getting too comfortable with my current job

[moskhan2]

Hi
Just want to get other opinions on my current situation. I did my BS, MS in Comp. Sc. & Engg. and I have been working as an Application Developer (C and Unix) for 2.5 yrs now.

In the past few months, I realized that I have lost a lot of my hunger for new experiences. It feels like I have accepted what I am doing in life and everything around me is no longer an excitement, but a habit.

I have seen other people pursue MBA/PMP degrees and other certifications. I am thinking of doing the same, hoping that this would lead to better things. But I am hesitant since this would be a costly experiment. Pls advise.

 

[SantaMufasa]

Moskhan,

If I were in your position, I would apply classic "Systems Development Methodology" analysis:[ul][li]Identify (Business) need.[/li][li]Identify unconstrainted resolution alternatives.[/li][li]Identify risks of each alternative and the accompanying management methods for each risk.[/li][li]Attribute costs to each alternative, including risk management.[/li][li]Apply (cost and personal) constraints to each alternative.[/li][li]Choose an alternative.[/li][/ul]

I'm sure we (forum participants) would be happy to be a sounding board for you as you proceed through the above steps...You are welcome to post your findings here.

Mufasa
(aka Dave of Sandy, Utah, USA)
[I provide low-cost, remote Database Administration services: www.dasages.com]
“Beware of those that seek to protect you from harm or risk. The cost will be your freedoms and your liberty.”

 

[RiverGuy]

First, talk to friends who work in IT at other places. You cannot always equate a job title or degree across different companies or departments. If you're doing a lot of heads down programming and it's getting boring, then talk to someone who does systems design and development somewhere else. There's many different types of developer roles and responsibilities--ranging from "translate these technical requirements to code" to "help us architect and develop a system to meet this critical business need."

Also talk to people who are in project management roles at different places and see if this is something you would want to do. I'm always for obtaining more education, however if the sole purpose is to be more engaged at work, there could very well be opportunities out there to move on which wouldn't require any more monetary investment.

 

[ousoonerjoe]

One of the things I have found that really help with the 'burn out' you mention is diversifying your duties. My main tasks are developing, but I also assist with the Help Desk and trouble tickets at times. It changes up your day. You'll rarely do the same thing twice. It's a nice break from bang'n on the keyboard like some code monkey. It also is something you can add to your resume as it shows others that you are willing to branch out and no job is below your expertise or above your reach or willingness to learn. Not to mention, the on-the-job training is free and doesn't cost anything other than time and maybe a book or two (which the company typically will purchase). Who knows, you might find another area you like more than coding which in turn will minimize the expense of your "costly experiment."

Just another option to look at.

--------------------------------------------------
"...and did we give up when the Germans bombed Pearl Harbor? NO!"

"Don't stop him. He's roll'n."
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[DonQuichote]

When I wondered where my kicks could be, I became a web developer. There's enough satisfaction in building applications that are friendly to users and not helpful to hackers. Especially on the web, there's a lot you should know about and about how it can be compromised...

+++ Despite being wrong in every important aspect, that is a very good analogy +++
Hex (in Darwin's Watch)

 

[SQLSister]

Don't go for those things unless you want to be a manager. Otherwise you are wasting you time and possibly pricing yourself out of the jobs you might enjoy. Too much education can be a deterrent to getting hired.

Decide what kind of work you want to pursue and then get qualified for it if you aren't. But don't willy nilly go back to school because you are currently bored. If you know what will excite you (and believe me management can be downright not exciting - think hours and hours of tedious meetings and dealing with personnel problems, etc.), then you would not be asking the question. Random education is a bad idea.

Accept that there are times when all of us have boring things to do at work and it isn't a bad thing just a normal thing.



"NOTHING is more important in a database than integrity." ESquared

 

[moskhan2]

thanks for the feedback guys.

Just fyi, I am planning on following SantaMufasa's and RiverGuys's suggestions. I have decided to talk with my friends in other places and see what interests me before jumping ahead for further education.

Dear SQLSister, thanks for reality check. Now that I think about it for the first 2 years I had been absorbing all the knowledge like a sponge. There had to be a time (regardless of how boring) when I had to show what I had learnt. Even if that meant doing the same stuff again.

One of my friends recommended that I write down on a piece of paper how my work benefits my project or my clients. That will give purpose to my work and hopefully will make me more enthusiastic about it. I intend to following his advice.

Today, I also followed OuSoonerJoe's suggestion. I volunteered to take over 2 other small tasks and boy did I feel rejuvenated.

once again, thx guys
moskhan2