Career crossroad

myafai

Hi all,

I'm at the end of my tether and I've been constantly avoiding bringing this up with the missus as she has enough on her plate. So I've not had the chance to talk to anyone who will understand or bounce idea's off so thought I'd try this forum and see if any kind people respond with their experiences or opinions.

I work in IT and all people in IT or Technology (probably engineering too) at some point in their life will have to make the decision to either remain in a technical career path or follow a managerial career path?

After working in IT as a Techie/Lead/Architect for 9+ years I believe I've reached a point where I've realised that my technical opinion is being outweighed by others and this is perhaps because I no longer have an interest in technology and so info is not holding-up anymore. I've not been happy in my role for quite a time but it's only when I sat down and reflected over all this that I made the decision to not follow a technical path anymore.

I look around and truly envy those that can just ignore reflecting their roles/jobs and just carry on coasting in life/work (why can't I just be like that). Unfortunately for me I'm not wired that way...don't get wrong I'm no high-flying fast-tracking monster and have no intention of ruling the world. I just want to be productive doing something I enjoy...

This is not about money or job security it's more about job satisfaction and choosing a career path that is right for me and will work for me in years to come. I weighed up alot of Pros/Cons of management vs technical but at the end of it all I think I've come to the conclusion that regardless of the role or route a person chooses, they don't need to be perfect at one or the other. I do think, however, it requires commitment.

Has anyone gone through anything similar? Did you make the jump and are you happier for doing so?

Thanks
Mo

directdebiter

Have you considered contracting? This can generate good income and give you constant new challenges and exposure to lots of companies which may help to define where you want to go? And mean you dont get bored. Contracting in IT offers lots of opportunities.

myafai

Thanks directdebiter, contracting did cross my mind but its not the company that is boring me its my current job role. I just seem to have gradually lost interest in it but only suddenly have come to realise this

Ivana_B_Rich

myafai wrote: »

I work in IT and all people in IT or Technology (probably engineering too) at some point in their life will have to make the decision to either remain in a technical career path or follow a managerial career path?

I do think you are right about this, for me it's an easy decision as I have absolutely no interest in people management and all the problems that go with that kind of role.

myafai wrote: »

Has anyone gone through anything similar? Did you make the jump and are you happier for doing so?

Thanks
Mo

Sorry, no really great advice from me. I did a short time as a manager and hated it. If you are no longer driven by the technical roles it could be worth a go for your long term happiness

Voyager2002

You could train for something totally different... have you ever considered being an Anglican vicar? It would mean a pay cut in the short term, but the pension plan is just out of this world!

mgdavid

I was tech in IT also - datacentre ops, then networks and comms to consultant level, then switched to project management in the mid-90s with the same company. Good mix of management ( resources mostly, the people bit is only short-term and task-oriented, not performance or pay-and-rations) and you still need the tech knowledge to ask the right questions. Of course it only suits if you are a good planner, well organised and have a good eye for detail. Being a pedant actually helps for once! I really did enjoy it, although don't miss it one tiny bit having just retired.

myafai

@Ivana - thanks for your honest opinion.

@Voyager2002 - lol@Anglican Vicar - I'll be charged with gross misconduct within a week. Either that or I'll corrupt the whole place.

@mgdavid - Pls don't brag about retirement you'll send half the readers into a spiraling depression lol. On serious note though that's the sort of route I was thinking about. What made you decide to give up the techie world behind? Did you miss it?

Caroline_a

I was asked this very same question by a friend of mine around 7 years ago. My advice was that he went the management route. He did, and despite it being more stressful (people management isn't always easy!) he loved it, earned more money and is now doing really well.

However, I gave that advice on the basis that I knew him, and knew the organisation - you may be different!