I swear....

[kHz]

What is the best method of changing careers and finding employment in another professional field?

I have been in IT for 10 years, working a generalist (networking, programming, Unix, Windows, training, business operations, etc.) for 4.5 years and the remainder of my time has been strictly as a Unix admin. I have B.S. and M.S. degrees in business.

I have never thought of management before and always swore that off my plate. However, feeling this knife in me being turned more each day I do this stuff makes me wonder if management (one can always try and if it doesn't work out leave management) would be a course to take. Also, seeing the lack of management where I currently work makes me almost certain I could handle the job in a more effective way. Although, management means managing people and meetings; and I despise meetings as it is and would not like handling petty problems that people seem to make between themselves.

What I do enjoy is research, and have thought of becoming a research analyst.

I have taught before and enjoy that, but in secondary schools the problems these days are much greater than in the past. My sister who teaches, also has two friends who also teach; and both have thought of getting out because of the aforementioned. Post-secondary is competitive, and without a PhD there is no hope for a tenure track positon at a 4-year college. A community college is a possibility, too, for teaching.

Has anyone successfully changed careers before? And what steps did you take and how did you do it? Were you happy with changing careers? Was it as successful, or more successful than you previous career? Why did you change careers?

Thanks for any advice you can give me.

 

[dk87]

I tried it once. Decided to sell photo equipment because photography was my passion. Went well for a few years but working with strangers (I mean Customers) really sucks. I got out of it and went back to IT because I realized that its what I do. Now I never touch a camera. Sold my enlarger and darkroom supplies. Lost my passion. Now I need a new hobby. Know anything about belly button lint collecting?

 

[Dollie]

I think moving up to management would be a good career choice, especially after spending years watching what management shouldn't do.

You might want to look into management classes at a local college, or even for seminars or webinars on management practices. This would just be for additional education when you apply for that top-notch management position.

The best of luck to you! If you want to move on and up, I think you're going in the right direction.

 

[lgarner]

I agree that IT management might be the way to do. That, or focus on some other sought-after aspect of IT that you really like. Leveraging your IT experience should land you at a higher grade than switching careers completely.

Being a Research Analyst might be good (my firm employs more than a few), but in a major career change you must be prepared to be entry-level again.