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mikejapan69
Newbie
Joined: 06 Oct 2009
Posts: 1
Career Advice: +0/-0
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 Posted: Tue Oct 06, 2009 4:43 am Post subject: I want out |
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I have been in the IT industry for 15-20 years. I am currently an IT Manager and learned that no matter what the title, the job is always the same (salary:means no OT pay, Work too long: means they treat me like a slave, pay: I always get below the lowest national average). I am sick of it.
I need help. I want to change careers. I would like to get into programming, but I am having a difficult time finding the following info:
1. what do I need to learn (languages, databases, etc) to start at $50K/yr min ?
2. Where can I learn what I need as fast as possible to get back in the job market (schools- I am in Los angeles) ?
Any help is appreciated.  |
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Pauloz
Expert
Joined: 02 Oct 2007
Posts: 1160
Career Advice: +3/-0
Location: Sydney
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| Posted: Tue Oct 06, 2009 8:52 am Post subject: Re: I want out |
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mikejapan69
Let's go through this in stages. I'm very sympathetic, but there are some things you'll have to consider in doing all this. Comments in italics, suggestions below.
| mikejapan69 wrote: | I have been in the IT industry for 15-20 years. I am currently an IT Manager and learned that no matter what the title, the job is always the same (salary:means no OT pay, Work too long: means they treat me like a slave, pay: I always get below the lowest national average). I am sick of it.
Who/what are you working for, a sweat shop? We don't often see IT managers in this position. You're working for cretins, whatever they are. You read like you've got both the qualifications and experience to do top dollar work, and I'd guess that's the crux of the issue.
I need help. I want to change careers. I would like to get into programming, but I am having a difficult time finding the following info:
1. what do I need to learn (languages, databases, etc) to start at $50K/yr min ?
Accepted wisdom is that you need several languages, major industry standard stuff like C++ etc, but this is an incredibly competitive employment market. That $50K will need some persuasive skills. See suggestions below.
2. Where can I learn what I need as fast as possible to get back in the job market (schools- I am in Los angeles) ?
The good news is you can do the work at your own pace at any college, or online. This part of the equation is very manageable, just watch costs and outlays, and make sure you're getting industry accredited qualifications.
Any help is appreciated. |
In LA, you should be able to network your way out of that nuthouse if you start looking. With that level of experience, you should be able to get consultancies that would pay you a year's wages for a month's actual work.
Good IT managers are probably the most mobile people in the whole industry. If you know your systems, try any other employer, from Google to Wendys, and you'll find a very different environment to the one you've described.
Important consideration: At this stage, don't cut your own throat as well. Don't put too many holes in the resume, in the middle of this recession. Jobs are in short supply. Play safe, and you should be able to call the shots about what you do and how you do it.
Programming:
Before you start, be aware that code writing is perhaps worse than IT as a competitive job market. Be prepared for a learning curve. This will take a little organizing, but it's quite doable. You need proven competencies, and you'll be dealing with experts in the field. The road up through programming jobs is also a mixed blessing. I've seen programmers' forums talking about the joys of working with decade-old code and trying to make it run, for example.
Learning the code is easy enough, but getting the experience and expertise takes time. You also need to research the programming job market, to see where the income and incentives are. Some programming jobs are also sweat shop fodder, others are worth millions in intellectual property alone.
Suggestions:
1. To do anything, you need coverage of your position, a stable base to work from, so you can take up programming. Keep your income under control and cost your moves.
2. Talk to professional programmers about the career options and ways of getting things done. You'll get a lot of current first hand knowledge which could save you years of grim experience. This is a big money game, but you need to know where to find it.
3. Strongly suggest you start looking at higher level IT positions, on principle. The situation you've described is unusual, to say the least. We get a lot of IT people on the site with problems like that, but not managers. You may well be able to get a much better job, and do the programming, and have the pleasure of getting out of that environment.
4. Whatever you do, look before you leap. One of the most common problems for people in a hideous job situation is getting too reactive. Make sure you're fully in control of the situation when you make your move. Nauseating as this experience sounds, don't allow it to be the driver. |
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fong47
Junior Member
Joined: 15 Sep 2008
Posts: 29
Career Advice: +0/-0
Location: NY
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| Posted: Sun Nov 01, 2009 8:06 pm Post subject: |
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Mike,
Unfortunately, job are the way it is. It pays the bill and even though your sick of it, you stick around because it pays. If you leave your job tommorow, do you have a back up plan? I would suggest looking for a new job before you leave.
fong4 |
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