think we would live in today's world. A world where Grandma can be in line at Publix, look over and say "Oh, an 802.11n wireless router for $39. That's a good deal." She takes it home and the instructions say "Step 1, plug me in. Step 2, there is no step 2."

So (in business), the "Grandmas" of the world do not need my help, and I have little to offer the guy that designed the router!

I went back to school, got an MBA, jumped at a treasury job in 2002, and am now in my sixth year as CFO of a $100M company. A totally different world, immeasurable better for me and my health in every way (in my opinion).

One suggestion. Follow the money.

Good post, as usual from you.

[BarkMaster]

Originally Posted by CashGap

One suggestion. Follow the money.

[Brunotheboxer]

Originally Posted by CashGap

1995, I decided to leave IT after fifteen years (network engineer, network engineering manager, IT Director for major consumer products company). It took me seven years to get out. So I can relate.

It was at that point that I realized "Ten years from now, IT will either be so simple no one will need me, or so complex I may be of little help".

Little did I know that BOTH things would happen.

In 1995, I did not think we would live in today's world. A world where Grandma can be in line at Publix, look over and say "Oh, an 802.11n wireless router for $39. That's a good deal." She takes it home and the instructions say "Step 1, plug me in. Step 2, there is no step 2."

So (in business), the "Grandmas" of the world do not need my help, and I have little to offer the guy that designed the router!

I went back to school, got an MBA, jumped at a treasury job in 2002, and am now in my sixth year as CFO of a $100M company. A totally different world, immeasurable better for me and my health in every way (in my opinion).

One suggestion. Follow the money.

I do like reading this guys posts. His head is definitely not up his ass plus I'm estimating from his position and wealth of company that he's pulling in at least 500K/year. Legit.

[mfer]

Same area. Same situation. Guessing you work for a large Fortune 500 where IT is just another expense on the books to shareholders.

Have no fear and reinvent yourself. I'm doing it, you can too. Seriously. What will they do to you.....fire you or reward you? Its a win win. Do what you want and let the chips fall. Don't be afraid of the unknown, but don't be stupid either. Trust your instincts and do what you and the company need.

Good luck!

[FNFZ4]

Originally Posted by CashGap

1995, I decided to leave IT after fifteen years (network engineer, network engineering manager, IT Director for major consumer products company). It took me seven years to get out. So I can relate.

It was at that point that I realized "Ten years from now, IT will either be so simple no one will need me, or so complex I may be of little help".

Little did I know that BOTH things would happen.

In 1995, I did not think we would live in today's world. A world where Grandma can be in line at Publix, look over and say "Oh, an 802.11n wireless router for $39. That's a good deal." She takes it home and the instructions say "Step 1, plug me in. Step 2, there is no step 2."

So (in business), the "Grandmas" of the world do not need my help, and I have little to offer the guy that designed the router!

I went back to school, got an MBA, jumped at a treasury job in 2002, and am now in my sixth year as CFO of a $100M company. A totally different world, immeasurable better for me and my health in every way (in my opinion).

One suggestion. Follow the money.

Its a case to case basis really. I see where you are coming from and I also feel the same. However, Im wanting more of a better quality of life with a higher pay.

Network Engineers have tons of opportunity. Sure grandma can buy a $39 router and follow the instructions. But if I give Grandma a Cisco ASR 1013 and some instructions on how to interconnect 12000 offices in the WAN infrastructure do you think she can follow my written instructions? Especially when I ask her to customize the router to Fiber Optic Specs?

In any field it is up to you how to continue your knowledge and education. Like me, Im still studying new technologies such as Citrix and VM technologies, Imaging etc.... Im glad you were able to get an MBA... I wish I could. But its a case to case basis. I think if I can keep up with technology there are lots of opportunity in IT. It just depends on what branch of IT. Network security, Windows Enterprise Administration, Database Administration will always have a future IMHO

[FNFZ4]

Originally Posted by mfer

Same area. Same situation. Guessing you work for a large Fortune 500 where IT is just another expense on the books to shareholders.

Have no fear and reinvent yourself. I'm doing it, you can too. Seriously. What will they do to you.....fire you or reward you? Its a win win. Do what you want and let the chips fall. Don't be afraid of the unknown, but don't be stupid either. Trust your instincts and do what you and the company need.

Good luck!

I dont get it.. I guess it depends on the company. I work for a fortune 500 and we are hiring sysadmins. There is an opening in Seattle and another in Phoenix

[Lisa]

Originally Posted by mfer

Same area. Same situation. Guessing you work for a large Fortune 500 where IT is just another expense on the books to shareholders.

Have no fear and reinvent yourself. I'm doing it, you can too. Seriously. What will they do to you.....fire you or reward you? Its a win win. Do what you want and let the chips fall. Don't be afraid of the unknown, but don't be stupid either. Trust your instincts and do what you and the company need.

Good luck!

And didn't you get a fat promotion not long ago because you followed your own advice?

[nolawis]

There are many companies out there that are large enough to require fulltime IT personnel yet not large enough to outsource their IT overseas.

[meloncap78]

I went off and started my own company as a service technician. It is small and it seems that everyone has that grandson these days that can remove a virus, build a PC, replace parts, etc. etc. I do the footwork, the bookwork, the web design, the advertising, and the labor. I am not making a killing by any means but I can go to work every morning with a smile and my bills are paid. It is all about what YOU want. I have been able to branch out and offer other services through my shop such as LCD/plasma TV repair, iPhone/cellphone repair, game console repair, etc. I guess I am just very motivated and I will do anything to make this endeavor a positive go. Good luck in whatever decision you make.

[DCgator]

Best of luck to those of you wanting a career or job change. Follow your instincts and the money too!

[mfer]

Originally Posted by FNFZ4

I dont get it.. I guess it depends on the company. I work for a fortune 500 and we are hiring sysadmins. There is an opening in Seattle and another in Phoenix

I'm saying that if your position is being outsourced, make one up or enhance your current job that can't be outsourced.  If you are a sysadmin, what other value can you add that a offshore job cannot?  Maybe something entirely non-admin.

1. Is it something you want to do and the company needs?
2. Don't be scared if you don't know how to do it yet, just learn it!

This will vary depending on IT job.  It is a broad category.  My company is outsourcing for two reasons....cost and not enough people.  Not enough people tells you jobs are still in demand.

Originally Posted by Lisa

And didn't you get a fat promotion not long ago because you followed your own advice?

Thanks Lisa!

[Lion]

As a possibility first figure out what you really want and want out of life and then tailor your needs to fit that goal. If the plan means going back to school while you continue working then do it. Life is to short to be unhappy and miserable plus it effects your actions on a daily basis as well as the people and loved ones around you. Taking a risk is not easy and hard to do but if you want happiness and contentment then make the changes!!!

[brossa4422]

My suggestion in that you look at Solar Winds or VMWare. I think the idea of selling watches will turn your hobby and love into a job which will quickly take the enjoyment out of it. Other suggestion is to do consulting into some of the older technologies. Non of the kids want to learn Fortran/Cobal/etc.... Get some people that you know that have been "rightsized" and sell there services into companies. If you have technical ability and can sell you are a rare breed and much in demand as the world is full of articulate people and smart people but smart articulate people are few and far between. Keep your head up and good luck