28-04-2011, 10:41 PM
Hi Chris,
Yes, your experience (30 years + in I.T.) matches mine very closely.
Although I started off as a youngster in the late 1960's (radio & electronics R & D), I soon moved into (what later became known as) "I.T." simply because the wages were a vast improvement on the pittance I was then being paid in my Government job. Then followed 30 hectic years spread out over about 6 companies, as firms were merged, sold, did management buy-outs - or simply went bust. Jobs varied from bench technician to field engineer to specialist technical support and technical training manager. And it was that last-named role that I enjoyed the most: lots of international travel plus the teaching component - which I have always enjoyed. In the year 2003, I was made redundant yet again, but I could see that my accumulated experience and (predominately) hardware knowledge were now worth very little. Although I did seriously try my hand at computer programming, I just did not feel happy with it, especially C++ :@. Eventually, things went full circle and I landed a job back in the Radio Industry - which lasted until the recession kicked in a few years back, when the firm folded.
And I've been unemployed ever since - although I do do several 'one-offs' now and again to earn a few £ and also provide admin. support to the wife's business.
Looking back, I can honestly say that when I left college, the Plan was nothing like it actually turned out to be. I can only surmise that we are in far less control of our destinies than we like to think we are, although in fairness, things could have been a lot worse: most of my life in I.T. was reasonably well-paid & fun - whilst it lasted.
Al.
Yes, your experience (30 years + in I.T.) matches mine very closely.
Although I started off as a youngster in the late 1960's (radio & electronics R & D), I soon moved into (what later became known as) "I.T." simply because the wages were a vast improvement on the pittance I was then being paid in my Government job. Then followed 30 hectic years spread out over about 6 companies, as firms were merged, sold, did management buy-outs - or simply went bust. Jobs varied from bench technician to field engineer to specialist technical support and technical training manager. And it was that last-named role that I enjoyed the most: lots of international travel plus the teaching component - which I have always enjoyed. In the year 2003, I was made redundant yet again, but I could see that my accumulated experience and (predominately) hardware knowledge were now worth very little. Although I did seriously try my hand at computer programming, I just did not feel happy with it, especially C++ :@. Eventually, things went full circle and I landed a job back in the Radio Industry - which lasted until the recession kicked in a few years back, when the firm folded.
And I've been unemployed ever since - although I do do several 'one-offs' now and again to earn a few £ and also provide admin. support to the wife's business.
Looking back, I can honestly say that when I left college, the Plan was nothing like it actually turned out to be. I can only surmise that we are in far less control of our destinies than we like to think we are, although in fairness, things could have been a lot worse: most of my life in I.T. was reasonably well-paid & fun - whilst it lasted.
Al.
