Which direction...optimum :)-optimum $ 2

[shagymoe]

Systems? Database? Programming? Windows? Linux? Oracle? Perl? VB? C++? Employee? Consultant? Which direction?!

I have a genetic defect that makes me freak about what direction to take next. Couple this with an intense need to exponentially increase pay as quickly as possible (4 kids) and it is enough to drive one drinking. Throw in the realization that the only way to be truly (monetarily) successful is to work for yourself (or get someone to do it for you) and a healthy spoonful of being sick of watching contract companies clear $100/hour while you get $30, and it just gets worse. The cherry on top is knowing 100% for sure that job satisfaction is more important than anything else.

I currently work as a systems administrator in a NT/Oracle/VB environment where my skills are expert/intermediate/huh?….in that order. If I weren't a complicated person my path would be clear…Win 2000 MCSE/OCP/MCSD. However, the aforementioned genetic defect toys with the road signs.

Clearly, entrepreneurial endeavors are the way to go to make the big $. The understanding here is that with a family of 5 making big $ only means keeping your car from being repossessed. So, I've been seriously brainstorming about how to go about doing this. What would be my niche? Since my skills are systems/networking and I really enjoy it, this points the way, but it also points to starting something like ISP/data warehousing/web hosting/dedicated server/colocation/network consulting/installation etc…. As we all know, every week old MCSE is considering the same thing along with a gaggle of companies already doing it…. So…where is the big $ to be made doing what I really enjoy? My research points to nowheresville. Salaries to be had working for someone else in this field top out too low. (Ok, theoretically CCIE's and such break the ceiling, but lets be somewhat realistic.)

Then GOD said, "Let there be database administration"….and it was so. I believe I can still achieve my level of employment happiness going this direction, so long as it is no more than 55 % (or so) of what I do. This bumps the salary level up significantly and seems to be a good option. There is still the problem of working for yourself or someone else. It seems that freelance DBA work is a more viable option than systems/networking, but that would require going to 90% DBA function….now I would be compromising the happiness factor. I can't be totally sure of this because I have not yet operated in this capacity to great depth. My impression though, is that I would not enjoy this quite as much.

Programming. I have not yet turned over this rock, mainly because of focusing on other interests. This is where the real freelance cash is to be had. So, one option would be to keep my day job, learn programming on the side and contract myself out. This will take significantly more effort than increasing my knowledge of the areas in which I am already familiar. However, programming is logic and my bachelors is in mechanical engineering, which requires 6 levels of calculus and various other math/logic based courses. So, I'm confident that I can learn it relatively easily.

Another problem is time. My desire is to spend my time learning the things that are new to me and create a stronger interest. I want to get to know Linux much better and begin to learn programming, but there is only so much time in the day and Linux doesn't pay the bills or have a lot of promise for paying the bills in the near future.

And finally, there is management. <cringe> It is fairly easy to make good $ in IT management, but I know exactly what this is like and have no desire to go there. I want to stay a techie, but make the big $….this is the heart of the dilemma. This is also a problem with freelance/contract/business owner…..you end up doing as much project management/administration as you do techie stuff.

It is clear to me that I have the ability to go just about any direction, which is a nice position to be in, but it causes some stress. Also, if you don't eventually make the hard decision and focus on just one or two areas to improve, you end up being ok at everything and excellent at nothing.

Well, that is my rant, and if anyone out there feels like enlightening me, I am open to suggestions.

 

[pivan]

BIG are associated with BIG $.

Here is what I did...I went with what I liked, I liked it cuz I am good at it, I gave up chasing the money and darn, the money started chasing me.

Have a bourbon, chill, then call the shot.

g'Luck
pivan In not now, when?
If not here, where?
If not us, who?

Just do it!!

 

[butchrecon]

Pivan has a good point. Dont chase the $. Do what you like, get good at it and get educated and certified and gain experience and soon the $ will become easier to attain. James Collins
Computer Hardware Engineer
A+, MCP

email: butchrecon@skyenet.net

 

[mcarboni]

First, my family is big so I know all about the money factor when having many kids!

I have to agree with pivan and butchrecon. Doing something you really enjoy will not only make the money seemingly less important, but will make the money come to you. I believe it is directly tied together. When you like (or love) what you do, you will always be evolving into a better employee, (programmer, sysop, etc.) which will directly lead to more money.

That is the problem with all the boot camp type schools. People think it is all about big money, but you will not be successful unless you care about what you do. They do a dis-service to us all!

I know for a fact it is alot easier to get up every morning and go to a job I enjoy, then to a job where I am just going through the motions.

Maybe it is time to move on a different department, or even company? Maybe there are not any more challenges there for you?

I have fought with what you said in your rant alot myself. I get bored fast and I think I tend to overevaluate what to do with regards to career.

So in closing, I guess I stand behind pivan and butchrecon. Doing a job you like will bring more money!

Sorry for the rant!!!

 

[elizabeth]

If you don't mind a philosophical answer to a material question, here's my long-winded 2 cents.

I'm learning to recognize and work with opportunities as they appear to me, instead of trying to control everything. Trying to control my life with my mind tends to drive me crazy, because life is so complex and uncertain that there never is a final answer. However, when I put my energy into what is already in my life, I tend to recognize opportunities all around me. Verses when I focus on what I don't have (usually 'enough money'), the opportunities always seem to be 'out there' somewhere, and a lot more work! More money always seems to be needed to make me more happy, but in reality what I need is often already in my life, just waiting for me to notice it. Re: supporting the family, I know few adults who wouldn't trade off much of the material comforts of our childhoods for parents who were more relaxed, happy, and available. So my vote is also for &quot;do what you love!&quot;.