Hi guys
I’m 23 this year and am already experiencing how bad IT is being treated (as a commodity) and IT ppl’s skills undervalued. I just started working in an R&D company and the company is losing money since 5 years ago. I observed how my mentor, THE ONLY software engineer there who does his job professionally and with integrity. He has worked there for 1 year(since he graduated) and is paid $50K. The sales executives are paid a hefty $150k and the CEO $300k !!
The company has not been making money, the IT guys(who are critical to this company’s survival) are paid far lesser than the executives.
Now I feel quite demotivated and is planning to have a slight career change, of which I need some advice from those wise ones here.
CAREER CHANGE
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Considering that I’m quite young, I want to start my own business. However, since my core skills are IT-related, I can’t sway too far from IT. I love IT, but I want a balanced life and I demand respect in addition to good pay.
I’m not sure where to go from here, but this is my plan:
1. Work for 2 years in the IT industry as a software developer.
2. Become an IT contractor. While I’m at it, start networking and setup my IT software company and start getting projects.
3. Hire more software developers to take on projects together. I will oversee project progress and be a system analyst.
Though I know this is not the best place for career advice, I’m hoping that someone here has been there done that (or know someone who does). I don’t like finding career advisers as I reckon that they don’t have a clue how to get me there. Even published IT roles with names such as “System Architect” could make them dizzy as they try to visualize it.
Btw, I’m from downunder Sydney. Many thanks in advance and much help appreciated!
