IT Employment

I think your point is exactly the reason that plays into why some people advance and others don't.

It's very easy to complain and blame, it's hard to not fall into that easy trap or to take on the issue and solve it or take responsibility to move ahead of the hurdles...

There's a great quote I use on my email --
"Even if you are on the right track, you'll get run over if you just sit there."
- Will Rogers

Judy Mottl
Senior Editor, Career

It is tied in with self-respect. I was once unemployed for 68 months but didn't give up looking for either IT or non-IT jobs. When signing for welfare one day I got talking with the man in front of me. He had previously been a sign painter for pubs. He was now on the scrap heap, he said, because pub signs were now produced on computers, taking up a lot less time and effort. He had himself not bothered, although "I saw it coming", to learn how to use computers this way, nor where manual painting might still be needed, nor yet to investigate new lines of work or take a class in something interesting. He wouldn't even take the Job Service's extra 10 pounds a week to do a course in any of the various trades they were teaching. I probably had more things to do in life than he had, but I was a lot less miserable in a similar situation. I at least got the 10 pounds extra some weeks, and have battered through to a lucrative and comparatively safe job. This man just moaned that "something should have been done" to supress new technology.
Next week I am going to a union meeting. The theme will be outsourcing and how we should try to prevent it. This is as contemptible in IT workers as it is in the sugar, steel, textile and catfish industries: more so, indeed, because we have the intellectual equipment - and, often, the capital - to understand where we are and to make the best of it.
An article in my book Albatross 0-595-19418-4 discusses attitudes to unemployment.

I'd be the first to agree with you. My driving instructor gave me a piece of wisdom many years ago when I was 17 relating to learning to drive and the sorts of people you find behind the wheel of a vehicle but it can be applied to life in general and this scenario too. He told me there are four kinds of drivers (or people) in this world.

1) Active Judicial
2) Passive Judicial
3) Active Injudicial
4) Passive Injudicial

The first category relates to those who are able to judge a situation and to actively react or modify their behaviour according to external influences. If a bus pulls out in front of them, they can accellerate and steer or brake and steer to avoid an accident. They are in control no matter what happens to them.

The second category refers to those who can judge a situation, but don't react or are unwilling to react. They can see the bus is about to hit them, but they just close their eyes, grip the wheel and hope for the best.

The third pertains to those who make decisions, often rashly or impulsively, without being able to appraise a situation or relate circumstance to their decision. 'It's my right of way...if a bus pulls out, its HIS fault!'

The fourth covers the rest...those who can't evaluate events and conditions and don't react or take any notice. 'Bus? What bus? More pain relief please Doctor.'

The denizens of Category One are the acheivers and the do-ers. They make their voice heard when necessary (by participation, voting, action, etc.) but are able to adapt. If circumstances change, they are able to change with them. Category Two are the ones who can evaluate life's events and situations but don't do anything about it. They may make correct inferences or hold valid opinions, but are not the type to put anything into practice. 'We know whats wrong with the world...but let's not rock the boat!' Category Three are the 'blamers'. They can't make decisions for themselves, but are happy to blame their woes on the economy, the President, Tony Blair, Saddam Hussein or the management. Whatever may be wrong with the world, the job, my career, the Welfare System...'It's not my fault!'. Category Four don't know and don't care. They blindly play the cards they are dealt. If everything is fine, great. If not, surely someone will pick up the pieces for me?

The best people (in terms of success, achievement, survival or whatever) fall into Category One. The rest plod along, make a lot of noise, or just can't be bothered!

achieve and be successful or live contently smelling the roses? Almost everyone I've met or know who is very successful have their noses in the air that they are better than everyone else and constantly worry how to get more rather than be content with the great things that they accumulated. These people tend to live short lives due to stress, failed marriages, and substance abuse. Granted they live for the moment like it was their last which is admirable but every decision is based on advancement not happiness. They marry for money, hang around people that can do things for them, and are extremly fake individuals. I have known many people that are down to earth and put more importance on the simple things constantly content with family friends as their wealth. These people live longer due to stress free attitude living a full life. Success doesnt equal happiness but it sure can buy some happiness :)
I'm not a parent but I wonder when I have children would I instruct them to be successful financially or search for their own success in happiness?
The point of complaining is to voice a need for change or a problem. Yes it can be tiring and annoying but everyone complains about something, just ask your spouse. You are in control of yourself to a point, but we have leaders and laws that restrict options to a promising future, just ask a single mom rasing her children off minimum wage with a deadbeat dad not helping. Her options are limited despite her positive outlook. If nobody voiced an opinion or complained would anybody get off their *** and make a change?