Life after a technical career.... [Archive]

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tvenhaus

01-27-2006, 10:14 AM

Ok... so I realize that I have to be careful with this post. I have been fortunate enough to have found myself in a really good career as a technical consultant. I work for a good company, and my compensation is better than I expected it could be this early in my career. Still... something is missing.

When I chose my major in college, I chose what I was good at (Computer Engineering) instead of what I enjoyed, and I have continued that trend throughout my career. Now, I don't even know what I really want to do, but I know I'm not doing it now.

Most people would call me crazy for wanting to leave a good and stable job, but I really want to enjoy my work. My question to everyone out there is...

What type of career(s) can a 'technical' guy pursue when he is sick of technology?

Thanks for your input!

jdt141

01-27-2006, 11:01 AM

Project Management! But its not as challenging/fun as good CSE stuff. You're quitting! You slacker! :D :twisted: :p

PVD99

01-27-2006, 11:20 AM

Yeah, if you're sick of doing the technical stuff maybe something more high level like project management. However, usually those types of positions are given to people with a lot of experience. How many years do you have?

tvenhaus

01-27-2006, 11:32 AM

PVD99

01-27-2006, 12:47 PM

Yeah, it is very stressful. I know a bunch of PMs and it's just a huge responsibility to take on. Also, if the people under you aren't doing the job it makes it even more stressful.

tdko

01-27-2006, 12:56 PM

Technical writing perhaps?

Is there anything else you're interested in? Any causes, or fields, maybe juggling?

loehrm

01-27-2006, 02:21 PM

Yeah, I'm in the same boat. I did the CS route, landed an awesome job that pays fabulously at an awesome company. The downside?

It's not what I want to do. I'm foregoing the security and stability and just applied to a community college as an art major.

I've never felt better.

tvenhaus

01-27-2006, 02:36 PM

Technical writing perhaps?

Is there anything else you're interested in? Any causes, or fields, maybe juggling?

I can juggle REALLY well... just haven't been able to build a business model around that. :)

tvenhaus

01-27-2006, 02:37 PM

Cole

01-27-2006, 02:45 PM

Have you considered talking to a job or life coach? I know a couple of coaches and one of them specializes in helping people who want to transition into other fields figure out how to make their skills transferrable and what else they might like to do.

tdko

01-27-2006, 02:58 PM

I can juggle REALLY well... just haven't been able to build a business model around that. :)
Hey, don't laugh, but you can always be a professional clown. My uncle does it for a living. He has an agent for acting stuff and big events, but he books all his birthday parties himself. They even have a clown college.

jdt141

01-27-2006, 03:25 PM

For some reason, the term "project management" makes me cringe. Most of the PMs I know are constantly stressed and work crazy hours.

Experience:
3.5 years of valuable internship experience
2 years of post-graduation consulting experience

I was just trying to leverage your existing experiences. If you want your earnings to climb (and that isn't everything) you need to build on what you know. Starting over sets you back, that's all.

I just had a long talk with a friend of mine last night, and she's going to get out of teaching, because she hates it. We agreed that money ISN'T everything, and there isn't anything wrong with starting over if it makes you happy.

That's what you have to find, something that makes you happy. If PM isn't it, but you still want to leverage your techie skills (which you do) you could potentially teach! Teaching is so rewarding, and that's where I'd like to end up someday, at a secondary or university level. There are tons of options out there, just go get 'em! :)

tvenhaus

01-27-2006, 04:39 PM

I was just trying to leverage your existing experiences. If you want your earnings to climb (and that isn't everything) you need to build on what you know. Starting over sets you back, that's all.

I appreciate the comment and insight. I didn't intend to say it was a bad idea... just that it scares me a bit.

That's what you have to find, something that makes you happy. If PM isn't it, but you still want to leverage your techie skills (which you do) you could potentially teach! Teaching is so rewarding, and that's where I'd like to end up someday, at a secondary or university level. There are tons of options out there, just go get 'em! :)

Teaching is definitely on the RADAR. I think my ideal job would be teaching high school calculus and/or physics and being some kind of coach. I know money isn't everything, but that doesn't make it easy to give up the job I have to try to make it on a teacher's salary.

jdt141

01-27-2006, 04:51 PM

I appreciate the comment and insight. I didn't intend to say it was a bad idea... just that it scares me a bit.

well if it scares you, it might be a bad idea for you! :D I didn't think you said it was a bad idea.

MrNCG23

01-27-2006, 11:55 PM

How about asking yourself what you like to do and from there which jobs can use your experience rather than the other way around?

SunDevil

01-28-2006, 12:25 AM

I was in the same position you are in, but after 1 year of 8 hour days looking at a computer in a windowless building, it got really boring. I was able to stay with the same company and got a position that is 25% outdoor work, 75% inside, and I work with happy & fun people, rather than the ones who always complained about not getting paid enough and the hours they worked. Now the days go by so much quicker, and it is easier work (for me at least)

However, I wouldn't mind switching to a job that was 100% outdoors if it was in southern California. :) In college, I worked outdoors and I liked it a lot.

tvenhaus

01-28-2006, 01:34 AM

I was able to stay with the same company and got a position that is 25% outdoor work, 75% inside, and I work with happy & fun people

Is it possible? Does such a job exist? What exactly do you do?

loehrm

01-29-2006, 05:18 PM

Painting/sculpting art? Or stuff like graphic design, with which might be able to combine your CS skills and art?

Congrats on making a good decision for you.

I'm not sure. That's the scary part, but I think the risk is worth it. Basically, I've just got to get started and have faith the path will open itself up to me.

Ultimately, I'd like to end up as an art buyer or an art trader. That's a long ways away. My advice to everyone who is unhappy with their current situation is to live meagerly, build up a decent nest egg. It's much easier to take risks when you have a good chunk of change in the bank.