Can haz any of you been in IT and got burned out?

[Frank]

It depends on when you ask me. I guess my actual IT experience is 16 years. I have retyped my response three times and it just sounded like a whiney rant of my little world. The parts that really chap me are really just corporate BS or not paying people in their job codes, poor/lack of documented processes, arrogance, ignorance, dont-give-a-damns, and clueless management and others.

Some aspects of security prevent it from being outsourced overseas, which is why I stay in security.

[line-em-up]

...

LMAO!! yeah, I noticed that after I typed it. I don't think we have the ability to change the subject line though so I'm stuck with that error.

Thanks for the feedback. A lot of you hit a lot of valid points, some of which apply to me. I don't think I have the "entitled" attitude and I definately don't act like a know it all. So far I keep pushing forward with my CCNA studies. I took CCNA 1 & 2 at North Lake and dropped out of 3 & 4 due to starting this job I'm at now. I'm hoping to take 3 & 4 beginning in May and hopefully, can branch out to something new this year. After being in a Sys Admin role for a while, I've definately made my mind up about going into the networking side of IT.

Is the CCNA in sections now? When I got mine on 2002, it was just one test.

[Silverback]

i think they are taking the classes at community college. The CCNA exam is only one test, and while it's not the hardest exam I've taken, it was pretty comprehensive, and the actual simulations weren't just easy walk thrus.

There's a few sites out there like examcollection.com that if you look around and read, you can find some really good "exact" study guides for the current exams. Make sure you keep up to date tho, Cisco and Microsoft change their exams frequently now, just to keep the amount of certs going out less saturated as in the past.

[GeorgeG.]

^^^^^that's correct...we're talking about the classes taken at DCCCD and TCCD. It's broken up into 4 (8 week) classes.

I found the Test Out videos so hopefully with that, my home lab and the CCNA Exploration material I got from the first two classes, I can get the hang of this. Subnetting, or at least being fast at it, is what gets me.

I was <this> close to paying for my own boot camp a while ago but had to spend the $3500 bucks on something else before I decided to do it. I was kicking myself after that.

[UserX]

The grass is always greener...

I work for a Fortune 50 company, been there almost 15 years doing nothing but IT. At such a large company, the work is very siloed... you're expected to be an expert in one small portion of technology. If you need something else, you have to engage another team. This gets old because when there's a problem everyone says it's not on their end, and you don't have access to look at someone elses shit.

My biggest gripe is outsourcing... we have offshored so much stuff to India it's crazy. Over 50% of my building is Indian now, it was probably 5% when I started. It sucks because you know you're ultimately training people that will eventually take your job. I hope this trend does not continue.

[ceyko]

Have any of you considered the vendor/consulting side of IT? To me that's where the fun is at, since you're never in a place long enough to get stuck in politics.

Also, you can work for a company and your opinion is lightly weighted. Same company as a consultant and your word is gold.

Lots of different experiences and such as well. Very little on call, but some long and odd hours....but that is just IT in general.

Sent from my DROIDX using Tapatalk

[txstangnut]

I too have struggled with this as of late. Here is my thoughts. You are going to get the corparate type stuff anywhere you work. The things I think will be hot and upcoming are.
1. VOIP. Hardly anyone has hard wire phone systems anymore.
2. Security. With the new HIPPA and other laws etc large institutions are needing security professionals.
3. Virtulization. Desktop, application, and server. Huge market for people that know this.
4. Wirless. As noted earlier.
In small shops your going to wear many hats. Just a fact of life. Network Admin, Sys Admin, Systems Engineer etc are just titles. I think the main thing is getting to where you want to be as in your example working with routers, switches, firewalls etc. Training is a important thing for anyone in IT. If you do not learn new things and grow your skils you will be out of date and have a much harder time finding a job. Very few companies place importance on training for IT people. I have only worked for two companies that do.

[LS1Goat]

IT

Going on 9 years. Have been feeling burnt out for about 8 years now. I actually missing working for GTE before all the layoffs/reduction in work force crap happened following the merger with Bell Atlantic, thus becoming Verizon. Was a circuit provision and DS1 circuit designer at the BRPC in Irving.

[GeorgeG.]

Ya know ceyko, I was actually thinking about that here lately for those exact same reasons..not in the same place long enough to get caught up in the crap and seeing many different networks can only be good for the experience. Althought I'm not sure how to get started or what additional training I would need. i've been meaning to pm you regarding how to get your foot in the door..I recall you work for a Cisco reseller or something like that.

But at the same time, I like having a place I can call "home". Not that it's that important, it's just what I'm use to.

[ceyko]

1. VOIP. Hardly anyone has hard wire phone systems anymore.
2. Security. With the new HIPPA and other laws etc large institutions are needing security professionals.
3. Virtulization. Desktop, application, and server. Huge market for people that know this.
4. Wirless. As noted earlier.

What we're seeing is a little different. I'm a UC (VOIP) guy and am now dabbling more in the VM/Datacenter side....but...

1. Virtualization - Specifically the VCE initiative/group. By far is exploding right now

2. VOIP - With all the other apps integrated into your deskphone AND your cell phone...

3. Wireless - For all reasons mentioned and then some

4. Security - From an L1-L4 this is being considered a core competency. From a political/HIPAA/SOX/PCI/whatever compliance point of view, that's what makes you stand out as you mentioned. However, you damn well better be good at it cause a company can be severely compromised or crippled if you're not on top of things.

Ya know ceyko, I was actually thinking about that here lately for those exact same reasons..not in the same place long enough to get caught up in the crap and seeing many different networks can only be good for the experience. Althought I'm not sure how to get started or what additional training I would need. i've been meaning to pm you regarding how to get your foot in the door..I recall you work for a Cisco reseller or something like that.

But at the same time, I like having a place I can call "home". Not that it's that important, it's just what I'm use to.

George,
Generally speaking we do A LOT of work remotely. We have an office in Plano and do some work from home stuff even. It goes on spurts when you're on customer sites all the time. Generally, we're more productive away from the customer and we have large white boards to get designs reviewed and so forth.

There are three aspects to the partner side. The better you get at all sides, generally the better off you are and they'll hold true for any job - just is more magnified at the partner...

Technical: This is your ability to go out in the field and do implementations, troubleshoot problems and so on.

Get certifications.

Learn technologies and how to do various tasks with them.

Sales: Your ability to put BOMs together, explain technology to anyone from a Help Desk person to a CIO. For me this was the biggest challenge since I'm semi ---anti-social. It's only been during the last couple of years that I've been able to not pass out in front of a group of people and do presentations, demos and such. Sometimes I still get woozy though for some reason.

Personality: On the partner side you WILL make mistakes you WILL fail to some extent (A person not making mistakes, is not doing anything challenging). How you handle it internally - getting help before it affects the customer, being open and honest and generally not trying to be a know it all and having a ticked off customer - and then everyone trying to scramble to fix it with/for you. Also, eagerness to grow (grow or die) and learn and NEVER bash the team. I've learned somethings from Help Desk people before. I was embarrassed I did not know it, but I was not really ashamed. It can be a PITA, but there is always new stuff to learn.

We never allow someone to fail who cares, asks questions and we know about it. First we typically all are good friends and it is what friends do for each other. Second, we can't let the customer see that happen. Perception and confidence is everything to us and we like happy customers.

What does it take to get into the field?

1. Be extremely qualified.

2. Have some qualifications with an employer willing to train you. I just had my CCNP and was given a shot. Currently my company is looking for people who have a good core competency. I have it outlined somewhat in the Jobs Forum. In this capacity - projects would be yours and you would be the lead. However, you'd have an Architect (myself or someone else) to escalate problems to and who would help with cuts. Again, you're made to swim but the goal is to not let you drown by providing help/resources that are needed.

Anyway, if interested PM me. I'm heading out of town but am more then willing to talk with ya a little even if you're not interested in interviewing. This goes for others too. If I don't respond right away, it's because I'm out of touch until next Tuesday. (No cell or internet coverage! Yay!)

[GeorgeG.]

Thanks for the info Ceyko. That is definately the type of work I want to be good at...I don't think I'm there yet as far as experience but hopefully soon.

As corny as it sounds, when I start talking about networking or going through the CCNA material, my heart rate literally jumps up. With the exception of going over something and thinking "what in the hell is this saying?" LOL, but once I get it...it's exciting.

I'd consider myself in good shape as far as the presentation and personality goes... the technical side is where I'm lacking the experience and confidence.


And Leah....not FAIR!!

[Silverback]

Going to work for a vendor is a very good option.

Working for Microsoft was one of the best experiences I've had as far as on hands learning. I learned more about the O/S than I ever thought I would.

Since networking is where you want to be, there are so many places to go with that. From Telco, to VOIP, to infrastructure routing and switching, firewalls, intrustion detection, bandwidth throttling, load balancers, VPN connectivity, etc...

I know a few people that got their start with McAfee and Symantec here in Dallas as well, and most have moved up or on to bigger and better things from them. They offer more than just Anti-virus products.

[Leah]

And Leah....not FAIR!!

No one said life is fair.

[Stunter Bob]

Ive been doing Tech Support for 4 years now and it has its good days and its bad ones too. But talking with guys every single day that are upset can take a toll on the morale for sure.

[Spritle]

Yes, very burnt out. Only think keeping me from quitting and pushing the tea cart at Luby's is the money.