Recognition, from customers as well as management, is certainly an issue. After all, the whole point of our jobs is to make sure nothing happens and no one notices anything going on behind the scenes.It's the 'ol Y2K argument: "Why did we spend all this $$ when nothing happened?" "Nothing happened because we paid our IT staff to work hard at making sure nothing happened!"
Another issue that's rampant in IT is the promotion of people to management who have no business being managers. HR needs to remember that IT managers need a combination of 'soft' skills and tech savvy to excel.
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Only thing that burns me is that my friends in Sales (or anything outside IT) seem to just coast after they graduated and got their foot in a good corporate environment; I on the other hand have to study 3 or 4 nights a week to remain relevant in IT and able to perform at a high capacity. I sometimes envy that they are getting paid the same or better and don't have to race to understand emerging technologies, only need to have good people skills and be able to network... I love learning but wish I had as much leisure time as others.
If you feel that way now, you will feel definitely worse in the future as you get older. Guess what, you are likely to find it really difficult to keep up with the never ending upgrade and certification circle. This is more true if you remain on the "techie" stream as opposed to management. I really don't know of many other professions that requires this kind of continous circle of studying in other to stay current. My advice is to start to plan ahead by acquiring softer skills with a view to obtaining different responsibilities or job role before you reach of the burn-out phase.
Actually, any tech job requires constant learning. Consider a primary care physician!
So true... Great words of wisdom. There is a definite age discrimination going on in the IT world today. It was my career for at least 28 years, and I excelled at it. It's sad to think of all the time I, and the other's in this field, if they are any good, put into their job. No matter what the hours, or to places at the end of the earth. One day you find yourself swept out the door with the trash. I know I am professional, and still look good and professional. They just look at the bottom line. I wasn't making all that much anyway for what I did, but it's more than nothing, which what my income is now, for the first time in my life. It's a hard time in your life to start making career changes. I can't even get a call on a resume sent in for a reception job. Not saying that is a nothing job, I've done it. Once they figure out your age... nothing. "I'm telling ya, we just can't get respect."
I was in the IT business for 28 years, yep, before PCs. I started selling and training on an Olivetti 8K internal memory. If someone unplugged it from the wall, it would lose the stored memory.
In all those constant changes over the years, I felt like I was going to school full time. I love to read, but I always felt quilty if it was not a manual.
After all that, self-sacrificing of personal time, and being excellent at my career, and great people skills. I still have not worked for the past 20 months. I'm actually living on zero income for the first time in my life. It was a career I truly loved, but when a company or firm can get someone with no experience and pay them half, or less, than you with no benefits... They will. I hope people in position start paying attention to this economy. And realize that people that have been there, done that, know how to quickly size up a situation and prioitize are worth more. We can do the job faster and with less hassle and downtime for the company. I was respected by the other staff people in all departments that I worked with, and the attorneys. But the head money counters don't seem to care these days.
In all those constant changes over the years, I felt like I was going to school full time. I love to read, but I always felt quilty if it was not a manual.
After all that, self-sacrificing of personal time, and being excellent at my career, and great people skills. I still have not worked for the past 20 months. I'm actually living on zero income for the first time in my life. It was a career I truly loved, but when a company or firm can get someone with no experience and pay them half, or less, than you with no benefits... They will. I hope people in position start paying attention to this economy. And realize that people that have been there, done that, know how to quickly size up a situation and prioitize are worth more. We can do the job faster and with less hassle and downtime for the company. I was respected by the other staff people in all departments that I worked with, and the attorneys. But the head money counters don't seem to care these days.
Last year we had two people commit suicide. One guy worked in our Technology department and the other worked in finance. The Technology guy told his wife he was taking training classes and went out, and then hung himself in a tree. The Finance guy shot his family and then himself. You just never know what a person you work with is thinking or going through in their life. Both guys were always up beat and acted like everthing was okay. I will never understand why people commit suicide and then no one really wants to talk about it either. I think it's terrible!
I know I am burnout!
Great article, Thanks!
I know I am burnout!
Great article, Thanks!
Interesting article as we can all share how easy it is to become burned out especially in the field of IT. In my situation, I was moved into an "higher" IT team for my employer expecting I would get a more challenging and exciting position. (this was all part of my employer amalgamating smaller IT groups). I thought this would be a grand move but unfortunately, it has back fired.
My previous position basically entailed everything from the Tier 1 to Tier 3 level of support and I had the chance to meet the users directly when it came to solving their problems. Basically, I was able to troubleshoot things from beginning to end. Now, I sit in a cubicle and get assigned more menial tasks?? It looks like I stepped backward in my career. Not too sure if this was intentionally done as well (I have heard from credible sources that my employer may be doing this to phase people out that they can no longer afford to pay their salaries even though it is in line with current trends)
The more I thought about what happened, I experienced a bit of deja vu and realized again that I was getting being "structured" by the corporate environment. I guess what I am trying to say is that there are more policies, procedures, and doors to go through for things to get done efficiently. Yes, yes I know there is are reasons for this but for one who has gained a lot of experience and satisfication from his previous duties as well as working in an IT team that gelled (I would give my right arm for them), my job satisfaction with my current position has just tanked. In addition, my boss was honest and he told me bluntly that job satisfaction within my current team is at an all time low.
I except change in any position as a challenge and my discussion may not be burn out per se but with the frustration, politics, "backstabbers", and BS that I am coming to learn more on my new team, I am quietly looking for new position with another organization.
My previous position basically entailed everything from the Tier 1 to Tier 3 level of support and I had the chance to meet the users directly when it came to solving their problems. Basically, I was able to troubleshoot things from beginning to end. Now, I sit in a cubicle and get assigned more menial tasks?? It looks like I stepped backward in my career. Not too sure if this was intentionally done as well (I have heard from credible sources that my employer may be doing this to phase people out that they can no longer afford to pay their salaries even though it is in line with current trends)
The more I thought about what happened, I experienced a bit of deja vu and realized again that I was getting being "structured" by the corporate environment. I guess what I am trying to say is that there are more policies, procedures, and doors to go through for things to get done efficiently. Yes, yes I know there is are reasons for this but for one who has gained a lot of experience and satisfication from his previous duties as well as working in an IT team that gelled (I would give my right arm for them), my job satisfaction with my current position has just tanked. In addition, my boss was honest and he told me bluntly that job satisfaction within my current team is at an all time low.
I except change in any position as a challenge and my discussion may not be burn out per se but with the frustration, politics, "backstabbers", and BS that I am coming to learn more on my new team, I am quietly looking for new position with another organization.
Unfortunately it is a no-win situation for IT staffers. The HR department doesn't speak IT (as another commenter said TCPIP, Word it is all the same to them). Couple that to Finance/Comptroller being another decision maker on promotion - you get IT staffers being managed by someone who was promoted to Manager without communication skills, any form of emotional intelligence, etc. However since the folks that promoted that person see what they want to see and do not understand IT and are not required to do so. Plus heaven forbid for HR, etc to admit they overlooked the leadership requirement - even if the IT staffers dare to take their issues over the IT Manager's head - it is no win - it is rare that someone higher understands ... as long as the incompetent manager confuses them with techno talk - and the IT staffers risk censure by challenging the skills of their manager and brining it to the attention of ... here we go again no-win loop.
What I get from my Manager even when using different approaches to address issues of stress, undervalued, kicked by users, etc is that it is my perception, my emotions that are wrong, always turned back onto me. The manager is perceived as running a happy department ( because staff are too afraid to complain or already know they will get shot down). When in reality the 'IT staff team' is toxic and bullying is rampant.
Sorry for the length of this 'piece'. One thinks one can be a positive force for change by being an upbeat, resilient, communicative IT staffer - just to get looked at suspiciously, as a troublemaker. Heck if management has run things this way for so long making any changes to the status quo is seen here as an admission of incompetence instead of a chance to progress, grow, evolve build a better company. Leaving isn't always an option.
What I get from my Manager even when using different approaches to address issues of stress, undervalued, kicked by users, etc is that it is my perception, my emotions that are wrong, always turned back onto me. The manager is perceived as running a happy department ( because staff are too afraid to complain or already know they will get shot down). When in reality the 'IT staff team' is toxic and bullying is rampant.
Sorry for the length of this 'piece'. One thinks one can be a positive force for change by being an upbeat, resilient, communicative IT staffer - just to get looked at suspiciously, as a troublemaker. Heck if management has run things this way for so long making any changes to the status quo is seen here as an admission of incompetence instead of a chance to progress, grow, evolve build a better company. Leaving isn't always an option.
I worked for 19 years in Corporate America.
I've been working since 2002 as an independent consultant to mostly smaller organizations (for-profit and non-profit).
Both have pros and cons. Right now I like being a consultant, although you get disrespected even in smaller organizations.
As a consultant, you can diversify your mindset and client base. Harder to do in a Corp.
For some clients, I will still be their Superman. I feel justified professionally, ethically and mentally to do so. For others, I am their Clark Kent, a good employee who will do what needs to be done but not much more because either they don't want it, won't support you, aren't ready for it or undervalue it. Remembering hat keeps me from burning out.
Over the years, the view of IT has changed and will continue to do. Management wants very badly to view IT as cheap labor although the skills require a much higher intellect and continued learning. Much of the working world is a better place because of technology but most folks could care less about building a statue to the creator of the remote control (ironic isn't it.)
What other fields are like that? Not many.
Most high-paid, highly respected professions are so because of one thing. The skill required is specialized and the bill rate is high. Think attorney, doctor, auto mechanic or HVAC technician. People may yell, but they will pay for these services.
To manage burnout, I try very hard to find organizations that NEED and WANT my services.
I try very hard to be an advisor to my clients and teach them. Some accept it some don't but at least I feel like I'm being heard. This is often more difficult to do in larger organizations, at least long term.
I have learned that when an organization grows to a certain size, you will get a level of politics and employee interaction that becomes unhealthy. When that happens, I either leave or divest myself of the need to be "superman" for them.
I try to keep in mind a couple of things.
1. I am in control of my career.
2. If I am any good, people will need/want my services. I just have to make myself available to them.
3. Industry was built on utilizing the cheapest labor possible. If you are a part of industry, you can get gobbled up unless you are at the top of the food chain and even then, things happen.
4. 20% of the people will value what you do. Only 5% of those will appreciate you. The other 15% may actually despise you. The other 80% just want to get the work day over with and have as few headaches as possible.
Balance you life and work. Your mental health depends on it.
I've been working since 2002 as an independent consultant to mostly smaller organizations (for-profit and non-profit).
Both have pros and cons. Right now I like being a consultant, although you get disrespected even in smaller organizations.
As a consultant, you can diversify your mindset and client base. Harder to do in a Corp.
For some clients, I will still be their Superman. I feel justified professionally, ethically and mentally to do so. For others, I am their Clark Kent, a good employee who will do what needs to be done but not much more because either they don't want it, won't support you, aren't ready for it or undervalue it. Remembering hat keeps me from burning out.
Over the years, the view of IT has changed and will continue to do. Management wants very badly to view IT as cheap labor although the skills require a much higher intellect and continued learning. Much of the working world is a better place because of technology but most folks could care less about building a statue to the creator of the remote control (ironic isn't it.)
What other fields are like that? Not many.
Most high-paid, highly respected professions are so because of one thing. The skill required is specialized and the bill rate is high. Think attorney, doctor, auto mechanic or HVAC technician. People may yell, but they will pay for these services.
To manage burnout, I try very hard to find organizations that NEED and WANT my services.
I try very hard to be an advisor to my clients and teach them. Some accept it some don't but at least I feel like I'm being heard. This is often more difficult to do in larger organizations, at least long term.
I have learned that when an organization grows to a certain size, you will get a level of politics and employee interaction that becomes unhealthy. When that happens, I either leave or divest myself of the need to be "superman" for them.
I try to keep in mind a couple of things.
1. I am in control of my career.
2. If I am any good, people will need/want my services. I just have to make myself available to them.
3. Industry was built on utilizing the cheapest labor possible. If you are a part of industry, you can get gobbled up unless you are at the top of the food chain and even then, things happen.
4. 20% of the people will value what you do. Only 5% of those will appreciate you. The other 15% may actually despise you. The other 80% just want to get the work day over with and have as few headaches as possible.
Balance you life and work. Your mental health depends on it.
..judging from your title , I seriously don't think you are qualified to comment in the same context as say, career-software developers, or programmers, or other types of support staff , who have spent most of their entire lives having to fight off "your kind" ..go back to the board room and read your Wall Street Journal ..
Recognition is an issue in a "behind-the-scenes" field. Whether we prefer to be behind the scenes or face-to-face with clients- we all still like to know that we are doing a job well-done and that our clients and employer is happy with our work... especially if we do something above and beyond. We just happen to usually get the short end of the stick. I think that's why so many of us tend to share our accomplishments or successes with others of our kind who appreciate where we are coming from.
I worked 12 years writing corporate software and am back to repairing computers etc. I WILL NEVER return to a cubicle again!
I do NOT want to work for Mega-CORP again,
however I would to eat and pay bills.
A smaller company you have a lot of
responsibilities but you do not have the
BIG CORP politics.
I may work for hours sometimes but it is
worth it!
however I would to eat and pay bills.
A smaller company you have a lot of
responsibilities but you do not have the
BIG CORP politics.
I may work for hours sometimes but it is
worth it!
I second this, IT jobs are already stressful. No need for additional politics and redtapes. Most of the time in big companies, other depts like to blame IT but never blame the policy and red tapes that prevent IT from doing their jobs.
...or I must be doing something wrong. Maybe it's because I am the quasi-DBA, the quasi-data architect, the quasi-reporting-application developer in addition to the BA, QA, and project manager too.
I spent months working on my own time to clean up the mess of those prior and automate more of the repetitive, mundane tasks and document only to be told by my manager that small companies do not believe in comp time and that he feels not enough is being produced. Yes, tons of hours were saved by the end-users, but that goes on their metrics, not mine because as said earlier in another post, most management do not know what is going on as a whole to see accomplishments being made, only what they are looking for, which half the time the don't even know that!
I spent months working on my own time to clean up the mess of those prior and automate more of the repetitive, mundane tasks and document only to be told by my manager that small companies do not believe in comp time and that he feels not enough is being produced. Yes, tons of hours were saved by the end-users, but that goes on their metrics, not mine because as said earlier in another post, most management do not know what is going on as a whole to see accomplishments being made, only what they are looking for, which half the time the don't even know that!
After years of no recognition and prejudicial behavior, I finally decided I wanted to do something that was more meaningful. I am in school now getting my Masters and I am moving into education. Those who can, do, those who can't, teach.
I can no longer do in this environment, so I will teach the next generation, and maybe help them so they don't burn out like I did.
I can no longer do in this environment, so I will teach the next generation, and maybe help them so they don't burn out like I did.
You know - everytime I do my financial aide paperwork, the lady always asks me "Do you plan on becoming a Teacher?" For some reason, although I've never pictured becoming a Teacher, I always answer with "I'm not sure..." I have been burnt out before and messed up about 5 years of my life because of it. I've always looked for a way to continue my education and yet make a difference...maybe teaching is the key?
Burnout is expected when you have bright, hard-working, dedicated employees tasked with keeping information technology up-to-speed and secure while they support end-users who have unrealistic expectations.
The reality is often your IT department cares more about your business than many other employees do but they are a very easy scapegoat. Let's face it, when the "big boss" doesn't know tcp/ip from a Word document, you can't REALLY defend yourself.
Politically, if you're one of the many people who survive at a job because you are in tight with the right person, it's a very wise political strategy to marginalize IT workers, or even the entire IT department. One more on your list of people to blame.
IT is an invisible thing to most upper management. Money spent on information technology is money management and business owners don't want to spend. That's true whether it's in the form of personnel, equipment, software, network deployments, consulting fees.....any of it.
Even as an independent, I still deal with it. I do have the power to decide if I want to work with certain clients, give discounts to certain clients, etc, etc. But I still haven't escaped the "I should just think it and it's so" attitude and after being in the business for near 15 years, I no longer expect to.
The reality is often your IT department cares more about your business than many other employees do but they are a very easy scapegoat. Let's face it, when the "big boss" doesn't know tcp/ip from a Word document, you can't REALLY defend yourself.
Politically, if you're one of the many people who survive at a job because you are in tight with the right person, it's a very wise political strategy to marginalize IT workers, or even the entire IT department. One more on your list of people to blame.
IT is an invisible thing to most upper management. Money spent on information technology is money management and business owners don't want to spend. That's true whether it's in the form of personnel, equipment, software, network deployments, consulting fees.....any of it.
Even as an independent, I still deal with it. I do have the power to decide if I want to work with certain clients, give discounts to certain clients, etc, etc. But I still haven't escaped the "I should just think it and it's so" attitude and after being in the business for near 15 years, I no longer expect to.
This is all too true. Thanks for the information. Ironically though, Im not yet burnt out
While system is up and everything is running smooth, IT staff will not get props for this task, however, as the system goes down or a problem happens, very often the IT staff will be blammed and looked as responsable for the issue, even though the issue, whatever it is, may be related to a "act of god", not fair, but... that's just how the bizz is, either we like it or not. Try to deal with it and make sure you get paid the big $$$.
Life is what you make of it - according to the survey, I am on the critical path to something disastrous. So here is my advice, develop a life plan and only stay in the stressful part of IT for as long as you have to.
We are the chosen profession no matter what anyone tells you, IT persons are the future and I guarantee you that if you are successful in IT - no matter which position - you can be successful in anything you do.
So, back to my advice - once your plan has succeeded, leave your job and do IT the way it was intended - enjoy it!! Remember, for those skeptics, it may be a long time before you stop focusing on the "I am stuck here" mentality to the "I am getting my plan in order" mentality. Once you there my advice will be the same "Enjoy IT"
We are the chosen profession no matter what anyone tells you, IT persons are the future and I guarantee you that if you are successful in IT - no matter which position - you can be successful in anything you do.
So, back to my advice - once your plan has succeeded, leave your job and do IT the way it was intended - enjoy it!! Remember, for those skeptics, it may be a long time before you stop focusing on the "I am stuck here" mentality to the "I am getting my plan in order" mentality. Once you there my advice will be the same "Enjoy IT"
IT is a "young" person's field. Even in management the average age is comparatively low to other industries. This trend will continue - older employees (individual contributors) who are highly paid, with expensive skills to maintain will eventually be managed out.
For the company, the cost/benefit of training for the skill set you need is low. It's cheaper to hire for it and manage others out of the organization. This situation makes it much more challenging to plan your exit strategy and the sacrifices are exponentially larger than they used to be.
Also, face it, youngsters just out of college come with more up to date skill sets, significantly greater passion about technology, and cost much less than the "experienced" professional.
However, I do agree with you that it is our responsibility to manage our own careers and having a life plan should definitely be part of that. However, sometimes, due to life situations, many of us fall into the trap of not having the time or resources to stay current.
I find myself in this unenviable position (I have children, a wife, church, friends, etc...) and it is AMAZING how quickly it happened. C'est le vie...
I am unemployed and am doing exactly what you mention above. Re-planning my life to have a work/life balance and a career entrance, maintenance, and exit strategy. I won't be making this same mistake again.
Sorry for the rambling...
For the company, the cost/benefit of training for the skill set you need is low. It's cheaper to hire for it and manage others out of the organization. This situation makes it much more challenging to plan your exit strategy and the sacrifices are exponentially larger than they used to be.
Also, face it, youngsters just out of college come with more up to date skill sets, significantly greater passion about technology, and cost much less than the "experienced" professional.
However, I do agree with you that it is our responsibility to manage our own careers and having a life plan should definitely be part of that. However, sometimes, due to life situations, many of us fall into the trap of not having the time or resources to stay current.
I find myself in this unenviable position (I have children, a wife, church, friends, etc...) and it is AMAZING how quickly it happened. C'est le vie...
I am unemployed and am doing exactly what you mention above. Re-planning my life to have a work/life balance and a career entrance, maintenance, and exit strategy. I won't be making this same mistake again.
Sorry for the rambling...
How true was the statement abut when the network goes down everyone knows who to call but if the network/IT is reliable then people seem to think you don't do anything ina days work!
This was highlighted in the case of a friend of mine who worked for a company who laid him off because they felt that because the network ran so well, it wasn't the result of his excellent skills rather the result of an excellent management purchase of equipment that seems to run itself! Another case of management offering an incentive to workers to work harder!
Anyone else think Dilbert might recognise this problem?
This was highlighted in the case of a friend of mine who worked for a company who laid him off because they felt that because the network ran so well, it wasn't the result of his excellent skills rather the result of an excellent management purchase of equipment that seems to run itself! Another case of management offering an incentive to workers to work harder!
Anyone else think Dilbert might recognise this problem?
Totally agree on the inverse law, had to work out wording like "calculate the productivity lost due to network/server/email/printing/website downtime this year, if that is near zero then I'm doing my job".
Yesterday restored a folder of cad files that had become corrupted, from the engineer sending the request to file restore less than four minutes, he was mightily impressed but unless I make a song and dance about the various backup methods to get there it would be more "Visible" to have a days cliff-hanger drama with a successful recovery party at the end for management to see what gets done.
Yesterday restored a folder of cad files that had become corrupted, from the engineer sending the request to file restore less than four minutes, he was mightily impressed but unless I make a song and dance about the various backup methods to get there it would be more "Visible" to have a days cliff-hanger drama with a successful recovery party at the end for management to see what gets done.
You, know, just to remind them of why you exist and why they need you.
but I hope that not long after they laid your friend off, their system went down. It would have been a great eye-opener for them. Unfortunately, it probably stayed up for a long time because of what he put in place. Another "nature of the business".
I agree. I'm burned out. This July I'm going back to school to earn my degree in Criminal Justice. Then I'm jumping ship. Ready throw in the towel this one is.
"burnout can result in depression, anxiety, and physical illness. Drugs or alcohol are often a problem. After an extended period of time burnout can cause physical and mental breakdowns, which include suicide, stroke, or heart attack."
I think it's a really ungrateful job. If there's no fire, people think your job is a walk in the park. if there's a fire, you're incompetent.
I also hate being judged by colleagues, based on printer jams and other stuff that's completely out of your hands.
I seem to handle it better over the years, but every once in a while I'm still thinking of a carreer change.
I also hate being judged by colleagues, based on printer jams and other stuff that's completely out of your hands.
I seem to handle it better over the years, but every once in a while I'm still thinking of a carreer change.
As a programmer, my accomplishments are highly praised as every accomplishment means more money for everyone (including bonuses).
To top it off, Programmers are hard to layoff without causing huge setbacks to a project. Especially for such a small group as us. Where only 1 person knows the system 99%, I have about an 80% knowledge, and everyone else is around 50%.
To top it off, Programmers are hard to layoff without causing huge setbacks to a project. Especially for such a small group as us. Where only 1 person knows the system 99%, I have about an 80% knowledge, and everyone else is around 50%.
With this economy, All anyone working in IT can ask for is to stay under the radar.
There isn't too many major companies out there who don't feel the urge to offshore/outsource their entire IT staff including local help desk . Until IT is treated
as an equal within any given organization , it will always be seen as an expense and a financial burden during crunch time . I'm not a fan of corporate mistreatment either , but I can tell you there are plenty of US IT workers on unemployment thanks to shady IT outsourcing/off shoring schemes that save even more $$.
Simply put, IT is an expense, and the higher your salary requirements become due to experience the harder it is to land a gig . Companies want the cheapest option out and best talent to salary price when it comes to IT these days .
There isn't too many major companies out there who don't feel the urge to offshore/outsource their entire IT staff including local help desk . Until IT is treated
as an equal within any given organization , it will always be seen as an expense and a financial burden during crunch time . I'm not a fan of corporate mistreatment either , but I can tell you there are plenty of US IT workers on unemployment thanks to shady IT outsourcing/off shoring schemes that save even more $$.
Simply put, IT is an expense, and the higher your salary requirements become due to experience the harder it is to land a gig . Companies want the cheapest option out and best talent to salary price when it comes to IT these days .
After being laid off one more time in January of last year, I had decided it was time to leave the whole IT field. I was considering social work (we do that already don't we?) or teaching. I enrolled in a career assesment class at my city college. What I found after researching career changes, expense, time, etc. with what I already knew, I realized that I LOVE what I do! I don't want to change it. I was burned out from the COMPANY I had worked for for the last 6 years. The one that didn't even provide me with a desk the first 4 years I was there. The one that groomed the young boy (who got his own office his first day)for the position of systems admin while us career and certified sys admins were either relocated into other departments or fired or given desk jobs like managing licensing, doing the required community volunteer hours for the whole team, etc. Our manager was lazy and lacked people skills. He couldn't stand up to upper management so we were always the ones to take the fall when something went wrong. After taking that class I got really grateful for being laid off. I spent the next 2 semesters taking refresher courses and applying for positions I really wanted with organizations I liked. Now I work for the government. No one that knows me can believe it but I'm so happy where I am. I work with very competent gifted people who work very hard even though they get no more money than if they just put in their required 40. I've already been sent to two trainings and have obtained 2 more certifications since my start in December. I love what I do and I think I love it more now than I ever have. I believe not being valued has a lot to do with burn out. So before you walk away in disgust and leave the field completely, consider changing your environment first.
I'm glad it worked out for you.
Maybe I'm just unlucky, incompetent, or have poor people skills but I've been part of 5 different organizations over the last 6 years. The situations were remarkably similar in each of them.
DISCLAIMER
Admittedly I was totally burned out, emotionally unhealthy, and exceedingly cynical and disillusioned with technology and its management in corporate environments when I left the first of those 5 organizations. I've struggled with what could probably be termed a professional identity crisis ever since.
With that said, I tried changing my environment each time I realized I was in for more of the same garbage I experienced at organization #1. Finally, I ended up with a situation worse than ALL of the others combined.
I was with my last organization for 4 years. We went through 3 CIO's and 2 extended periods with no leadership what-so-ever. Technology had been so mismanaged there was no easy solution to the relatively low cost/benefit of having an in house IT department. I thrive on these kinds of situations as long as there is ACTIVE executive level support. And prior to accepting the position, I interviewed my employer about roles, responsibilities, expectations, the environment's challenges, and executive support for our change strategy.
The bottom line is that they lied through their teeth about almost everything. The environment became toxic - everyone feared for their jobs. At last, a new CIO came in (I'm sure he had a mandate to "clean up" the IT mess) and started axing people and replacing them with his buddies. My original role became irrelevant and I ended up doing something that was both a backward career move and something I absolutely hated.
It all came to a head when I was asked to mislead our stakeholders regarding unresolved system issues that would impact their jobs. I not only refused, during a presentation to the stakeholders I aired some of the critical issues.
Post presentation, I immediately left for organization paid, out of state training. I extended my stay and went to Disneyland with my family. When I returned, I was informed I was no longer on the project (I was relieved) and 5 days later I was informed they were eliminating my position and my services would no longer be needed (again, I was totally relieved).
I am currently unemployed (18 weeks) but happier and more content than I've been in probably 8 years.
The moral of the story is that changing environments may have you jumping from the frying pan into the fire. And let me tell you, that sucks!
BTW: I also realize that when there are negative situations it isn't somebody else's fault. Each of us has to look at our own actions and reactions to identify personal things that need to be changed in our own lives. Take responsibility for our part of the problem.
Anyway - Cheers and Congratulations!
Maybe I'm just unlucky, incompetent, or have poor people skills but I've been part of 5 different organizations over the last 6 years. The situations were remarkably similar in each of them.
DISCLAIMER
Admittedly I was totally burned out, emotionally unhealthy, and exceedingly cynical and disillusioned with technology and its management in corporate environments when I left the first of those 5 organizations. I've struggled with what could probably be termed a professional identity crisis ever since.
With that said, I tried changing my environment each time I realized I was in for more of the same garbage I experienced at organization #1. Finally, I ended up with a situation worse than ALL of the others combined.
I was with my last organization for 4 years. We went through 3 CIO's and 2 extended periods with no leadership what-so-ever. Technology had been so mismanaged there was no easy solution to the relatively low cost/benefit of having an in house IT department. I thrive on these kinds of situations as long as there is ACTIVE executive level support. And prior to accepting the position, I interviewed my employer about roles, responsibilities, expectations, the environment's challenges, and executive support for our change strategy.
The bottom line is that they lied through their teeth about almost everything. The environment became toxic - everyone feared for their jobs. At last, a new CIO came in (I'm sure he had a mandate to "clean up" the IT mess) and started axing people and replacing them with his buddies. My original role became irrelevant and I ended up doing something that was both a backward career move and something I absolutely hated.
It all came to a head when I was asked to mislead our stakeholders regarding unresolved system issues that would impact their jobs. I not only refused, during a presentation to the stakeholders I aired some of the critical issues.
Post presentation, I immediately left for organization paid, out of state training. I extended my stay and went to Disneyland with my family. When I returned, I was informed I was no longer on the project (I was relieved) and 5 days later I was informed they were eliminating my position and my services would no longer be needed (again, I was totally relieved).
I am currently unemployed (18 weeks) but happier and more content than I've been in probably 8 years.
The moral of the story is that changing environments may have you jumping from the frying pan into the fire. And let me tell you, that sucks!
BTW: I also realize that when there are negative situations it isn't somebody else's fault. Each of us has to look at our own actions and reactions to identify personal things that need to be changed in our own lives. Take responsibility for our part of the problem.
Anyway - Cheers and Congratulations!
Having suffered this myself, I can agree. Certainly the orgasnizations I worked for have little in the way of support for this. There may well be procedures in place once someone suffers from the effects, however there is little or no training for managers, or the personell depts to see the warning signs, or take early action. The effects on the organization are also not recognized. The loss of a contributing member of staff can have a dramatic effect on ongoing projects, not to mention moral of co-workers. Time to wake up to the effects of burnout.
I'm not trying to start an argument here but you bring up an interesting question. The following references to "you" are not directed at "you" or anyone in particular.
Should an organization be responsible for providing support for your personal job burnout issues? What kind of support should they provide? Should they send you back to school and retrain you for another career?
On the flip side....Should you be responsible for seeking your own support for job burnout? Should you join a self help group that meets every week? Maybe you should spend your money and go back to school to find a new career? Or take a chance and turn your hobby into a career?
In the interest of disclosure - I'm on the flip side.
Should an organization be responsible for providing support for your personal job burnout issues? What kind of support should they provide? Should they send you back to school and retrain you for another career?
On the flip side....Should you be responsible for seeking your own support for job burnout? Should you join a self help group that meets every week? Maybe you should spend your money and go back to school to find a new career? Or take a chance and turn your hobby into a career?
In the interest of disclosure - I'm on the flip side.
the New Media and the support industries ignore the laws that were enacted to prevent overwork, and the onus is on the back office personnel to act like machines - with maximum efficiency at all times, in contrast to those accord human status because they have a public face - in order to compensate.
because in a typical shop the infrastructure is consolidated rather than distributed between self-invested producers and sellers, one hierarchy delivers rewards, and the producers aren't visible so they aren't acknowledged - just as in the cloth mills a century ago.
divisions that use the personality type that results in good output but don't honor the mentalities of that type are endemic.
because in a typical shop the infrastructure is consolidated rather than distributed between self-invested producers and sellers, one hierarchy delivers rewards, and the producers aren't visible so they aren't acknowledged - just as in the cloth mills a century ago.
divisions that use the personality type that results in good output but don't honor the mentalities of that type are endemic.
I have been there, burnt out, serious health problems, but the pressure to carry on was relentless. 3 years ago I finally came to the conclusion that the backstabbing, incompetent management was not going to listen and I quit, thus preventing a complete psychological breakdown. I am happy now, because I have my own company (I am retired from the NHS at 60), doing something completely different. The NHS Trust I worked for has lost 5 key people like myself in the aftermath of me leaving, others saw the same light, I guess. The IT department is now on the brink of being outsourced, but the management still is there where it has always sat, go figure....
If everything is going to move to the "Cloud", what is going to happen to all those IT jobs anyway??
(From some of the comments, I'm glad I work in a small company!!]
(From some of the comments, I'm glad I work in a small company!!]
Try this: http://baens-universe.com/articles/when_sysadmins_ruled_the_earth
Yes, I am glad I am no longer it IT support to Sales. All those hours on the road when I had things to do in the office, Salesmen who didn't know the capabilities of our equipment - They thought they didn't have to. ETC!!!
Yes, I am glad I am no longer it IT support to Sales. All those hours on the road when I had things to do in the office, Salesmen who didn't know the capabilities of our equipment - They thought they didn't have to. ETC!!!
I posted this in another group but it is worth time here too, the WORST job I EVER had and was physically ILL going to the train station every single DAY at the end of it. Real horror show.
*****
I supported a team effort for 11,000 systems at Roosevelt, St. Lukes and Beth Israel Hospitals in Manhattan. WHERE TO BEGIN? Virus, malware and porn were RAMPANT across the network. We would image a system and week later it all came back in again. Doctors could not get to patient data in PRISM because of these problems. 30 Computers were STOLEN FROM ROOM 617 at St. Lukes. First Consulting Group just adjusted the inventory to hide the theft. A system was stolen from the Pastor's office in St. Lukes and one from the Roosevelt Cafeteria commons area. GONE. First Consulting had low staff,overworked technicians and zero controls in place, JUST NONE. They were bought by Computer Sciences. THIS WAS ONE JOB I WAS GLAD TO LEAVE!!! TOTAL STRESS.
*****
I supported a team effort for 11,000 systems at Roosevelt, St. Lukes and Beth Israel Hospitals in Manhattan. WHERE TO BEGIN? Virus, malware and porn were RAMPANT across the network. We would image a system and week later it all came back in again. Doctors could not get to patient data in PRISM because of these problems. 30 Computers were STOLEN FROM ROOM 617 at St. Lukes. First Consulting Group just adjusted the inventory to hide the theft. A system was stolen from the Pastor's office in St. Lukes and one from the Roosevelt Cafeteria commons area. GONE. First Consulting had low staff,overworked technicians and zero controls in place, JUST NONE. They were bought by Computer Sciences. THIS WAS ONE JOB I WAS GLAD TO LEAVE!!! TOTAL STRESS.
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