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  • #2257725

    74% of IT pros are happy with their jobs?

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    by smorty71 ·

    I was reading an article over on eWeek called “Building the Perfect IT Person” and I noticed an interesting statistic:

    “74% = Portion of the IT work force happy with their jobs in July, up from 71 percent in June, according to Hudson Employment Index for IT Workers data released Aug. 2.”

    74%? That seemed high to me, especially based on a lot of the comments I read here in our forum 🙂

    Do you think that number is accurate? Do you consider yourself happy in terms of your career?

    BTW, here is the link to the eWeek story:
    http://www.eweek.com/article2/0,1895,2002881,00.asp

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    • #3231602

      Maybe happy to HAVE their job?

      by jdclyde ·

      In reply to 74% of IT pros are happy with their jobs?

      I am personally happy with my job.

      I set my own schedule, choose my own projects, don’t have someone breathing down my neck, and make a decent wage.

      They also have tuition re-embursement of $2500 a year (which is one semester for me) so they removed my cap completely. I just have to pay for the books.

      Thirsty Thursdays the CEO is at the local bar, and buys the rounds for any and everyone that stops in.

      Sure, I don’t make as much as if I was for a major tech firm, but the small family business (only about $50 mill) is the way to go for work environment.

      People like to grip, whine and complain. If a higher percentage really hated their jobs, they would get off their arses and get a different job. Simple. The number sounds good to me. B-)

      • #3277210

        Yep, Thankful is more likely

        by scott365 ·

        In reply to Maybe happy to HAVE their job?

        I’m happy with my current job, but I’ve been in the IT trenches before when I wasn’t allowed to have a life unless my life revolved around work.

        I, like jdclyde, am in a company where the feel is family owned even though it’s a somewhat large staff. People are more thankful for my services and the top dog says my (and other IT staff) workday starts at 8a and ends at 5p with exception of a few long weekends rebuilding servers.

        As for me, I’m happy to have a good job with good benefits.

      • #3277114

        Happy to have a job … wish I had Phoenix pay

        by too old for it ·

        In reply to Maybe happy to HAVE their job?

      • #3229881

        Agreed…happy to have ANY job in IT

        by jck ·

        In reply to Maybe happy to HAVE their job?

        Am I happy with my job? No, but it’s better than being unemployed. And, I’ve seen a lot of shops in good ole boy Corporate America trying to “streamline operations” to reduce the number of IT while still retaining top-heavy management numbers.

        As for getting off your arse…

        It’s not as easy as you think sometimes. I have been fully qualified for jobs here and abroad. Fact is, I can’t afford to make trips for interviews 50-100 miles each way once per week because of the expense and the fact I’d run out of paid leave to do so.

        And, I can’t afford to go back to school and get a degree. That takes money and with all the tax and insurance hikes lately…making it on government pay went from okay to difficult.

        You have to understand, jdclyde. The place you work is an exception…not the rule. Most IT shops are severely understaffed and/or overtasked. You have a posh job. Don’t let that make you think everyone has it as nice as you. I’ve had 2 bosses that would go drink beers with the staff. The others preferred to go to the country club in their Merc or Jag and hobnob with other elitists.

        Lucky my current boss is a good guy…or…I’d have gone to working double shifts at Home Depot and quit this place. The work environment has gone from good to sucks in under 2 years with some recent hirings.

        Anyways…stay where you are and retire from there…you got it good.

        As for me, I’m still looking to go to a small company in Ireland where I can actually work and have my efforts appreciated by more than just my boss.

        • #3201652

          posh job?

          by jdclyde ·

          In reply to Agreed…happy to have ANY job in IT

          We have 100 end users, spread around the state. There are three of us to cover the hardware/software, but I end up as the primary in most cases. the shortest drive is an hour and a half, each way. Yesterday was three hours each way.

          I am the only network guy.

          I am the only security guy.

          I am the only inhouse trainer.

          I do the lions share of finding new ways to do things, and test equipment.

          My co-workers, one spends most of her time with the phone system and the other programming (cobol).

          There is a lot on my plate, but I do it well so people give me a lot of elbow room to handle things.

          Most people have a problem because they end up working for a poorly trained boss that thinks they need to babysit and micromanage you. I could not live (happily) like that, but I could make do if it was the only way to pay the bills.

          The family business will usually have the higher job satisfaction than the big corporations or the government work. The pay just isn’t always as good. I could make about 1/3 more if I was willing to move to Detroit or Lansing, but money isn’t worth more to me than family and friends. If I can make it buy comfortably without moving, I will. I DO drive an hour each way to my office. Next year I am going to see if I can telecommute more.

        • #3230901

          yes…posh *job*

          by jck ·

          In reply to posh job?

          Your freedom makes it very posh compared to a lot of people.

          If I called you posh…that’d mean well-to-do…if I said posh wank…that means someone used “protection” in regards to intercourse…but…a posh job is luxurious…mansions are posh too.

          As for duties?

          I currently serve over 140 employees in my department directly at 7 different sites ranging from the tech savvy to field workers some of which barely even know how to power on the computer, and peripherally another 250+ employees from other departments within the government but outside of mine who access my databases or my software.

          I am the only Microsoft or Linux developer writing apps for my department. Plus, that makes me the only person who can document my software and train everyone who has to use it.

          I am the technical backup to my boss, who administrates the Unix server and billing system software.

          I am the only MS/SQL, Oracle or Sybase database person in my department.

          I am the “go-to” tech contact to get information for anything from memory sticks to digital cameras to routers to LCD monitors to barcode scanners.

          I am a purchasing technician of sorts, because I can tell people where to go to get the best government and retail pricing for items…even the purchasing department people.

          I am solely responsible for the development and interfacing of our location software to the State of Florida’s locating designee organisation.

          I am the primary Crystal Reports person in my department, e.g.- I get to modify 200+ of my boss’ reports to the new billing system database schema that he’s done in the past several years…before 4 October 2006…lucky me, eh?

          We don’t manage our own phone system or computer network. Otherwise, I’d probably be doing that too. The commission centralised that at the main office complex along with physically hosting email servers and DB servers there.

          The only thing I don’t do full-time that is done here…is manage PC technical issues or Unix system admin. I’m a backup to others on that stuff when they are out sick or something.

          Plus the biggest thing of all, I’m accountable to 58,000 paying customers whom we serve. If my data is not correct, accessible or I’m not here to answer questions as fast as they want…you know what hits the fan.

          So yes…you do have it posh in your IT role…compared to a lot of people. Your flexibility and freedom to choose that you mentioned about makes your job a rareity in IT.

          I used to have a job like yours. Computer Services Section Head…multiple locations…around 100 users…2 hour drives to fix things…jack of all trades job…designed and procured $250,000+ of system and network upgrades…two of us doing all the work. And, I didn’t get to set my own schedule then…and, I was only making $27,000 a year too…which I guess was okay for a 27 year old.

          Now, I’m Senior Programmer. Technically, I sit only under my boss, the department asst. director and the department director, within my department…and the commissioners at the governmental level.

          Now…I don’t get to choose anything other than when I need to go to the bathroom and when I get a cup of coffee.

          Like yesterday, I arrived at 7:10am and I didn’t get lunch or a break until 4pm yesterday. At which time (because I had revamped 6 reports and upgraded and tested 4 pieces of software), I went home.

          Your job is nice…just ask how many people here get to set their own schedule, choose their projects, etc.

          Honest man…you got it made compared to most…freedom of schedule…choice of work…freedom from a boss over your shoulder…a boss who buys you booze…etc.

          yes…posh was a good term. Your job is pretty darn posh. 🙂

          BTW…what’s the mileage reimbursement up to nowadays? $.36 per mile? 😉

          Count yourself as lucky man…you’ve got it made.

        • #3230845

          AWAY peasant! :p

          by jdclyde ·

          In reply to yes…posh *job*

          Had I only known before! ;\

          Reimbursement is ONLY $.35, but the government does I believe $.49, so if I keep track of the total mileale and subtract what I get from work, I can claim the difference on my taxes! Both going to the other locations AND going to school. (did I mention they are paying for me to get my POSH BA in network management?)

          Yes, it is a good place to work, and thankfully I make a good bit more than 27.

          Just wish I could get a company car! 😀

          My boss will be retiring within a year, and things could change very quickly around here. I will be applying for that job. I would let go of some of my duties to be able to perform the management side, but I would keep the network/server/security parts. You know, the fun stuff.

          And actually, it is my bosses boss that buys the booze every thursty thursday. B-)

          Was not aware everyone has it so badly? Or do people like to have a more structured day?

          Beautiful sunny day, just got done with a joy ride to another location for a few small jobs. Time to fill out that expense report! 😀

        • #3230840

          Typical IT

          by jck ·

          In reply to AWAY peasant! :p

          1) Is not mobile. Most companies like to locate personnel with their equipment in a single location and do as much server-side as possible (saves money).

          2) Does not have bosses buying booze unless they get to write it off as business-related.

          3) has “standard hours”…which you are required to be there. Although, they will hire you salary so that you are required to work more than that to meet deadlines. But, they don’t have to compensate you for it.

          I did the supervisory/management thing 10 years ago. It’s not my kinda thing, at least in the environments I’ve been in since then.

          I can’t go into a meeting an tell my bosses “I need these things.” and be told that I don’t. That rides up my butt worse than any underwear could ever.

          If I am put in a job to run something, I’m gonna know what my people need…what they want…and what they’d like. If I say “We really need new network hardware.” because our routers have been dropping out regularly and are out of warranty, we need to replace them. I don’t go crying wolf.

          If they know better than me, they should just fire me and guess at what my people need. It’d be more cost-effective and have the same result.

          Anyways…yes…the bulk of corporate IT:

          1) is droll
          2) is repressing
          3) doesn’t usually want you to further your education unless it’s on your time and your dime.

          This is the first place I have worked that paid me to go to a training course on their time and put me in a hotel and gave me meal money. Everyone else has expected me to do it myself, or held it in-house at noon and gave us $1.40 lunches and said that was a “working lunch”.

          Anyways…congrats on your company. I’m looking for a company like that…in Europe. Hopefully Ireland, but England or Scotland or Holland or Italy would do. 🙂

          (Then I could drive an air-car and not be laughed at for being environmentally conscientious. 😉 )

        • #3230828

          What would have made it all perfect

          by jdclyde ·

          In reply to Typical IT

          we ALMOST bought out a competitor that is about three miles from my house! :_| I could have moved my office there and rode my bike to work! 🙁

          5 minutes to work instead of and hour. Wow, that would have been cool. It fell through and now could never happen. Damn monopoly laws! X-(

          Being a programmer also is very differnt to the type of support. You HAVE a set project that has to be in. I started here as a cobol programmer, doing the y2k re-write of our legacy system. 850 programs accessing 900 datafiles, all intertwined. That took a year and a half of being locked in my cave. AAAAAAAAAAAAAAA! Now the only programming I do is html for the Intranet.

          Good luck at being more like me! A noble endevor! B-)

        • #3230817

          haha…right

          by jck ·

          In reply to Typical IT

          If anything, I’m ahead of you…

          I’ve already been in your shoes…I learned the lessons…and got out of management.

          I’m looking for that kind of company…not to be like you. 😉

          (So when is your boss retiring and where do I send my resume? 😀 )

        • #3230775

          only fooling yourself

          by jdclyde ·

          In reply to Typical IT

          you want to be me soooooo bad! 😀

          I would go on about just how badly you wish you were me, but I don’t want my scotch to get warm. That just wouldn’t do!

          Cheers!

          Have you looked into what is the easiest country “over there” to get your work papers as a way to get your foot in the door?

          Stop taking showers and you might be able to go to France? 😀

        • #3205749

          not fooling

          by jck ·

          In reply to Typical IT

          Trust me…if I wanted to be like you, i’d be living up there…probably Rochester, MN since I turned a job down up there 2 years ago. 😉

          BTW…I drink MacCallan 17 year. 😀

          As for finding the “easiest” country…that’d probably be somewhere like…Holland. I have thought about that, since I speak a limited amount of Dutch (thanks to my friends from Den Haag…or as English speakers call it…The Hague). Then, if I got Dutch dual citizenship, I could move freely to Ireland.

          But, I’m not one to use someone else or their system or their country…to get what I want.

          I do things the right, proper, and respectful way…and earn it…not take the shortcut

        • #3205691

          Your looking at that all wrong JCK

          by jdclyde ·

          In reply to Typical IT

          You look to see the rules of the game, and then you play within those rules to get what you want/need.

          If it is easier to go to one and then work over to the other, that is not dishonest or a short cut.

          Not to mention, you just might end up liking your first jump. You never know.

          If I were so inclined to reside somewhere else, and I felt strongly about it, I would make a list of the ways I could make it a reality, pick the path with the most chance of success, and do it.

          No, I am not just trying to get rid of another Democratic vote. Just saying that if you really desire this as strongly as you have implied on this board, never doing it because of red-tape is not a regret you will want to look back on in the nursing home.

          Seeing my grandparents weekly in the nursing home has really helped me change the way I live. I don’t want to have a big list of “man, I wish I would have done …….”.

          Life is just too short for anything but.

          That is why I spend all my time doing things with my boys instead of chasing bar s!uts, looking for some “action”.

          When I am gone, if I am remembered for any single thing, I could ask for nothing better than for it to be “He was a great dad, who was always there”.

          Take any LEGAL route available to you.

          Oh, I have been drinking 12 year MacCallan. Walked by Thing One the other day with a glass and got a “mmmmmm, that smells good!” from him… :0 ;\

          Been teaching the boys about scotch and wine. How to look at it, smell it, and savor it. Not chug-a-lug it. Only morons drink to intoxicate regularly. They see me with ONE glass of wine or scotch a night, and are aware of the HEALTH benifits of it. They will even remind me and bring me a glass. B-)

          I have also told them about partying while growing up, and how being the sober one was always more fun than the one upchucking or passed out with people writing on their faces with markers and such! More fun to be the one DOING the laughing instead of being the one to get laughed AT.

          Smart kids!

          At deer camp this year, they will each get their own “first beer” given to them. B-) Trying to think of other “rites of passage”. Will probably make it something along the line of a “coors light” or a “Mic lite” for a first beer. Or wait a minute, Red Stripe probably wouldn’t be too much for a beginner.

          I am SO looking forward to this.

        • #3205682

          the right way

          by jck ·

          In reply to Typical IT

          well…if the legal way to do things makes it okay, then no one should yell about abortion. Under law, it’s absolutely legal…and must be okay…right?

          As for doing it any way that is legal, I could not feel right about myself going to another EU country and proclaiming my desire to live there when my real desire is just to get citizenship in an EU country so I can go to Ireland.

          It would be akin to going out with a girl until her more attractive sister is single, and then dating her sister and dumping her.

          It is totally legal, but just isn’t right to do it that way.

          Sorry I disagree with you, but I won’t do that just to get what I want. That’s not how I live my life, i.e.- using someone/something just to get my indulgences fulfilled.

        • #3205668

          Well, I guess

          by jdclyde ·

          In reply to Typical IT

          you could just continue to work forever at a place you do not enjoy instead. Yeah, that sounds much better?

          Ask any of the UKers what they think of the idea of Country hopping.

          I don’t see how you make that leap of logic to the legality of abortion though. And yes, MANY of the PRO-abotrionists DO justify it based on the fact that it is legal for them to do this at will.

          Oh well, enjoy Florida then.

        • #3205656

          the point I leap from…

          by jck ·

          In reply to Typical IT

          [i]”Take any LEGAL route available to you.”[/i]

          Because something is LEGAL does not make it the RIGHT thing to do.

          That’s my point. I won’t use the Dutch to get to Ireland. I will go through Ireland’s system to get in there…not an EU loophole. And if I can not get into Ireland, I can at least live knowing I didn’t try and do a immigration end-around on a country I profess to admire and respect.

          I’d rather regret that the Irish kept me out because I wasn’t the right nationality…rather than regret that I was deceptive and did something I consider to be less than honest.

          If you think that silly, then as I said…sorry if we disagree…but, I just don’t live my life that way.

        • #3205645

          On second thought, you are correct

          by jdclyde ·

          In reply to Typical IT

          That WAS a good example using abortion as something that may be legal, but sure isn’t right. Well done.

        • #3205636

          this might be WAY off topic here…

          by jck ·

          In reply to Typical IT

          but I have to make this clear, jdclyde…just so it doesn’t get brought up later in an abortion debate…

          just remember…that was a broad statement…

          I can say there are definitely times that abortion is called for in my opinion…for example…if the doctor definitively said “Your wife will die if she does not abort the pregnancy.”

          I’d rather be without children and still have a wife…than to have a child and think every day that it was the reason my wife was dead.

          I don’t advocate abortion as a tool for convenient birth control for [b]myself[/b].

          Hence, I won’t say that it is right for me.

          What anyone else chooses to decide…that is their right under law and within their beliefs. I won’t tell anyone else how to live.

          Just like I didn’t tell you that you were wrong if you would choose to get into Ireland through the EU loophole, if you were in my shoes. That is your decision to make and if you see it as morally appropriate.

          I won’t condemn you as legally wrong, but I won’t say it is right to do either.

          Sorry…just wanted to make myself clear there…

          OK…enough depressing crap…

          I’m going home early…see you all later, if Ernesto doesn’t get me.

        • #3205611

          Even when I agree with you

          by jdclyde ·

          In reply to Typical IT

          you back tread?

          Is the fact that something is legal enough justification to do ANYTHING or not? Yes or no. Not, “depending on what you believe” wishy-washy double talk. Make a stand. You are the one that threw that out, not me.

          Yes, in medical emergencies, of course it is excused. But for birthcontrol? hmmmm.

          How about smoking? We pretend for a moment that you have a baby in your arms. Neice or whatever. Someone comes around and starts chain smoking in the area you are in with that baby, BUT it is an area that is legal to smoke in.

          Everything in the world is not just one more shade of grey. Somethings are right and some things are wrong.

          Good luck on the drive home. Make SURE your important papers are all together in a weather proof box, and ready to roll on a moments notice. Pictures too. Just about anything else can be re-bought after the wind dies down. Oh yeah, your guitar you got last summer. Might as well have that set to go. Might need something to amuse yourself with while your at the shelter.

        • #3282504

          it’s not backtreading…

          by jck ·

          In reply to Typical IT

          it was clarification…I made a clarification. Have you grasped that concept yet?

          Legal does not mean it is the right thing to do [b]period[/b]. It means it is [b]legally[/b] right.

          Law is established by representatives of a constituency to define acceptable behaviour which all individuals are *supposed* to follow within that jurisdiction.

          Morality is an individual concept. It can be based on law, religion, or other concepts. And, it is something that varies by individual.

          Law is common to a group. Morality is individual.
          Law is a rule. Morality is a person’s behavioural doctrine.

          Hence why I came back and [b]clarified[/b] for you that difference. Legal does not always mean it is correct in individual opinion.

          And per your question:

          [i]Is the fact that something is legal enough justification to do ANYTHING or not? Yes or no. Not, “depending on what you believe” wishy-washy double talk. Make a stand. You are the one that threw that out, not me.
          [/i]

          Enough justification how? Legally? Or morally?

          If you mean legally, then yes. I can do something under law that is legal and it is legally appropriate.

          If you mean morally, then no. Law of man is not the determining factor of what the total basis of an individual’s moral consistency. Some things that are legal are acceptable to me, while others are not.

          Fact is, you yourself quite often use vague terms in your questions and statements so that you can “wish-wash” later on. I wish you’d more clearly define things for me sometimes so I know of what you speak. So, please stop being supreme czar of wishy-washy 😉

          Sorry if my stating more clearly my beliefs was too much for you to handle, and that you seem to believe that all humans should have the same moral belief on some things…such as abortion.

          Sorry I don’t fit your moral mold enough. But, I am my own person…and that is my RIGHT under LAW to be my own person…remember? Life…liberty…pursuit of happiness? :p

          As for hurricane prep, I was prepared a long time ago. Bottled water, batteries, papers in a waterproof/fireproof safe I can load, flashlights, etc.

          And, I don’t have to go to any shelter. I’ll sleep in my car and let someone with children have the beds in a shelter…someone with sons…like…you would have there? 😉

          See….I have more morals than you realize :p

          I’ll take this back to the Miscellaneous Discussion area now, so that these fine people can discuss IT employment satisfaction.

    • #3231593

      Well I am

      by tony hopkinson ·

      In reply to 74% of IT pros are happy with their jobs?

      I’m also predicting a mass die off at CEO rank in the US, if most of them are holding their breath waiting for this perfect IT employee to turn up.
      Leap tall buildings with a single bound …

      There will be guys out there who can do all that, not very many though and they’ll all be planning on retiring from the board.

      I qualified on everything but the desire to manage, as long as I keep my gob shut.

      Not perfect after all, oh well.

      • #3231528

        YES and NO

        by 3xp3rt ·

        In reply to Well I am

        I also am happy with my job. BUT I am not happy about the salary. In my country I have a very good salary but if I compare this with other country?s salary it?s very small. So finally I?m happy and I?m not.

        • #3231501

          Never thought of that aspect of

          by tony hopkinson ·

          In reply to YES and NO

          globalisation, parity on salaries across countries.
          ROTFLMAO.

          I worked in another country for a while (Holland), for a considerably better salary, it’s a bit of wrench, but had many positive aspects.

          Course if want to shift salaries up in your country, you need to talk to some economists, there’s nothing a single business can do about that except lose their home market.

        • #3231460

          I still can’t understand this mentality

          by jdclyde ·

          In reply to YES and NO

          How can someone be happy with their job and the pay for that job, up until they find out someone else is making more than them.

          How does this take away from what you were getting, for what you were doing?

          Sure, I could make more than I do now if I went to a bigger tech firm, but it seems the more the pay goes up, the more the job satisfaction goes down.

          Pay does not equal happy to me. A bigger paycheck would just have me living at a higher level of debt with more responsibilites at work, thus more stress.

          For my area, I make good money.

        • #3212631

          Me neither

          by tony hopkinson ·

          In reply to I still can’t understand this mentality

          The market pays the salary, you want more , you got to change something else. The only reason Holland cut it for me was 20% tax relief for needed skills, no point in 10k more salary when you pay 12k more taxes is there. Like asking for london weighting when you don’t live in London, makes the business types think you are some sort of pratt.

    • #3231520

      Partially

      by w2ktechman ·

      In reply to 74% of IT pros are happy with their jobs?

      I am happy with my job and the people that I work with. The dept. that I support has been good to me as well, with limited problems from them.

      That said, I am unhappy with the upper management in regards to IT and cutbacks. Due to the cutbacks everything (network stability)seems to be falling apart, and from what I hear, it’s not just at this company.

      I am also pissed off at Corp. when they would first look overseas to hire anybody, before looking around. And looking for way too much for way to little. If you look around, many IT pros spend a lot of time in training, and new technologies. Also, many have already spent years in school, so why we are viewed so poorly by upper management is rediculous. This is a profession which requires a lot of knowledge and continual study, much like the other ‘allowable’ careers for higher pay. But IT is always targeted (since 2000) for reductions, and for increasing additional services with less staff.

    • #3231441

      It depends….

      by stan20 ·

      In reply to 74% of IT pros are happy with their jobs?

      It depends on what you mean by “happy”. Nearly everyone has parts of their job that they are happy with, and parts that they are unhappy with. The answers to the survey parbably depend more on exactly when the question was asked than on some change in the level of IT job satisfaction. I’ve had jobs where I was generally happy, but if you asked just after a meeting with some chimp-in-a-suit manager, I would be expressing extreme disatisfaction and talking about quiting.

      Most of the problems with upper management are caused by the fact that they see IT as just a cost and not as a potential profit center. And most IT professionals don’t make the case that money spent on IT will improve the bottom line.

      Personally, I am very happy with my job. But then I created the job I wanted, built a company around it, and have a partner who handles the business end of things. So if I’m not happy now, its my own fault! lol

    • #3212692

      IT is where I want to work

      by jimmie.kepler ·

      In reply to 74% of IT pros are happy with their jobs?

      I always remember that IT is where I want to work. On those frequent days when I am unhappy about work I keep reminding myself how many people would love to have my job. I remember a few years ago when we had one vacancy on our help desk and had over 900 unsolicated resumes. I still get amazed that I get paid a great salary to work on software, computers and networks.

      • #3166586

        Must be nice

        by the dude in dallas ·

        In reply to IT is where I want to work

        Must be nice to work somewhere and have a great salary in Dallas, I have a salary that could do much better and I am the only one in IT, 100+ employees TV/Radio station 24/7/365 on call right at 40k, doesn’t seem fair!

    • #3212474

      74% Sure…..

      by ntekkie ·

      In reply to 74% of IT pros are happy with their jobs?

      Yes, I think that number is very accurate of those of us still or recently employed in the technical field. Until you do something stupid, like get yourself stuck in the middle of a situation that can only go bad to worse. I seem to be the queen of this last statement, having managed to lose yet another job due to service complaints more about my employer than my work. Oops! I guess I am not part of the 74% happy people, which makes it more like 73.99%.

    • #3231305

      From the trenches

      by zen37 ·

      In reply to 74% of IT pros are happy with their jobs?

      During my lunch hour, contemplating the origins of life while sipping my fruit punch, I came across the article. After reading it, I could not help but wonder if our sun had suddenly imploded and the planets had all aligned like pool balls and all fell into oblivion (side pocket) left by the black hole that use to be our source of life. From what universe are these CIOs from? Then I realized that I had not fallen into the twilight zone of the IT world, but it sure doesn?t seem they live in the same world I live in.

      Some of the qualities mentioned in the article make sense, if you are looking to climb the corporate ladder and maybe one day, go over to the dark side, and become a CIO yourself. But not all IT workers are willing to follow the emperor at all costs. In a surprising twist of events, I now understand all those news reports saying that companies cannot seem to find the ?qualified? workers they are seeking. Like deep see fishing in a swimming pool, they are looking for what is not there.

      Most people I know as actual storm troopers?ehr..i mean, IT workers, don?t like to deal with, what I like to talk that gibberish language I like to call sales talk. The kind of language you hear from the salespersons of major software corporations when they are trying to offload their bugware to upper management. That language is an art in itself. For you need to tell pointed-haired bosses what they want to hear without telling the minions what they shouldn?t hear. It?s a custom to politicians? language.

      This language contains words and phrases that very probably did not exist 5 years ago at least in the IT realm, and are barely definable today still. You know the ones I?m talking about. Words like synergy, globalisation, cost of ownership, ROI and more. These are all big words concocted by high level management in an, unfortunately, successful attempt at validating their jobs over the jobs of the minions. Like the sirens singing to the sailors in the oceans, the language leaves quite an impression to the heartless shareholders who would sell their mother if there was enough profit in it.

      I?ve seen a CFO dump a quarter of a million dollars mail system that worked fine for a half millions system just because they could send stock quotes to his palm. Only to realize that, no, it could not and the entire Palm handhelds had to be replaced by blackberrys at huge costs. How can anyone still be working after such a mess? But he did keep on working, probably after performing some kind of druid cult like ceremony to either bury the whole thing or make it sound like an investment for the future.

      You know what it think, I think the CIOs are so busy counting their bonuses, stock options and the likes that they need people to perform the druid ceremonies, hide the truth about projects and be escape goats if the house of cards comes down.

      Then I started wondering, what would we brew, us the IT workers from the trenches, in order to get the perfect CIO?

      74%…..i think they got those numbers backwards. 47% sounds more like it.

      • #3277332

        Finally….Someone Else

        by the davemeister ·

        In reply to From the trenches

        At last! I am so pleased to see that I am not the only member of the Rebel Forces left alive. I was beginning to think that I was the only person on this forum who didn’t enjoy his job any more.
        When I started in IT in 1990 it was all about producing systems which made things better or faster (or both). Now I spend a majority of my day producing spreadsheets and presentations for lazy arsed managers who think that they shouldn’t have to learn how to use their systems. I never thought I’d say it but enough is enough. I’m leaving IT in a couple of months to pursue my own agenda. I won’t be sad to see the back of an industry where we have gone from being respected professionals to underpaid skivvies to senior idiots

      • #3012291

        From the Dark Side

        by alphaw ·

        In reply to From the trenches

        The CIO position is dependent on the overall strategy and goals of the organization. The actual tone of the organization, either understaffed or in growth mode is set by the CFO and CEO. If you do not like the company culture and goals, it is probably not the CIO.

        That being said, I find a large majority of people in IT do not like their jobs. I find 74% to be on the high side.

    • #3202288

      As I read it, the “perfect” IT person…

      by nicknielsen ·

      In reply to 74% of IT pros are happy with their jobs?

      …is a business major with tech skills. Somehow I don’t see that happening. Not because the two are incompatible, but because the majority of techs that I know are interested in making the business run, but not interested in running the business. And the majority of business majors I know only want to know enough tech to help them advance in the business.

      For CIOs and HR to expect techs to understand the business is realistic. To expect entry-level or even mid-level techs to have the skills or inclination to advance to management level is delusional at best. With my experience (over 30 years in electronics, communications, and computers), I expect I qualify as a senior tech. However, as I have no interest in advancing beyond a role as a technician-supervisor, I will probably always be classified as a mid-level tech.

      Oh, and yes, I’m happy. I answer to a supervisor 200 miles away who is glad that I only call when I have a major problem. Like JD, I pretty much set my own schedule (although I must take the calls & projects I’m assigned). I’m allowed to respond to calls in a logical sequence, not necessarily chronological order. I earn enough to pay my bills and put a little aside for the future. And I particularly love that my work is a changing challenge, not a repetitive routine.

      Edit: add forgotten sentence. Issue challenge. Smorty: how about the pink ribbon this week? http://tinyurl.com/evk5t

      • #3199317

        Hooray

        by tony hopkinson ·

        In reply to As I read it, the “perfect” IT person…

        Are you sure you don’t want to be in management, what’s a matter with you too stupid, no guts, no ambition?

        Another tech who doesn’t feel inadequate after finding out they don’t want to be a manager.

        Fraternal greetings.

        • #3199301

          Salutations

          by nicknielsen ·

          In reply to Hooray

          No, I just don’t wanna be a bu77h0l3 like you! Actually told a manager that, once. For some reason, he didn’t see the humor in it. 😀 ]:)

          I discovered while I was in the USAF that I have the tech skills to be a manager, but not the people skills. It’s one of the reasons I didn’t get that last promotion and had to retire as an E-7…

        • #3277037

          Well there are

          by tony hopkinson ·

          In reply to Salutations

          lots of good managers about but only one me.

          For which, lots of managers are truly thankful.
          LOL

          I’m working at a place now which has a technical track, need to work on my tact, and a bit more business knowledge wouldn’t hurt, but at least my career isn’t over before I’ve ‘failed’.

    • #3199328

      Geeks are easily pleased

      by jetjaguar ·

      In reply to 74% of IT pros are happy with their jobs?

      I think it’s because for the average geek, happiness is a warm keyboard. In other words, IT types aren’t known for their inner reflections and contemplations of life.

    • #3277340

      Nope

      by the davemeister ·

      In reply to 74% of IT pros are happy with their jobs?

      I’ve been in IT for over 20 years now and while I still enjoy the technical aspects of the job. I hate the micromanagement that comes with it. Senior Management whos kids are all “IT experts” and the dreaded “Surely you can make it happen” scenario.
      I’ve got to the point now where I’m retraining to be a driving instructor

    • #3277249

      Been There…

      by dhubbard1500 ·

      In reply to 74% of IT pros are happy with their jobs?

      hhhmmmnnn…but… aren’t the digits reversed? S/B 47% Most IT “pros” that are that happy haven’t caught the train out! IT IS MIS, whatever you want to call it, is unfortunately for some a path to unethical behavior.

      I retired from the profession several years ago, but still keep my baud up!

    • #3166692

      I don’t think so

      by skysharkdude ·

      In reply to 74% of IT pros are happy with their jobs?

      I think most of us have just resigned ourselves to the fact that all of the really good IT jobs are taken, so we just need to be glad that we get a paycheck. I know that I have quit looking and I have quit trying to change the inept system. It is easier to just fix the PC or Server when it breaks, than it is to try to justify common sense to management that only sees dollars and cents on paper.

      • #3166652

        Bean Counters Drive me nuts!

        by lfschauer ·

        In reply to I don’t think so

        It’s pretty hard to be happy when a bean counter has to approve everything that he knows nothing about. Just whether he THINKS it costs too much or not! I’m building a company to get out of IT.

        • #3166613

          I remember a friend telling me

          by nicknielsen ·

          In reply to Bean Counters Drive me nuts!

          about the business critical request for a new UPS. The bean counter turned it down, saying “potential loss of power to web server and web server outage, estimated cost $375 per hour based on current on-line sales” was “insufficient.” Guess who had a power outage that weekend. Guess who led the charge against my “irresponsible” friend.

          Guess who had the last laugh. In writing!

          Guess who is now counting smaller beans…

      • #3166581

        So right

        by the dude in dallas ·

        In reply to I don’t think so

        You are sooooooooooooooooooooooo right!

      • #3229898

        Right on the money!!!!

        by bg6638 ·

        In reply to I don’t think so

        I can’t help but think that the 74% has to be from people who realize that they are lucky to have an IT job at all! Two plus years of looking have left me VERY frustrated to say the least! I’m tired of seeing job descriptions where an employer lists a position as “entry level”, and proceeds with a laundry list of: BS degree required, Master’s preferred, along with 5-10+ years of progressive experience, and virtually every industry cert. that is available!

        • #3201956

          I can almost guarantee

          by nicknielsen ·

          In reply to Right on the money!!!!

          that advertising a position that prefers a Masters plus 5-10 years experience as “entry level” is not getting them very many of the resumes they would like to see.

          Personally, I wouldn’t take a second look at that company, even if I was currently unemployed. That management would allow a job listing like that to be posted doesn’t speak much for their knowledge of what they do actually need.

        • #3201752

          The problem is…………

          by bg6638 ·

          In reply to I can almost guarantee

          compounded by the number of people in the field looking for work. I think that companies are loading up qualifications to reduce the number of resumes that they have to contend with. Perfect example, a small town with <15m population listed an ad for a Sys Admin only in the local paper on a friday. The next morning, the HR dept. had 35 resumes. Two days later, 125! Had they have listed with Monster, they might have had over 500!

          They didn't even look at my resume, as their HR rep told me that she only looked at the first 5 resumes that were sent in. Not very encouraging, especially when your unemployed due to your employer going bankrupt!

    • #3229411

      I am not quite sure if the numbers are accurate

      by johngpmp ·

      In reply to 74% of IT pros are happy with their jobs?

      I think the 74% is a little bit high due to the recent outsourcing, company merging together, buy-out, and reduction in force. If we were in the “good old days” of the 1980, then the number would be more accurate. The IT labor market is becoming (if not already there) like most of the other markets, very competative and very selective (e.g. Employers looking for people that know exact versions of different software).

    • #3199866

      26% of IT pros waste more time on the clock whining than working

      by absolutely ·

      In reply to 74% of IT pros are happy with their jobs?

      What portion of those 26% whine primarily on TechRepublic? What are the other favorite sites for IT “pros” to whine about their “hard work”?

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