What do you do for a living?

[Cvrk]

I'm 37 years old and I have no idea what em I doing with my life. I have no direction. I tried many jobs, but no carrier. Right now I work as a junior networking technician. Basically many cables and holes in the wall with minimum hardware configuration. In the long term...who knows how many years I can keep doing this.

Maybe you guys are more successful. We will love to hear your great success stories. But maybe you are just like me. And since we don't have a face, there is no shame. If you also suck at life at my age, come and tell your story and share how you make your money.
You experience for me and for the rest will be for sure a learning curve.

 

[phanbuey]

I'm running a technology team at a healthcare company.

Currently at a successful point, but these things do come and go.

Also didn't know what I wanted to do either until probably 32 or so and cycled through a lot of jobs (had the power shut off for non payment a few times during 2009 dump - was fun) but I stuck in the same industry (healthcare) across all my jobs and roles - this really helped lessen the wasting time aspect of jumping around.

I accidentally found out that if you do bounce jobs keeping to the same industry (oil, legal, retail, night clubs etc.) and you will naturally start becoming more valuable. The jumping actually starts becoming a huge asset because you know all the pieces in that vertical. All of the sudden you know exactly how bill collecting works as the tech guy and it's massive advantage. Multiclassing IRL.

Let's say you're wiring clubs or hotels, stick though those and all of the sudden you will be the "hotel guy etc." - especially if you can do the full end to end network setup and you know what they do and what the door guy needs. All of the sudden the referrals and the calls start and you're in high demand.

never too late

Also depends on market -- it's way easier to build in places with demand. no demand = gotta move.

 

[Vayra86]

I accidentally found out that if you do bounce jobs keeping to the same industry (oil, legal, retail, night clubs etc.) and you will naturally start becoming more valuable. The jumping actually starts becoming a huge asset because you know all the pieces in that vertical. All of the sudden you know exactly how bill collecting works as the tech guy and it's massive advantage. Multiclassing IRL.

So much this. Learn on the job, take that knowledge with you and switch when the new knowledge in a company runs dry, its how I roll too now. The value of experience keeps building, because beyond the basic technical know-how, what you need most is knowing how the sector/industry works to really deliver solutions that fit the bill; and more specifically, how companies tend to operate within an industry. That combination of skills and knowledge/experience is real value.

Also, what you need to learn to avoid is how to become known as the expert on a subject you don't like. Don't find yourself doing all the shitty stuff one day just because people said how great you did it and kept giving you more. Keep the initiative on that, to keep the D&D references going

On the topic question... I'm a product engineer within the finance/insurance business, IT consultancy so I get assignments at clients that last 1-2 years or longer. Seen almost every major insurer in the country now

Other general tips for success:
- get good at something, as in, truly get the full understanding of how stuff works, to the point where you can get philosophical about it. A great self test for that is to explain someone how a thing works as simply as possible. If you can get the point across to someone who knows nothing, you have mastery. In other words, become a teacher, not a student. Also on the technical side: if you can't explain how a thing works, you probably need to simplify it further, because it'll be horror to maintain.
- be visible when you need to be, and don't be in the way at other moments. This means pick your battles, but don't avoid them either if they need to be fought. This is a big one in my line of work as product design is an unholy marriage of different viewpoints and stakeholders that don't get along. If you can direct that process and its politics, because it happens everywhere in IT landscapes... you've got yourself a manager/project lead or at least senior-kind of role in no time. I'm moving there at this time. The longer I work in IT, the more I get the impression the job is 80% talking and perhaps 20% code, of which the larger part is design.

 

[Steevo]

I concur, if you like IT stuff do it and keep learning. Being able to see how it all connects, the big picture, is very valuable.

 

[bobbybluz]

Very happily retired. I still play live gigs as a musician, do A/V production and PC repair when I feel like it.

 

[phanbuey]

Very happily retired. I still play live gigs as a musician, do A/V production and PC repair when I feel like it.

The dream

 

[Tatty_Two]

I am 63, I was fortunate to retire at 60, worked for 42 years, only had 2 jobs in all that time, British military (soldier and latterly officer) for 27.5 years followed by 14.5 years as a Regional manager for a large national youth charity.

 

[TheoneandonlyMrK]

Loads of ways so far, I am a engineer but I've worked in shop's, and all sorts of things, none of which were glamorous, fun or extremely well paid.

At the moment I am a Test engineer with repetition being the norm, so I feel your pain, I choose to be positive about it , you have to IMHO.

I might have done a YouTube channel in my youth but now I can't because I look like this anyway.

I see myself as a professional. Benchmarker, I hit to within 1% on part per million scales repeatedly over days and on various instruments or I fix it and make it happen so others can make science happen.

But after a whole day today testing many parts on one machine it is still a bit dull, still Newquay this weekend stay off the road Saturday please people.

 

[Devon68]

Kind of in the same boat as OP. I'm 35, Dont really know what I want but would like it to be IT related. I'm working as a factory worker for 9+ years I wont lie kind of sick of doing the same thing day in day out.

 

[oxrufiioxo]

Just turned 40. I'm a nurse only have to work every other weekend because my wife makes a lot of money. In the process of building my second house, life's pretty good. I might be able to retire in the next 4-5 years although I'll likely work at least once a month to keep up my skills/license. I've worked in healthcare for 20 years at this point tech is just a hobby.

 

[Sithaer]

I'm also in a similar situation as the OP at 34, worked various kind of jobs but nothing really stuck with me.
I've been a factory worker mainly and a few years ago I've worked at a local historical dig site which I've actually liked/found interesting even tho it wasn't that easy physically but at least it kept me in a good shape huh.

Ever since the covid lockdowns hit my county I've been working a home part time job in our garage, basically a factory job just from home.
In short I'm making small parts for other machines or whatever the hell they use them for. 'I'm not even making the minimum wage btw, it pays based on how many I make so if I'm sick or take some days off then I get nothing for that..'

I wasn't planning to do this job for this long but eh idk it just stuck with me but I really want something new cause its kinda driving me crazy and its also a lonely job on my own. 'hey at least I can watch dumb TV shows meanwhile I work'

Other reason for all that is because of where I'm from, sadly if I really wanted to change my life around I would have to move cause my options are very limited around here. 'its factory on factory here, thats all you get or work in a shop/do physical labor kind of work'

 

[freeagent]

I am a stunt cock for a major adult movie firm..

Just kidding, I am a skilled grunt, I work with metal.

 

[Frick]

I accidentally found out that if you do bounce jobs keeping to the same industry (oil, legal, retail, night clubs etc.) and you will naturally start becoming more valuable. The jumping actually starts becoming a huge asset because you know all the pieces in that vertical. All of the sudden you know exactly how bill collecting works as the tech guy and it's massive advantage. Multiclassing IRL.

At first I read that as oil, legal, retail and nights clubs being the same industry and it was entertaining.

I'm 37 years old and I have no idea what em I doing with my life. I have no direction. I tried many jobs, but no carrier. Right now I work as a junior networking technician. Basically many cables and holes in the wall with minimum hardware configuration. In the long term...who knows how many years I can keep doing this.

Maybe you guys are more successful. We will love to hear your great success stories. But maybe you are just like me. And since we don't have a face, there is no shame. If you also suck at life at my age, come and tell your story and share how you make your money.
You experience for me and for the rest will be for sure a learning curve.

Define "success". "Success" to me is just having a job, any job, because I spent a very long time on some kind of government assistance (mental health related) and full on poverty (as defined by where I live). Any job is better than no job. Also I work to live instead of live to work. Do something creative.

Anyway, I ... pack and build very specific things, mostly (furniture for retail shops). I'm good at it, which is a nice feeling.

 

[A Computer Guy]

I'm 37 years old and I have no idea what em I doing with my life. I have no direction. I tried many jobs, but no carrier. Right now I work as a junior networking technician. Basically many cables and holes in the wall with minimum hardware configuration. In the long term...who knows how many years I can keep doing this.

Maybe you guys are more successful. We will love to hear your great success stories. But maybe you are just like me. And since we don't have a face, there is no shame. If you also suck at life at my age, come and tell your story and share how you make your money.
You experience for me and for the rest will be for sure a learning curve.

You have a job and that's a plus. You have identified an issue in your life and that is a plus. Now you need to put a plan into action that solves your issue to realize your unlimited potential.

 

[Lew Zealand]

At 29 I left behind > a decade of training as a scientist for a passel of reasons, none of them because I don't like science or the scientific process. I needed to see more people... it's not you, it's me.

So I work in IT, specializing in customer service. Get the professional people face time I need and my filthy hands on hardware in between, with no official qualifications as I'm self-taught. Of course those science decades helped but I've very lucky to be working for a college which buffers against the vagaries of the market even as it pays less than other places.

Don't be afraid to toss it all away if you find you need something different, but maybe financially plan a bit for that inevitable downtime.

 

[DAPUNISHER]

My answer when people ask what I do for a living: As little as possible. I only worked for corporate overlords 5yrs total in my life. Self employed the rest. Retired fully at 52 when the pandemic broke out. Worked a total of 4yrs out of the last 25. Time is your only currency, remember that. No one is on their deathbed saying they wish they worked more.

 

[Why_Me]

Pipe corrosion tech in the oil patch here in Alaska and every now and then at the mines.

 

[error1984]

I have nothing to say really...im an astronaut and I'm waiting for my 3rd space expedition mission. I've been on the Moon,Mars and now my crew is preparing for the big one - the Sun. It will take some time to go there and back. I will sent some pictures after our successful "landing" Wish us luck.

 

[Gumby]

Cnc operator currently.... Lots of warehouse jobs in the past. Office work is not for me can't sit still.....

 

[Lost_Troll]

When I was in Vocational School, I worked with my cousin as Mechanic, Rigger, Welder on the weekends and through the summers. Once I graduated, I worked for an engine rebuilding shop and then went on to start my own auto repair shop. I did that until I was 23 and got burned out from trying to do too much at a too fast of a pace (I made a hobby into a job).

So, then I took a repair shop foreman job with a large truck rental company and had to move in the process. I worked there for 1 year and wound up falling into the Job I have now as a PCB/Mechanical Design Engineer at a small aerospace company for the last 30 years.

 

[freeagent]

can't sit still.....

I am a CNC Operator too, cant sit still lol you picked the perfect job

 

[Gumby]

Lol.... Ya some days are rough though....

 

[68Olds]

I retired a couple years ago. I went to a vocational tech school for HVAC. I spent about 40 years working on air conditioners, controls and building automation systems in commercial office buildings. My rotator cuffs and lower back are happy I'm not doing that anymore.

 

[Psychoholic]

almost 15 years as a SAN Storage Engineer, Which branches off into just about everything because almost everything touches storage.
For me, being in IT kind of killed my enthusiasm of "Tech as a hobby" well maybe not killed but definitely knocked it down a notch or three.

 

[Dr. Dro]

Similar to you OP, just turned 30. I'm in law school, though have been on a bit of a hiatus in the past year since the end of Covid. My dream is to work as a family judge, helping broken families mend and ensuring that those who are left out have a place to call home and don't stray towards a dark, criminal path. Only by wielding the power of the state would I ever be able to do that, but it's quite the journey until I am able to reach that point, if I ever can. Much of a geek that I am, it's really just my hobby and pastime, I have little interest in pursuing tech professionally.

I'm hoping I can wrap up, take our OAB exam (which is similar to the BAR examination in the United States) and graduate until the end of 2025, should be possible, all things considered. My median grade on a scale from 0 to 10 is 7.42 apparently, which is surprisingly high for a guy that hasn't dedicated himself to his studies nearly as much as he should, first world problem that I can and will rectify, really.

Family owns a few business properties which we rent out, so we mostly live off that income. I manage a small investment fund of my own, it's nothing I could really live off - but thankfully the assets are generally on the rise, so it'll do nicely for a rainy day.

I'm thankful I can live an easy going life, at least for now. I could be way worse off... I should be thankful that the only ghosts I have to deal with are my own. Thread was nice for a reflection, cheers mate.