jacking in an IT career...
Discussion
i've been in IT 20 years next year. I've done well, starting out coding, through consultancy, architecture and now I am a technical director for a fintech. I earn good money, but I think I am growing to hate it. I thought 'it' was my previous job, which was a director-level role in a big consultancy, so i made a massive change (for my branch of IT at least) and went for a different type of company, more young and dynamic, fewer hours, more money (quite a lot more) etc. I thought that would fix everything, and 6 months in I am worried that I am starting to hate this job too... and if i am starting to hate it, then maybe it is the whole industry. I don't really feel that passionate about it. I am not a lifestyle nerd or a gamer. I don't build apps in my spare time. I am starting to feel really f
king old, and I am only 43. I feel myself getting irritated and frustrated with people not being able to do their jobs properly. I feel sick of clients giving me grief. I feel like my "oh just fk OFF" moment is looming.
I've come across a few people over the years who've jacked in a successful career in IT to go do something else. I've always wondered what it is about IT that makes people do that... maybe now I know.
Anyone else have a similar experience? Where did you go to, what did you do?
king old, and I am only 43. I feel myself getting irritated and frustrated with people not being able to do their jobs properly. I feel sick of clients giving me grief. I feel like my "oh just fk OFF" moment is looming. I've come across a few people over the years who've jacked in a successful career in IT to go do something else. I've always wondered what it is about IT that makes people do that... maybe now I know.
Anyone else have a similar experience? Where did you go to, what did you do?
30 years in IT. From mainframe op through to consultant business analyst. Now MD of an events company specialising in rail based family events.
Best career move ever, even with COVID.
Having seen 6 x 5 years of repeating ideas and concepts I needed an out as my tolerance was wearing thin. 2019 I quit IT.
We now have 20 employees, 9000sq ft of storage and 9 railway carriages, of which 7 are still mainline registered. At peak this year we will have about 400 employees/ freelancers.
Best career move ever, even with COVID.
Having seen 6 x 5 years of repeating ideas and concepts I needed an out as my tolerance was wearing thin. 2019 I quit IT.
We now have 20 employees, 9000sq ft of storage and 9 railway carriages, of which 7 are still mainline registered. At peak this year we will have about 400 employees/ freelancers.
I am in a similar position. I’m 47 and 30 odd years in IT and becoming more and more fed up
I am sure some of it is the company culture but I know a lot of it is that people’s expectations of IT have changed and they expect perfect technology doing exactly what they want at all times. When the reality of what they have to work with falls short they blame you or look at you for a solution that there is no budget for
The increase in technology in people’s lives outside work hasn’t helped either. They fail to see the difference in scalability, legality and effort involved in translating something that works ok at home into a similar commercial scenario
In part it is our own fault for meeting high expectations over the years and cannot now always do the same either because things have been virtualised or moved completely to the cloud and - despite what sales people say and our best efforts - functionality is not always equivalent. Where hardware used to be limiting factor, it’s now the internet and 3rd party providers that get in the way. Also, increasingly people think they know the best way to do something and your effort is arguing or persuading them that’s not the case whereas in the past people would come with a business issue or challenge and you would find and recommended an IT solution for what they need
I find that people are more impatient and more unreasonable than they were previously and that senior people in business see IT as the procurers of 3rd party services rather than the solution providers they were seen as in the past
The issue now is that my experience means a healthy enough salary that starting anything more interesting or completely new is going to have a financial hit and as I like my cars and my wife likes her holidays it’s not an easy move
I am sure some of it is the company culture but I know a lot of it is that people’s expectations of IT have changed and they expect perfect technology doing exactly what they want at all times. When the reality of what they have to work with falls short they blame you or look at you for a solution that there is no budget for
The increase in technology in people’s lives outside work hasn’t helped either. They fail to see the difference in scalability, legality and effort involved in translating something that works ok at home into a similar commercial scenario
In part it is our own fault for meeting high expectations over the years and cannot now always do the same either because things have been virtualised or moved completely to the cloud and - despite what sales people say and our best efforts - functionality is not always equivalent. Where hardware used to be limiting factor, it’s now the internet and 3rd party providers that get in the way. Also, increasingly people think they know the best way to do something and your effort is arguing or persuading them that’s not the case whereas in the past people would come with a business issue or challenge and you would find and recommended an IT solution for what they need
I find that people are more impatient and more unreasonable than they were previously and that senior people in business see IT as the procurers of 3rd party services rather than the solution providers they were seen as in the past
The issue now is that my experience means a healthy enough salary that starting anything more interesting or completely new is going to have a financial hit and as I like my cars and my wife likes her holidays it’s not an easy move
Will be watching this with much interest as I'm in in a very similar position (and age), although think it could be the company. I've been there for 20 years after 4 years university. I think this major milestone (and birthday) has made me think that there has to be something else out there. I started on helpdesk, progressed to infrastructure, project engineer, IT project manager, IT manager and now Head of Service Delivery.
Until very recently I really enjoyed my current job, but the company have gone down the route of globalising and outsourcing of IT and other support functions resulting in my role has been diluted, combined with major budget constraints and also recognising I've hit the ceiling there in terms of career progression. It's really the people, both in IT and business, that are keeping me there. I should also acknowledge that oil and gas is possibly not the place to be right now, even my kids give me a hard time about it.
Like you, I'm not really into IT, don't have a technical passion for it, don't spend any personal time (or money) on gadgets, reading up on IT related subjects etc etc. What I do enjoy is the interaction with the business, finding solutions and dealing with a crisis.
I need to spend some time to map out my core skills to identify which are are transferable to other roles and sectors. I've lost all my technical skills, so no opportunity to freelance or offer consultancy really. I'd love to do something which I'm passionate about, cars, biking, gardening, but I don't have the capital to start-up something. Also, as a single parent I can't really afford any drop in income. In the meantime, I'm looking out for other opportunities elsewhere and hope the grass is greener....
Until very recently I really enjoyed my current job, but the company have gone down the route of globalising and outsourcing of IT and other support functions resulting in my role has been diluted, combined with major budget constraints and also recognising I've hit the ceiling there in terms of career progression. It's really the people, both in IT and business, that are keeping me there. I should also acknowledge that oil and gas is possibly not the place to be right now, even my kids give me a hard time about it.
Like you, I'm not really into IT, don't have a technical passion for it, don't spend any personal time (or money) on gadgets, reading up on IT related subjects etc etc. What I do enjoy is the interaction with the business, finding solutions and dealing with a crisis.
I need to spend some time to map out my core skills to identify which are are transferable to other roles and sectors. I've lost all my technical skills, so no opportunity to freelance or offer consultancy really. I'd love to do something which I'm passionate about, cars, biking, gardening, but I don't have the capital to start-up something. Also, as a single parent I can't really afford any drop in income. In the meantime, I'm looking out for other opportunities elsewhere and hope the grass is greener....
Edited by scz4 on Wednesday 16th June 21:45
Jaguar99 said:
I am in a similar position. I’m 47 and 30 odd years in IT and becoming more and more fed up
The issue now is that my experience means a healthy enough salary that starting anything more interesting or completely new is going to have a financial hit and as I like my cars and my wife likes her holidays it’s not an easy move
This was the biggest problem to overcome, but as a contractor earning £500 a day, in contracts not based locally, ir35 forced my hand, at a time the opportunity dumped itself on my lap.The issue now is that my experience means a healthy enough salary that starting anything more interesting or completely new is going to have a financial hit and as I like my cars and my wife likes her holidays it’s not an easy move
I am spending much less time in hotels and money wise is about the same with huge potential.
It is not stress free, but have already had some “money couldn’t buy” style experiences, and retirement is actually looking possible now.
Similar position here. My take on it is the change from being managed kind of as an investment to being considered to be nothing more than a cost to be kept to a minimum.
Compliance also a major issue, as an ever increasing % of spend has to go on boring, tedious and invariably excessive regulatory work.
I”m doing it purely for the financial upside, as are all of my buddies at work.
I”m not at all surprised we have a digital skills shortage. I wouldn’t want my kids to follow the same path.
Will grind it out though....not long till I can hang up my keyboard.
Compliance also a major issue, as an ever increasing % of spend has to go on boring, tedious and invariably excessive regulatory work.
I”m doing it purely for the financial upside, as are all of my buddies at work.
I”m not at all surprised we have a digital skills shortage. I wouldn’t want my kids to follow the same path.
Will grind it out though....not long till I can hang up my keyboard.
I've been a Software Engineer for ~14 years and was thinking about starting a similar thread.
Options I've been thinking about:
Options I've been thinking about:
- Career change. Probably means a huge pay cut for at least a couple of years. Possibly move house to reduce monthly outgoings
- Try and summon the energy and motivation to look for another software job and make it through the interview process
- Asking to reduce hours (probably more difficult for someone your level)
- Try to get a payment holiday on the mortgage, resign, then take some time out
And another one.
Late 40s, started out in infrastructure through dev and now a relatively senior delivery lead for a large consultancy. My days of reading Computer Weekly are long in the past. Far too many gripes to write here. The constant rebranding and re-invention of existing ideas as if they are something new is one, as is being outnumbered by overconfident bright young things all reading start-up books and claiming to have all the answers when experience tells me otherwise.
As I've climbed the ladder I've got further away from actual delivery and am left watching frustrated, when what I really want to do is roll my sleeves up and do a better job myself.
I think I was happier back when I used to actually play with computers for a living. I earn a good wage but could have been on the same money as a hands-on contractor with none of the responsibility. Grass is always greener though.
Late 40s, started out in infrastructure through dev and now a relatively senior delivery lead for a large consultancy. My days of reading Computer Weekly are long in the past. Far too many gripes to write here. The constant rebranding and re-invention of existing ideas as if they are something new is one, as is being outnumbered by overconfident bright young things all reading start-up books and claiming to have all the answers when experience tells me otherwise.
As I've climbed the ladder I've got further away from actual delivery and am left watching frustrated, when what I really want to do is roll my sleeves up and do a better job myself.
I think I was happier back when I used to actually play with computers for a living. I earn a good wage but could have been on the same money as a hands-on contractor with none of the responsibility. Grass is always greener though.
It seems that everyone who's worked in IT for a decade or more would like to get out 
Over 20 years in IT here, but currently having a career break. Not entirely sure if I'll go back to it if I'm honest. I still enjoy coding, but also despise the micro-management, bureaucracy and out of hours firefighting that most software jobs seem to entail.
Over 20 years in IT here, but currently having a career break. Not entirely sure if I'll go back to it if I'm honest. I still enjoy coding, but also despise the micro-management, bureaucracy and out of hours firefighting that most software jobs seem to entail.
My plan was to first pay-off my mortgage and now to save as much as possible to build a cash pile. Then if I have a "fk off" moment, I will not suddenly be losing everything else as a consequence, just my job. Having broadly built the pile I know if I want to go ... I can - it's very liberating. Plus it will mean I can retire earlier if I so wish.
I think may of us on this thread have been motivated to further out careers, but the passion is now waining. I suggest finding something else. In recent years I started playing squash again (after a 25 year gap) ... climbing the club leagues has been my real focus these days, not my career.
The people who I think have best gone the distance with IT careers over the years are the ones who have something else going on that really focuses them. Besdides their family, some of my peers have focused on running, Lego, driving steam trains, travel, DJing, vintage motorbikes, being in a band, matchstick models, learning languages (not programming), learning the drums, doing an unrelated degree, charity work ... basically anything but I-bloody-T. With a significant distraction/focus the day-job rarely seems quite so bad, and it tends to cause one to step away earlier each day than they would have other wise.
k off" moment, I will not suddenly be losing everything else as a consequence, just my job. Having broadly built the pile I know if I want to go ... I can - it's very liberating. Plus it will mean I can retire earlier if I so wish.I think may of us on this thread have been motivated to further out careers, but the passion is now waining. I suggest finding something else. In recent years I started playing squash again (after a 25 year gap) ... climbing the club leagues has been my real focus these days, not my career.
The people who I think have best gone the distance with IT careers over the years are the ones who have something else going on that really focuses them. Besdides their family, some of my peers have focused on running, Lego, driving steam trains, travel, DJing, vintage motorbikes, being in a band, matchstick models, learning languages (not programming), learning the drums, doing an unrelated degree, charity work ... basically anything but I-bloody-T. With a significant distraction/focus the day-job rarely seems quite so bad, and it tends to cause one to step away earlier each day than they would have other wise.
Edited by churchie2856 on Thursday 17th June 00:35
Blown2CV said:
I feel myself getting irritated and frustrated with people not being able to do their jobs properly.
Every single organisation I interact with outside of IT has the same issue. I swear there's not a single person in the country who can actually do the job they are employed to do without being continuously poked and prodded and coached by the "customer".So...I don't think jumping from IT will solve that particular issue.
I'm also an old timer in the IT industry approaching 50. I spent many years in large multinationals where the main motivation for most seems to be to climb the career ladder and build an empire. I tried the same and never really liked it so I've remained technical ever since. I was unhappy with where I was and the way the industry was looking for many years I contemplated doing something totally different, anything from opening a franchise store to a taxi driver. I finally got into app development and have moved to working for smaller companies and start-ups which seems to be more interesting.
I'm happy with what I'm currently doing and feel secure that I can probably land another role pretty quickly if I didn't like where I was but constant job hopping is not what I really fancy at this stage in my life.
I'm quite happy to state in interviews that I code professionally and it's not something I do for fun or in my spare time unless there is an underlying ulterior motive. I've got better things to do than pretend to be geeky and passionate about new tech (most of which isn't as clever as they like to make out)
I'm happy with what I'm currently doing and feel secure that I can probably land another role pretty quickly if I didn't like where I was but constant job hopping is not what I really fancy at this stage in my life.
I'm quite happy to state in interviews that I code professionally and it's not something I do for fun or in my spare time unless there is an underlying ulterior motive. I've got better things to do than pretend to be geeky and passionate about new tech (most of which isn't as clever as they like to make out)
Edited by Aunty Pasty on Thursday 17th June 09:40
Blown2CV said:
i've been in IT 20 years next year. I've done well, starting out coding, through consultancy, architecture and now I am a technical director for a fintech. I earn good money, but I think I am growing to hate it. I thought 'it' was my previous job, which was a director-level role in a big consultancy, so i made a massive change (for my branch of IT at least) and went for a different type of company, more young and dynamic, fewer hours, more money (quite a lot more) etc. I thought that would fix everything, and 6 months in I am worried that I am starting to hate this job too... and if i am starting to hate it, then maybe it is the whole industry. I don't really feel that passionate about it. I am not a lifestyle nerd or a gamer. I don't build apps in my spare time. I am starting to feel really fking old, and I am only 43. I feel myself getting irritated and frustrated with people not being able to do their jobs properly. I feel sick of clients giving me grief. I feel like my "oh just fk OFF" moment is looming.
I've come across a few people over the years who've jacked in a successful career in IT to go do something else. I've always wondered what it is about IT that makes people do that... maybe now I know.
Anyone else have a similar experience? Where did you go to, what did you do?
Could describe me, without the technical experience (I am just a lowly SDM)king old, and I am only 43. I feel myself getting irritated and frustrated with people not being able to do their jobs properly. I feel sick of clients giving me grief. I feel like my "oh just fk OFF" moment is looming. I've come across a few people over the years who've jacked in a successful career in IT to go do something else. I've always wondered what it is about IT that makes people do that... maybe now I know.
Anyone else have a similar experience? Where did you go to, what did you do?
KAgantua said:
Blown2CV said:
i've been in IT 20 years next year. I've done well, starting out coding, through consultancy, architecture and now I am a technical director for a fintech. I earn good money, but I think I am growing to hate it. I thought 'it' was my previous job, which was a director-level role in a big consultancy, so i made a massive change (for my branch of IT at least) and went for a different type of company, more young and dynamic, fewer hours, more money (quite a lot more) etc. I thought that would fix everything, and 6 months in I am worried that I am starting to hate this job too... and if i am starting to hate it, then maybe it is the whole industry. I don't really feel that passionate about it. I am not a lifestyle nerd or a gamer. I don't build apps in my spare time. I am starting to feel really fking old, and I am only 43. I feel myself getting irritated and frustrated with people not being able to do their jobs properly. I feel sick of clients giving me grief. I feel like my "oh just fk OFF" moment is looming.
I've come across a few people over the years who've jacked in a successful career in IT to go do something else. I've always wondered what it is about IT that makes people do that... maybe now I know.
Anyone else have a similar experience? Where did you go to, what did you do?
Could describe me, without the technical experience (I am just a lowly SDM)king old, and I am only 43. I feel myself getting irritated and frustrated with people not being able to do their jobs properly. I feel sick of clients giving me grief. I feel like my "oh just fk OFF" moment is looming. I've come across a few people over the years who've jacked in a successful career in IT to go do something else. I've always wondered what it is about IT that makes people do that... maybe now I know.
Anyone else have a similar experience? Where did you go to, what did you do?
https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...
Retirement in 9 years I hope. I'm just going to have to hang on in there and hope an "oh just f
k off" moment doesn't escape my jaded lips whilst I'm not on mute...I got into IT early 80s and it was like ridding a wave, lots of cash, can do attitude to long hours and lots of new products and tec to learn. I worked for the biggest IT companies during those times. But slowly the corperate management culture takes over, it stiffles ambitition through micro management. Then the outsourcing started to go overseas and having to speak to people who you couldn't understand properly especially when in a hugh datacentres and who knew a lot less than you did. Plus it took twice as long to fix things now. But it was cheap, management problem solved. Took redundancy at 62 retired and never looked back.
People in tech are five times more depressed [by their work] than the national average. ( BIMA, UK, 2019)
That's why. IT professionals are in the same category as NHS workers, who are also facing stressful, depressing stuff every day.
You can still do the job well of course (or better than most), and cope with the stress fine (just about), but if you have options, IT isn't the best option for your well-being.
That's why. IT professionals are in the same category as NHS workers, who are also facing stressful, depressing stuff every day.
You can still do the job well of course (or better than most), and cope with the stress fine (just about), but if you have options, IT isn't the best option for your well-being.
I'm an accountant and I think the same feeling applies to most people in office based roles once they get to the same stage in life.
Mid 40's and after 20 odd years of doing the same thing with no lasting legacy to show for it. I'd like to go it alone and build a business for myself.
Mid 40's and after 20 odd years of doing the same thing with no lasting legacy to show for it. I'd like to go it alone and build a business for myself.
Im exactly the same. Early 40s and slowly developing a hatred for IT.
One thing I really dislike is that there are a lot of people with a god complex in London IT. They expect top dollar and dictate working practices because they’ve had it so good for so long. In addition to the psychos who work at end clients I’m just tired of the human side rather than the tech.
At the same time, I hate the remote working stuff. Being on your own all day behind a screen is not the path to a satisfying work life as far as I can see.
I’m taking early retirement but might look to do the occasional short contract or do a part time driving job to keep the wolf from the door and get out of the house.
One thing I really dislike is that there are a lot of people with a god complex in London IT. They expect top dollar and dictate working practices because they’ve had it so good for so long. In addition to the psychos who work at end clients I’m just tired of the human side rather than the tech.
At the same time, I hate the remote working stuff. Being on your own all day behind a screen is not the path to a satisfying work life as far as I can see.
I’m taking early retirement but might look to do the occasional short contract or do a part time driving job to keep the wolf from the door and get out of the house.
Sitting watching the rain through the home office window I've been trapped in for the last year and a bit. I think I've done well career wise in IT and am now VP level at a multinational. Money is better than I'd imagined but sick to the back teeth of it. The politics, customer attitudes and constant battles are very far away from the pissing around with technology that got me into this game.
No idea what the future holds but I hear OP loud and clear. Meh.
No idea what the future holds but I hear OP loud and clear. Meh.
For me the answer was going back on the tools so to speak. Pick up a coding task from the backlog, bash some keys and then commit.
No real stress, less politics and 100% more interesting than constant meetings.
Role is fully remote for life, thinking already already of downsizing and getting a place by the sea. Bit of coding by the day, few beers overlooking the beach at night.
Perfect!
No real stress, less politics and 100% more interesting than constant meetings.
Role is fully remote for life, thinking already already of downsizing and getting a place by the sea. Bit of coding by the day, few beers overlooking the beach at night.
Perfect!
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