Career Change

[manshack_one]

Long story short me and a co-worker were up for the same promotion. She got the job. Once again my bachelors degree has failed me! Anyways, she was previously my supervisor when I first came on board with the state of texas but we reorganized about a year later and we became equals. I can't go back to being her subordinate. I'm about the same age as her son and get treated like one. So, I'm looking for a career change. I'm burned out on tech support anyways. At least in this capacity. I like travel and field work.

Right now our choices are to stay in Crockett TX and I get a job, say for instance, offshore, working rotation. That way we don't have to relocate the family (6 yr old, 4 yr old and 5 month old). I'd probably try to work into a management position hopefully using my degree as an ace in the hole. But if we do relocate we really like the area north of Austin. My aunt lives on Lake Belton and we enjoy every visit. And I've heard Belton is a good school district. I'd probably have to bone up on my programming and try to get a QA job or something.

If anyone has advice or job leads in this respect please chime in. I'm now officially in a dead end job with no chance of promotion for at least another 10 yrs when she retires. And I don't feel like waiting 10 yrs for that extra 500 bucks a month!

[Incubus]

Belton is a nice little town, Robert. I lived there for a couple years a long time ago. Nothing to do, though, except go to Temple or Austin.

If you are already with the state, why not look for another state job? That would mean probably working in Austin, since that's where most of the state jobs are, but I haven't noticed a shortage of postings for computer folks with state agencies.

If you want to move to the Austin area and work for the state, try this link: http://www.texasworkforce.org/jobs/s...ncieswebs.html

It's a page with links to the HR pages and job postings of all the state agencies.

I can empathize. A couple months ago In found myself in a similar position - working for the state in a position that offered no chance of advancement. Unlike you, my sons are grown and in college (on full ride scholarships), so I told my boss the look in his rearview mirror - that figure disappearing into the past is me....

I'm on that page several times a week.

Good luck.

Patrick

[manshack_one]

Thanks for your reply. If I move the family I probably wouldn't stay with the state. Low pay and dead ends around every corner. I'm going to make a few calls to some old buddies and see how they're doing. We like Belton exactly for that reason. It's like living where we are now, but without pine trees.

What agency were you with and what did you end up doing?

[fredintoon]

Hi 'shack,
I was about to post something to the effect that with your family situation you should sit tight and not take risks but WTF, at age 31 with a wife & 2 small daughters in tow I quit my safe job in the UK, got on a plane to Canada and started looking for work.
I did OK and so should you.

[Incubus]

I was with four agencies, at different times. Right now I'm freelancing.

[manshack_one]

Fred that's a strange response as I'm 31 with a wife but only 1 daughter and 2 sons.

I've often thought about just dropping everything and opening up my computer shop. I don't know that there is a lot of competition up around belton. But, either me or my wife will have to get a day job first and belton is 2 hrs from here. It's a catch22. you can't leave because you don't have a job and you don't have a job because you can't leave. I guess that's true no matter what location you're talking about.

[Pat Kelly]

I got layed-off from my 7 year job as a Security Supervisor at a local hospital. For security in my area I was making really good money. I decided to switch careers and am now a truck driver. My income has (at least) doubled. No boss looking over your shoulder. Get the stuff to the customer on time. What you do along the way is up to you.

[manshack_one]

Fred, I just re-read that and I mean strange as in you being the same age as me when you had that decision to make. Not strange as in "what was that about?".

Pat, how often are you home? I've heard some people say they make up to $75K a year driving trucks and others say it ain't worth getting up for. Sounds like you've found one of the better companies to drive for. Are you long haul?

Does anyone work offshore on an oil rig?

[prometheus578]

"I want a job that'll pay me what I'm worth."

(Uhmm, maybe that's not a good idea.)
Career changes are rough.
I retired from the Army years ago, it was.. "Uhh, now what?"

Been unemployed now for six months since the dealership went under. Feel hollow inside...
(It's hard to sleep all day and play computer games all night.)
What should be my next career field?
What should be my next challenge?
Sure, the unemployment check is nice, but got a letter today that wasn't. My appt. where they audit my job search records. There's nothing worse than having to list your friends as bogus "Job Search Contacts" in case the auditors want to call the businesses you listed to see if you're actually looking for work.
(Would be a lot easier to do if I actually had any friends)
State and govt. jobs have decent benefits, which is important when you have young'uns. Obviously, you'll be staying put till you find something better.
Some govt. and civil jobs have programs to send you to school... might want to cross-train into something else at their expense.
A lot of independance in a job like Pats' which is important, but too much time away from the family.
There's no doubt that you'll make out Ok... just takes time to find where you're comfortable and really belong.

[Incubus]

What's your computer specialty, Robert? State jobs in or around Austin generally pay significantly better than the same job in a field office. And state benefits are great when you have young uns......

[manshack_one]

I'm a Network Specialist III for TYC. I know for sure that TYC doesn't pay any different no matter where you're posted. Now, what does a network specialist III do? Mostly wait for the phone to ring or an email to pop up. distribute new pc's when they come in, repair old pc's when they die. setup email when people move to a different office. i always thought I wanted a desk job. now i can't get away from it. maybe i should just bone up on my programming and try for a business analyst position at a large private company. Anyone work with SAP? those guys are pulling 75K plus easy. Trainers are in the 100K range.

State benefits are not what they used to be. premiums have gone up significantly over the years and right now we're just about even with any other private firm carrying blue cross.

[fredintoon]

Hi 'shack,
one difference between my situation in 1969 and yours today and that's health care. Me and mine left the ministrations of the British National Health Care system to enter the Canadian Health care system. Neither system is "free" and they ain't perfect but they are pre-paid out of everyone's tax money. I'd suppose you and yours have a health care plan through your employer? Step out on your own and you'd better pray nobody gets sick.

[Incubus]

Network administrators for the federal government start at about 75k. There's always Fort Hood and about a dozen federal offices in Austin.

Patrick

[Special Ed]

Career change

I’ve been on the “sucker list” for “home based business opportunities" for a couple of years. 95% are scams of some sort, but several are not. I think I’ve found a few that are for real, and potentially very lucrative. I’d be happy to share if you are interested. I’ve been a self-employed wood floor contractor for 30 years: been wanting out for the past 10.
There’s no such thing as problems, only opportunities!
E.Liberty

[manshack_one]

Sounds like something I'm sure more than me would be interested in. You should post some more info here for everyone.

I've applied to 34 separate positions over the last 2 days. Plus sent some emails to people based on suggestions from some private messages.