I need a career change
Discussion
Right. I've been pondering this over the Christmas period and I've finally come to the conclusion that I need to change my career. I'm currently working in Information Systems doing bespoke systems support, report writing etc and I am getting completely fed up.
I'm much more of a people person than and technical person, and the person to person aspect of my job is where I have had the most success. The technical side frustrates me and gets me down (I worry about things a bit too much and I think it's slightly affecting my health).
I currently work in a small team of 6. Most of the team are ok but the two senior members (in terms of their role, not age) completely take the piss. They arrive at work late, take 2 hour lunch breaks, generally spend all day doing the minimal amount of work and are off work for the daftest things (one of them had 7 days off because his car broke and he said he couldn't travel the 15 - 20 miles to work, even though he had access to two other cars). I'm also expected to be on the end of a phone for emails 24/7, 364 days of the year, and i'm by far the least financially rewarded in the office (not that money is everything, but when responsibility is heaped on you you expect some reward).
So, coupled with the above office politics (which obviously involve more things), and an increasing hatred of machines and databases, i'm after something new. I would ideally like to work with people and am looking at routes that involve person to person work. I'm willing to re-train but it will have to be on the job.
I've been told that now is not the time to be looking for a job, but when is? Anybody have any ideas/experience about people oriented roles (e.g. social work or advising and councilling)? My fiancee has a very interesting job (well, I say interesting but I don't mean it in the sense of it's good for the people involved) as she works with families who have been abused.
I know times are tough, and some people are losing their jobs, and I should think myself lucky I have a job. But I really do need a change.
Thanks all.
I'm much more of a people person than and technical person, and the person to person aspect of my job is where I have had the most success. The technical side frustrates me and gets me down (I worry about things a bit too much and I think it's slightly affecting my health).
I currently work in a small team of 6. Most of the team are ok but the two senior members (in terms of their role, not age) completely take the piss. They arrive at work late, take 2 hour lunch breaks, generally spend all day doing the minimal amount of work and are off work for the daftest things (one of them had 7 days off because his car broke and he said he couldn't travel the 15 - 20 miles to work, even though he had access to two other cars). I'm also expected to be on the end of a phone for emails 24/7, 364 days of the year, and i'm by far the least financially rewarded in the office (not that money is everything, but when responsibility is heaped on you you expect some reward).
So, coupled with the above office politics (which obviously involve more things), and an increasing hatred of machines and databases, i'm after something new. I would ideally like to work with people and am looking at routes that involve person to person work. I'm willing to re-train but it will have to be on the job.
I've been told that now is not the time to be looking for a job, but when is? Anybody have any ideas/experience about people oriented roles (e.g. social work or advising and councilling)? My fiancee has a very interesting job (well, I say interesting but I don't mean it in the sense of it's good for the people involved) as she works with families who have been abused.
I know times are tough, and some people are losing their jobs, and I should think myself lucky I have a job. But I really do need a change.
Thanks all.
Edited by funkyrobot on Friday 31st December 09:08
I have worked in technical roles for 8 years and for that duration havent really progressed into what I would believe 8 years of experience should be. I have always been known to be a people person, so I am moving into management. Ok it is still in a technical environment but i'll be managing staff and relations with the business areas etc. Much more fun and more exposure to people in general. Have you thought about taking that route?
vz-r_dave said:
I have worked in technical roles for 8 years and for that duration havent really progressed into what I would believe 8 years of experience should be. I have always been known to be a people person, so I am moving into management. Ok it is still in a technical environment but i'll be managing staff and relations with the business areas etc. Much more fun and more exposure to people in general. Have you thought about taking that route?
I have. The funny thing is i've had numerous chats with my manager over the years about this. He has informed me that the people oriented route is the way I seem to be heading. He really likes the way i've changed the department with my personality (everyone used to sit in the office locked away downstairs, but I am out and about on site and speak to people direct instead of emailing them). However, we often talk about this in appraisals etc but nothing really materialises.funkyrobot said:
vz-r_dave said:
I have worked in technical roles for 8 years and for that duration havent really progressed into what I would believe 8 years of experience should be. I have always been known to be a people person, so I am moving into management. Ok it is still in a technical environment but i'll be managing staff and relations with the business areas etc. Much more fun and more exposure to people in general. Have you thought about taking that route?
I have. The funny thing is i've had numerous chats with my manager over the years about this. He has informed me that the people oriented route is the way I seem to be heading. He really likes the way i've changed the department with my personality (everyone used to sit in the office locked away downstairs, but I am out and about on site and speak to people direct instead of emailing them). However, we often talk about this in appraisals etc but nothing really materialises.On that note the only way up is to move on and that is exatly what I did myself. Time to look for team leader/manager roles mate ;-)
vz-r_dave said:
funkyrobot said:
vz-r_dave said:
I have worked in technical roles for 8 years and for that duration havent really progressed into what I would believe 8 years of experience should be. I have always been known to be a people person, so I am moving into management. Ok it is still in a technical environment but i'll be managing staff and relations with the business areas etc. Much more fun and more exposure to people in general. Have you thought about taking that route?
I have. The funny thing is i've had numerous chats with my manager over the years about this. He has informed me that the people oriented route is the way I seem to be heading. He really likes the way i've changed the department with my personality (everyone used to sit in the office locked away downstairs, but I am out and about on site and speak to people direct instead of emailing them). However, we often talk about this in appraisals etc but nothing really materialises.On that note the only way up is to move on and that is exatly what I did myself. Time to look for team leader/manager roles mate ;-)
I'm told this at appraisals, and also told about the path I should take. But, as you have said, I haven't seen any actual steps offered for me to take. The daft thing is, two people in my dept were both promoted shortly after I joined. These two are the ones that constantly take the piss, and have absolutely zero management skills. One is supposed to support me in my role, but since promoted now sees himself above me.
Oh well, looks like I need to find something else like you did. I am thinking of having a chat with my manager about things in the new year. But does anyone think this is a bad idea as it may spook him a bit?
No problem, I have learnt a great deal from understanding what those above want, what the business wants. Talking to your manager will spook him but thats life. If your good enough and you want to move on then its up to him to fulfill your requirements within your current company. If not then he knows you'll be looking elsewhere, if he cant provide you with a new role then you may get the training for it at the least which is better than nothing. Also try and look at management as a role if it where the same level as you and your team. Your job and input is no less important than that of the manager, it is simply the fact that they have to take the s
t when it all goes wrong. They are more responsible but no more important to the overall service you provide to the customer.
t when it all goes wrong. They are more responsible but no more important to the overall service you provide to the customer. Edited by vz-r_dave on Friday 31st December 10:56
One possibly logical step would be to move into either technical pre-sales or sales for a company selling the sort of stuff you're currently supporting.
It sounds like you'd be taking plenty of useful transferable skills, and if you're already good with the people side, it shouldn't be too much of a learning curve.
You'd still use the technical skills you've got, but get to spend far more time on the people stuff, figuring out exactly what is right for any particular customer you're dealing with. In my experience, whilst tech sales guys obviously need the tech skills, interpersonal skills make all the difference with regards to how good they will be overall.
It sounds like you'd be taking plenty of useful transferable skills, and if you're already good with the people side, it shouldn't be too much of a learning curve.
You'd still use the technical skills you've got, but get to spend far more time on the people stuff, figuring out exactly what is right for any particular customer you're dealing with. In my experience, whilst tech sales guys obviously need the tech skills, interpersonal skills make all the difference with regards to how good they will be overall.
Ultraviolet said:
Why not keep a link to what you've done, but focus more on the business engagement side. How about being a senior BA?
UV
Thanks UV, and thanks everyone else. I'm noting down all of the useful advice above. It's spooky that you mention the BA (Business Analyst?) word. My manager, at our last appraisal, stated that he thinks I would fit a role like this.UV
I think I'll have a chat with my manager in the new year, but i'll carefully plan what I need to say. I want to tell him that I'm after a more people oriented role but ideally I'd like it in my current company. I want to get across the frustrations I'm having at the moment without it sounding awful.
He is a very approachable manager, and says that he will always listen to what I say (we've had a few chats over the recent months about the behaviour of my colleagues when it has directly affected my work). If he gets spooked then so be it. Maybe, if he values me as much as he says he does, he'll try to work with me on this. Here's hoping eh
Oh yes, re the comment above from Dave about getting all the s
t as a manager. I pretty much run a department on my own (due the the nature of a colleague) at the moment. Apart from my colleague, the only other backup I have is in the form of the actual bespoke systems developer, who lives about 3 hours away. If anything has gone wrong I'm always the one who gets contacted. This feeling of isolation is something which also adds to the general disdain I have at the moment. funkyrobot said:
I've been told that now is not the time to be looking for a job, but when is?
Due to the recession, there are more people with relevant experience out there applying for jobs; presumably you have zero experience in the field you're considering and zero qualifications. This would put you at a major disadvantage. If you can do an evening counselling course (3 years?) then that would help. Even so, experience is a very important requirement for working with people so you'd have to shadow a qualified professional.funkyrobot said:
Anybody have any ideas/experience about people oriented roles (e.g. social work or advising and councilling)?
How happy are you generally? It can be emotionally draining to have to work with one client after another bringing their problems (emotional/psychological or physical) to you. Also, if you're in a more analytical/problem solving role, then it takes a lot of thinking power to work out the best way forward for each client.Edited by ShadownINja on Friday 31st December 11:49
Oh take up some study if you can, I am doing a Maters in IT Service Managment at Northampton University at the moment as well. 3 years but will be well worth it and the best part about is the fact that it teaches you what you need to know. Applying theory to the practical side of things.
Ninja I agree about the lack of experience being a disadvantage but would like to add that I have not been a manager previously and have ended up in managers job myself. It is possible you just have to apply yourself and most importantly have vision and belief in your own ability.
Good luck mate and here is to the new year :-)
Ninja I agree about the lack of experience being a disadvantage but would like to add that I have not been a manager previously and have ended up in managers job myself. It is possible you just have to apply yourself and most importantly have vision and belief in your own ability.
Good luck mate and here is to the new year :-)
ShadownINja said:
funkyrobot said:
I've been told that now is not the time to be looking for a job, but when is?
Due to the recession, there are more people with relevant experience out there applying for jobs; presumably you have zero experience in the field you're considering and zero qualifications. This would put you at a major disadvantage. If you can do an evening counselling course (3 years?) then that would help. Even so, experience is a very important requirement for working with people so you'd have to shadow a qualified professional.funkyrobot said:
Anybody have any ideas/experience about people oriented roles (e.g. social work or advising and councilling)?
How happy are you generally? It can be emotionally draining to have to work with one client after another bringing their problems (emotional/psychological or physical) to you. Also, if you're in a more analytical/problem solving role, then it takes a lot of thinking power to work out the best way forward for each client.Edited by ShadownINja on Friday 31st December 11:49
Generally I'm a very happy person, it's only this job role that is bringing me down at the moment. Most of the people in the company know me as a lively, energetic and slightly mad individual. They all think I'm bustling with confidence too (which, sometimes I don't). However, some close colleagues know I'm struggling at the moment.
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