Anyone ever successfully gotten *out* of IT?

[CS1983]

Anyone here ever decided they didn't want to do IT anymore and gotten out of it into something they actually enjoyed and still paid the bills?

Been in IT now for 5 years. Went from Service Desk to Desktop Support (I actually enjoyed this since I *fixed* things) to Network to Cybersecurity in a rapid succession. I was hungry.

I just don't care anymore. I don't make anything that I can point to at the end of the day. I don't care about the meetings, "mission", or the endless seeking after what is basically just a giant waste of time and bureaucratic kabuki theater. Pretty fed up with the lack of remote/telecommute yet *still* doing geographically diverse meetings and remotely logging into devices. I don't mind being onsite if it's actually necessary, but I pretty much hate it when it's not (and I know it's not). Maybe it's because I've been in the Energy (oil/gas) and DoD sectors my entire time in IT. Maybe private sector is better. I certainly enjoyed my time more in the private sector when working for an energy company.

Saw Roto-Rooter has it where an apprentice can make up to 55k/yr, trending up from there. That would be a significant paycut but might be interesting. Always been interested in Carpentry. Not into the idea of Electrical. Not sure about welding. I despise Unions.

Just kicking around ideas.

Open to your thoughts.

Thanks.

[Irving]

I had this same dilemma about a decade ago trying to get out of insurance. I thought I wanted to be a cop so I applied to a couple of places. Fortunately I realized that was a terrible idea.

I also kicked around the idea of learning a trade. Like you I don't like the idea of unions and quickly saw how they force you to take a back seat to everyone in front of you, so that never went anywhere either.

I'm still in the same industry, but now I'm a contractor with more days off than on, so I at least have the occasional time to pursue whatever is my fancy at the moment. I feel the same way about corporate life as you do. I guess this isn't that helpful of a post, but I can say that I went through the same thing and best of luck.

[CS1983]

I had this same dilemma about a decade ago trying to get out of insurance. I thought I wanted to be a cop so I applied to a couple of places. Fortunately I realized that was a terrible idea.

I also kicked around the idea of learning a trade. Like you I don't like the idea of unions and quickly saw how they force you to take a back seat to everyone in front of you, so that never went anywhere either.

I'm still in the same industry, but now I'm a contractor with more days off than on, so I at least have the occasional time to pursue whatever is my fancy at the moment. I feel the same way about corporate life as you do. I guess this isn't that helpful of a post, but I can say that I went through the same thing and best of luck.

Have Van, Will travel?

[Irving]

That's certainly the game this year.

[izzy]

If you figure it out let me know.

[Mazin]

If you figure it out let me know.

^ me too please

[Little Dutch]

If you figure it out let me know.

Me too.
My plan was to marry a doctor. Unfortunately I married a veterinarian, so I’ll still be working 2 days after I’ve died...

[Gman]

If you figure it out let me know.

This.

I figure I'm too far along to stop now. I've been doing it for 30 years and have about another 10 to go. My body is broken, so nothing physical or on my feet all day is an option.

I'm currently trying to get a gig at a much smaller company doing a wider range of things. I'm less interested in the money (to a point), but I want it to be a good 'fit'. I did the Fortune 500 sweat shop thing for 20 years and am happier since I got out of there. I miss many of the people I worked with, but don't miss running with my hair on fire.

[Ramsker]

This.

I figure I'm too far along to stop now. I've been doing it for 30 years and have about another 10 to go. My body is broken, so nothing physical or on my feet all day is an option.

I'm currently trying to get a gig at a much smaller company doing a wider range of things. I'm less interested in the money (to a point), but I want it to be a good 'fit'. I did the Fortune 500 sweat shop thing for 20 years and am happier since I got out of there. I miss many of the people I worked with, but don't miss running with my hair on fire.

I'm kind of in this boat . . . hit 20 years at the same company this year (sort of--we've done some acquiring and been acquired) and it's kind of the "golden handcuffs" situation. I was a manager (sales operations & quasi-IT-related) up until a couple years ago when things got nutty with being acquired and a gigantic chitstorm of a project that I was neck-deep in all at the same time that my dad was cratering from Alzheimer's and mom needed a lot of help. I resigned once teling my boss it just wasn't worth the brain damage & stress anymore and he talked me out of it. A few months later it wasn't any better and I told him I wanted to move to individual contributor or I was leaving. So that's where I've been.

It's been "better" like that but it's getting a bit stupid again . . . company is like a head with its chicken cut off most of the time. But with the pay being what it is and great benefits--and the pandemic--its just not an advisable time to jump unless something comes out of the blue. Probably just try to bank as much as possible for as long as I can stand it and hopefully downshift into semi-retirement in the next 5 years. Maybe find something part time just for basic spending to minimize dipping into other funds.

I dunno. Weird place to be. My wife says I just need to transition to "quit and stay" mode . . . don't kill yourself and do just enough to not get RIF'd. I'm trying to care a lot less, but I'm just not wired that way.

[crays]

I'm kind of in this boat . . . hit 20 years at the same company this year (sort of--we've done some acquiring and been acquired) and it's kind of the "golden handcuffs" situation. I was a manager (sales operations & quasi-IT-related) up until a couple years ago when things got nutty with being acquired and a gigantic chitstorm of a project that I was neck-deep in all at the same time that my dad was cratering from Alzheimer's and mom needed a lot of help. I resigned once teling my boss it just wasn't worth the brain damage & stress anymore and he talked me out of it. A few months later it wasn't any better and I told him I wanted to move to individual contributor or I was leaving. So that's where I've been.

It's been "better" like that but it's getting a bit stupid again . . . company is like a head with its chicken cut off most of the time. But with the pay being what it is and great benefits--and the pandemic--its just not an advisable time to jump unless something comes out of the blue. Probably just try to bank as much as possible for as long as I can stand it and hopefully downshift into semi-retirement in the next 5 years. Maybe find something part time just for basic spending to minimize dipping into other funds.

I dunno. Weird place to be. My wife says I just need to transition to "quit and stay" mode . . . don't kill yourself and do just enough to not get RIF'd. I'm trying to care a lot less, but I'm just not wired that way.

^^^Very similar here, but I'm at 25yrs and too young to retire (i.e; access funds w/out penaties). I agree that it's not a great time to "start fresh", but maybe there are actually more opportunities out there right now due to all the hoohah going on.