I entered the IT field in the mid 90s when there were plenty of high paying jobs and job security to go around. I finished my BS degree in computers and found myself in jobs where I do everything from programming to networking to databases.
After nearly 10 years in the field, I’m burnt out. A successfuly IT pro has to constantly learn new stuff that has a limited shelf life. If you learn to be a bricklayer, that information is good for life. Your knowledge doesn’t become obsolete after a few years. But in this field, ya gotta be CONSTANTLY learning boring (IMO) technical details in order to remain competitive.
Quite frankly, I think I lost my passion for the field. Outside of work, I never read computer books/magazines/websites just for fun anymore. I’m more interested in reading about stuff like business and psychology.
I bought some Cisco certification books a couple years ago and still can’t seem to bring myself to go through the certification process. I keep putting it off and putting it off. I started a few times but couldn’t stay motivated. It seems like a drawn out, boring, time consuming chore to learn a bunch of information that will eventually be obsolete.
I like working with computers but they’re a means to an end. I now see them as a tool to help businesses, nothing more. I don’t about the different types of graphics cards or the “next version of Red Hat” or object oriented programming (yuck). I’m more concerned about using computers as a tool to help the company save/make profits.
Definitely thinking about a career change while I’m still young enough to do it. Can anyone else relate?