Unemployed....Again. BCS?

[DoubleK]

Well I find myself unemployed again and would love to entertain and pick some of your brains that are in the IT trenches everyday.

I have a very strong manufacturing and assembly background that is of a very technical nature.

16 years:

Lear : Leading global supplier of automotive seating systems, electrical distribution systems and electronics

5 months:

Dresser, Inc.

Needless to say outside of high school jobs and the Army these are the only two I have worked (I am 37).

I am in the process of rebooting my life now that the wife is out of school. I know one thing! I am sick of being laid off. Frankly I am sick of manufacturing.

I enjoy the prospect of small business but realize how cut throat the pc repair business has become. However I have an excellent business model but refuse to "legitimize" myself because of overhead.

Quite frankly I am pondering how many more doors I can open by getting my Bachelors in Computer Sciences from the University of Wisconsin and if I would be happy sitting at a desk all day.

Wisconsin has some GREAT benefits (free tuition) for veterans of foreign wars.....................

School? Make a stab at small business?

HELP! Is this a mid life crisis?

[jak]

Im working down in Houston. Houston wasn't hit as hard as the rest of the nation with the recession. Its a corporate environment, which has more downs than ups. But it is a steady IT job and I don't foresee any Systems Administrators layoffs anytime soon as we are understaffed as is.

Lots of IT work to be had in Houston, Dallas, and possibly San Antonio

[DoubleK]

Do you generally enjoy being a systems administrator?

From the sounds of it you are understaffed. I love overtime personally as long as it is not mandatory. Generally these positions tend to be salaried and in most circumstances work ot at a seriously reduced rate of pay?

If your employer went to hell in a hand basket tomorrow could you pick up and easily find employment elsewhere?

[nemowolf]

Well I find myself unemployed again and would love to entertain and pick some of your brains that are in the IT trenches everyday.

School? Make a stab at small business?

HELP! Is this a mid life crisis?

So here is the thing ... If you dont mind school do it. Nothing worse then regretting that you never went back to school. Trust me, im 27 and i hate the fact that i may never get the chance to go to college.

Personally, if you think there is a client base for a small business there might be good money but the problem most people have when starting out on their own is that they either overspend at the start and/or don't have the client base to really afford to stay in business.


If i had the opportunity i would go to college.

[jak]

Im taking the RHCE exam first week of April. Having a RHCE certificate will help with job placement should the owner decide to go to hell in a hand basket. RHCE is a bit diff than most certifications as it is hands on exam, meaning that if you manage to join the 10% passing rate (90% fail the first time) then you have pretty good job security. Don't confuse this with paper tigers though, those types are easily weeded out of the job market (paper tiger is referring to individuals who fill their resume with nothing but " I have A+ certification, etc" that do not really qualify for the job).

The stress is high in systems administration and you are right, the expectation of a salaried sysadmin is to work until all problems are solved for the day, so although it mandates at least 8 hours per day 5 days a week, i find myself studying and working more than that. However, working for a large corp typically includes health benefits, so i count my blessings in that regard.

I too wish I finished school, planning on going to school in the evenings and keeping my job to finish up my degree. Some small businesses can be managed in your "not so free" time at home. I like the idea of having job security to pay the bills working "for the man" but then keep something small for yourself at home to work on, and heck if it makes it big, you can give your employer your 2 weeks and roll with it.

[DoubleK]

I couldn't agree more Nemo, regret is a terrible thing and I appreciate your candor.

However being intelligent and book smart are two different things. There are alot of variables in running a legitimate small business with the amount of legislation on the books to ensure that one cannot modestly grow their enterprise without becoming consumed by compliance thus distracting them from what made them successful to begin with. I have actually gone to a couple of small business association meetings here locally and have been somewhat exposed to what our local businesses have to endure. It seems daunting at least here in Wisconsin.

Understandably there comes a time when a person is seeking advice of others real world experiences and I doubt that there are many people here at Techimo in a similiar circumstance. Possibly 10% at best and how many will read this thread?

I ponder if I would be better served specifically targeting the pay I expect in regards to the type of work I want to do?

Time to hop on monster I guess.

Nemo in my experience you can do whatever you want to in life unless you limit yourself with excuses.

I am 37 with a 6 year old and another on the way. My wife just graduated last May. If I didn't have her and the kids I could live on campus or a cheap rented room and devote 4/6 years of my life to a better education.

Since I have her, it is her turn to take care of daddy but imagine how stressed I will be attempting to struggle through calculus with kids screaming and hopped up on SpongeBob and fruit juice?

My point is when there is a will there is a way otherwise regret and failure is the path you chose.

Jak I would love to hear back from you on your System Administrator job. This is the career I would be most interested in. Jak of all trades and master of none really correct?

The thought of sitting around all day programming frightens me and what is left of my sanity. I most enjoy the hands on.

Whats the chance of a schmuck with a Bachelors in computer science landing a Sys Admin job with ZERO experience in the wild?

What are some additional activities above and beyond the schooling (accreditation's) that ensure continued employment?

[DoubleK]

Well unfortunately not to many brains to pick here. I guess the rest of the world is to busy working Rub it in.

I have settled on obtaining my Bachelors in Computer Sciences. I say settled as nothing else truly interests me besides working, collecting a paycheck, taking vacations, eating, drinking and playing video games. Ok OK, maybe a little Ka-Slup-A-Gus in there somewhere

Realistically I know that I will not be able to make the yearly wage I have been comfortable making the last 16 years without more school as manufacturing has all but dried up around here.

The tech school offers VERY slim pickings here and with unemployment and mass layoffs even the unappealing an sub-standard wage programs have 1-3 years waits.

Seems not to many working folk are interested in College however. Apparently the quicker route.

I am going in! Wish me luck!

Now if I could just find an online physics and calculus tutor I will be set