Changing careers later in life

[Titanium_Man]

After major surgery last November and 5 months off work recovering from it, I found myself analysing my life direction and decided it needed a change! I returned to work a week and a half ago to an "announcement" which effectively means there's a very, very real chance I will be made redundant sometime this year.

Now I'm looking at this is a positive light. I will receive a nice little payout due to length of service (12 years) and I will have some spare time(!) so want to put all this to good use and leave the Insurance industry for good! Yes I will have to find another job, but for the time I am re-training, as long as I am receiving an imcome, it doesn't matter who it comes from... Maccie D's, Tesco, it really doesn't matter to me, as long as I can work/earn money and re-train.

Now I am intersted to hear from anyone who has gone through a similar situation. I appreciate plenty of people who have been made redundant in recent times, but how many have decided to use this as a catalyst to change their life direction and start a college, uni course or try your hand at a new career? What hurdles did you come up against? Anything happen which surprised you?!?

I suppose all I am after is someone who has gone through this and come out the other side smelling of roses! I'm searching for the confidence in what I am about to embark on is the right thing to do! I know the easy option would be to take the money, put it in the bank and simply find another pointless job I dislike, but in all honesty, this is too good an opportunity to pass up, so will be taking the plundge/risk!

[FUBAR]

I am in the same rocky boat as you, will be interesting to see replies. What industry are you leaving behind though and what is your idea of a dream job?

[Titanium_Man]

Yeah I'm hoping for some interesting replies, work is really slow today

I've been in the Insurance industry for the last 12 years. Moving from selling motor and home insurance, to dealing with motor insurance claims, payment protection claims all with people management responsibilities.

Idea of dream job.... this is he bit I am struggling with! I love the idea of a "manual" job, carpenter, sparky etc as I love to work with my hands and see the fruits of my labour with the finished product, but I have a keen interest in computers and technology and have probably spent more time looking into this side of things over the manual trade. Something like a Web Developer or Systems Analyst would be ideal as I could do those jobs on the move whilst I'm chasing fresh powder (I'm a keen Snowboarder!)

What's your story dude?!?!

[Aspman]

Well do something you enjoy or it'll not work out. I wouldn't suggest web development except as a hobby. Web developers are 10 a penny. Except for big corporate site development the market will dry up soon. Most people build their own sites via Google sites and similar things now. That trend will continue in the future.

Manual skills will always have a place but there is a lot of competition now. When ever building/pluming firms go bust you get a sudden increase in self employed tradesmen in the area. after the last few years there there are a lot of tradesmen going around now. Plus the immigrant tradesmen too.

However work-mate's 30yr old son has just left the motor trade to become a plumbing apprentice. He loves it and it's all going well so there are still opportunities.

Edited 2 May, 2013 by Aspman

[Titanium_Man]

Very good & valid points Aspman. I have already considered these issues and probably the main reason why I haven't committed to anything just yet. There are so many careers in the computer industry which I want and need to look into, but Web Development was initially at the front of my mind due to the ability to move around whilst still being employed.

That said, I'm still looking into the various options available to me and defiantly agree it will need to be something I will enjoy, otherwise I will be in the same situation in years to come but without the funds readily available like they will be once my current career has come to an end.

[jlwah]

There seems to be demand for Sharepoint and CRM developers at present.

[Aspman]

App development is a big growth area right now. i.e. writing bespoke apps for businesses.

If you can write a popular app (i.e. Angry Birds) you could make your fortune, but everyone is in on it now.

Otherwise the in demand stuff in IT is in niches. Data warehousing, database development. Cloud security is a current hot topic, big opportunities there.

[Titanium_Man]

Database management/development was the other main area I've been looking at funnily enough......

The trouble is it's all well and good saying there is currently a shortage here or there, but I need to get qualified which is going to take a few years, so the likelyhood of finding myself in a niche is unlikely, so not really thinking like that right here and now, maybe I should?!

[ScoobyChris]

I think the biggest hurdle you'll come across is competing with people who've been in the industry and got experience under their belt so you'll need to be thinking about ways you can set yourself apart from them when you apply. As said above, look for emerging technologies or areas of lower saturation (if they interest you!) to improve your chances and try and gain real-world experience, even if it's unpaid, as well as doing the courses. Wrt the courses, don't be taken in by the ones promising untold wealth and look at industry recognised qualifications (as per job specs).

There seems to be a trend in the industry to be moving away from home/remote working back to office-based working so if you're a keen snowboarder, it may be worth looking at multi-nationals who have sites in the areas you want to visit

Good luck!

Chris

[karlbar2k]

I was a long time in the hospitality industry, started as Barman and over 15 years ended up running clubs. Best and worst job at the same time. I then had an opportunity to reskill by going to university to do "computers", not so much a life changing move but Uni was great as I had missed out on going when younger (did it at 29 ). All the hype around big pay etc are for the very select few but there are good jobs to be had. Biggest problem with IT is that trends come and go so you could be on a good salary this year but next year out of work. I have recently had another change in my circumstances after getting the chop from my role as Technical Manager for an IT services company, (because I had 1 sideline client :p) I am now working for myself http://www.blackbridgeitsolutions.co.uk and whilst the stress is still there it is a different kind, where I used to stress about looking after 35+ servers and 500+ users across 15+ companies I now stress about getting the new clients in to be able to look after them

If you are lucky enough to find a job doing something that you enjoy then you will be happy. I would have loved to have gone down the surf photography route a very long time ago when I had a keen interest in both, but life gets in the way and you make the most of the hand you get dealt

[Titanium_Man]

Good advice Chris

To be honest,as silly as it may sound, I'm not really looking for headline grabbing wages, nor am I sucked in by them! My bro in law is a Systems Architect who earns ridiculous sums, but it hasn't made him happy! Money is not the be all and end all for me really.... althought it does help

I would sooner have a career that allows us (me and the better half) to move about chasing some powder and sunshine for a bit, hopefully agreeing on somewhere to plant our roots whilst we are at it.

[Titanium_Man]

Ah good shout Karl, great input.

Yeah I'm just that bit older than you were when you went to Uni, I'll be about 33/34 as I will have to spend the next 12 months doing either an access course or some kind of BTEC/NVQ etc prior to Uni as I didn't exactly apply myself at school.... if only I knew then what I know now :(

[Aspman]

Don't do java, EVERYONE gets taught java.

I bloody hate java.

Python is getting popular. Also being well clued up open source system admin might be worth looking at. Lots of people are looking at non-microsoft products now to save money but find they lack the skills to manage Linux systems.

[MartynVRS]

I'm still looking to get my first proper IT job. Applying regularly for things and only a few bites. One I had interview for wanted more than the job described and in reality was more a secretary job rather than more IT.

If you can find a job you like then great, if not then get one that pays enough to cover bills and to have a bit of fun with. Make the most of the time off by having some fun but also getting some job applications out there. When I left Uni I was so burnt out with it I spent all my free days (was only part time then) driving anywhere and everywhere. Over the space of the Summer I'd finished off two sets of front tyres. Would get up early morning and come back late evening. Was great fun but while I was still applying for things I could have spent a bit more time doing it, but don't regret the driving time at all. But again this is up to you and how badly you want to get back into work. Aim for something you'd enjoy would be my advice. With 12 years service it should mean a decent payout.

[ScoobyChris]

Don't do java, EVERYONE gets taught java.

I bloody hate java.

Python is getting popular. Also being well clued up open source system admin might be worth looking at. Lots of people are looking at non-microsoft products now to save money but find they lack the skills to manage Linux systems.

An interesting site I found, although no idea how representative it is of the industry as a whole (wherever I've worked you've been expected to be proficient in a number of languages!) -> http://www.itjobswatch.co.uk/default.aspx?page=1&sortby=0&orderby=0&q=&id=900&lid=2618

Imho, Java/C# are good languages to learn to familiarise yourself with the world of object oriented programming, although they're a little too high level to necessarily encourage you to write efficient code (which something like C/C++ is very good at). I've been doing Python just under a year now and found with a C/Java background it was very easy to pick up and I'm a big fan. The main thing though is being able to identify and use the most appropriate language for the job at hand. I'm always concerned when I see someone firing up Eclipse to create reams of Java code where a handful of lines of shell script would solve the task more quickly, more efficiently and with much lower maintenance overheads

Chris

[Brian69]

I've had enough of insurance (commercial) as well! Inevitably I'll be made redundant at some point in the future (unless I'm sacked or croak it first!) - I've thirteen years service and counting in my current job, which means a tidy redundancy sum. When the day comes I'm planning on taking a few months out (I've got mortgage payment insurance, income protection insurance and a significant sum in savings and share) while plotting my next move..

[gadgetman]

Changing sectors is extremely difficult even in good times.

[Brian69]

Changing sectors is extremely difficult even in good times.

:(

[gadgetman]

I'll elaborate.

When I was made redundant from fixing atm's I looked at moving into epos. The self service tills were just starting to appear, and essentially it was and still is essentially an atm system linked to a till.

They were only interested in previous experience or a school leaver with licence they could pay peanuts and mould.

I did change sectors but only because the people who took me on a) and had been redundant and knew it was tough and and specifically wanted an electro mechanical engineer with no sector experience so no competitors "baggage" being brought in. That and I was the only one of 10 interviewed who passed the verbal and practical test. And that was without knowing the kit at all - using a multi meter isn't that difficult.

[TriggerFish]

I've been doing Python just under a year now and found with a C/Java background it was very easy to pick up and I'm a big fan.

I'm not a great programmer, but I found Python horrible! Close call between that and Java for the worst language IMO.

@OP, have you considered something in networking? A network engineer or something? Combines the apparent interest in IT with a degree of 'physical' work too with the installations of switches/routers etc.

I can't see it dying out as the cloud comes in either - if anything it could become more important if a firm needs to boost its network performance to cope with streaming virtualised this and IaaS that.

Either way, I wish you luck! I'm leaving uni soon so trying to break into a new career too.

[ScoobyChris]

I'm not a great programmer, but I found Python horrible! Close call between that and Java for the worst language IMO.

Interesting - what language(s) are you a fan of?

Chris (hoping you don't say Lisp )

[Titanium_Man]

Gadgetman; Yeah I know it wont be easy. I expect to struggle financially at times, find it tough going learning something completly new, but I am determined, focused and ready for the challange

Trigger; I hadn't considered networking to be honest. I've been a little narrow minded and only really thought about careers which can be done remotly, but do think I need to be more open minded.

[TriggerFish]

I can send you some of the Cisco CCNA slides if you're interested in having a look? It doesn't cover the whole field of networking by any means, but is quite a good entry point/intro IMO.

Chris - I don't mind C (as long as it's only basic code) and I'm quite a fan of PowerShell (if you can call that programming?). I found Python to be counter intuitive and needlessly different to the other languages with no appreciable benefit.

[Titanium_Man]

That would be very useful Trigger, that would be awesome.

[Aspman]

Changing careers later in life....I'll be about 33/34 :(

Later in life cheeky begger.

I thought you were in your 50s the way you were talking.

Networking, especially a knowledge of routers and firewalls could be a good call. You'd need to specialise on the kit in a particular company when you get there but most people look for Cisco certs initially.

Unified comms is a biggie there right now. There is all the byod nonsense going on but I think that's going to prove to be a busted flush in the EU due to data protection laws.