What next?

[flyingcheesehead]

Well, hammer has dropped. I figured something was up because my company has been selling a bunch of older trucks (normal this time of year) but no new ones were coming in (NOT normal). So, they've been firing (no, not laying off, firing) people left and right.

This morning, we woke up to a message on the Qualcomm stating that the van division will be shutting down in July. That will take us from the current 400 drivers down to 80 (they're keeping the flatbed/house-haul folks).

So, I think it's time for me to move on. I've been wanting to get out of driving for quite a while now. I even asked here a year ago when things started going downhill. I got some great ideas, but I don't know if I'm really ready to start another business from scratch. (If I was going to do that, I'd like to have a regular job with a less hectic schedule in the interim.)

So, I'm looking for ideas, leads, etc. I frankly don't know what I want to do - I have many things I'm good at, and my varied experience gives me a good basis for a lot of things plus I like to learn new things as well.

I've owned a business and done all the accounting, still do a lot of that as treasurer of my flying club as well. My business was computer and web consulting, I did mostly Mac work but did some with Windows, Novell, and Unix. I also did a lot of web work, ran two web servers, did database integration for other web designers, etc. I'm most of the way to an Electrical Engineering degree (23 credits left), and for a while I double-majored with Computer Science so I've done a lot of C++.

I'd rather not get back into basic IT - It's kind of mindless after a while. IT manager, sure. Programming, web stuff, sure. Reinstalling Windows for the 10,000th time - No thanks. (There's a reason I'm a Mac user. I used to have lots of people say "but you're a COMPUTER guy! You use a MAC???" )

(It's taken me two days to write this much - Gee, I'm really gonna miss this job but I'm just gonna post this quick and get to sleep.)

 

[sba55]

One thing to consider is that the IT sector isn't slowing down while most other parts of the economy are. I see lots of new clients come through our doors and they generally have just as much or more money as last year. There's lots of money for IT out there. I'd say it's a very secure profession.

That said, though, there's also a myriad of mediocre IT professionals/consultants. It's worth finding a niche. Everybody can (or thinks they can, more often) do "web design" or "IT consulting", etc. Not many can actually do these things well, and those that can command a very high rate. Basic web design is as low as $15/hr. An Extreme Programming Coach/Consultant is $250-500/hr. That same person with 10-20 years experience is easily $5k/day. My takeaway from this is that the IT market is very shallow when it comes to skill. There's plenty of people who do the same stuff - IT admins, "web designers", etc. There aren't many who do this well, and there aren't many who've taken the time to really dive into some of the more advanced topics. On the other hand, educational background plays only a small role. It doesn't matter much if you've got some credentials (mostly because there aren't any), but more if you know what you're talking about. This makes it easy to get in on these opportunities even if your background so far is very different.

Lastly, location plays a big role. I was talking to someone at Oshkosh who was the CEO of a small IT consulting shop in Michigan and he said that there's really not much work to go around there. NYC seems to be a hot spot right now, and of course the Bay Area has always been one as well.

-Felix

 

[Brian Austin]

One thing to consider is that the IT sector isn't slowing down while most other parts of the economy are. I see lots of new clients come through our doors and they generally have just as much or more money as last year. There's lots of money for IT out there. I'd say it's a very secure profession.

That said, though, there's also a myriad of mediocre IT professionals/consultants. It's worth finding a niche. Everybody can (or thinks they can, more often) do "web design" or "IT consulting", etc. Not many can actually do these things well, and those that can command a very high rate. Basic web design is as low as $15/hr. An Extreme Programming Coach/Consultant is $250-500/hr. That same person with 10-20 years experience is easily $5k/day. My takeaway from this is that the IT market is very shallow when it comes to skill. There's plenty of people who do the same stuff - IT admins, "web designers", etc. There aren't many who do this well, and there aren't many who've taken the time to really dive into some of the more advanced topics. On the other hand, educational background plays only a small role. It doesn't matter much if you've got some credentials (mostly because there aren't any), but more if you know what you're talking about. This makes it easy to get in on these opportunities even if your background so far is very different.

Lastly, location plays a big role. I was talking to someone at Oshkosh who was the CEO of a small IT consulting shop in Michigan and he said that there's really not much work to go around there. NYC seems to be a hot spot right now, and of course the Bay Area has always been one as well.

-Felix

Spot on advice. Phoenix is booming in IT as well. Monster sends me job notifications for various positions almost daily. Most are in development.

 

[CJones]

From personal experience hunting the job market a couple of years ago -- find a way to finish your EE degree. I have a friend with a 4-year EE degree working in process control for a components manufacturer in MSP -- making DARN good money for being 1-year out of school.

Another IT niche you might want to look at is Operations or Logistics Supply Chain Management. With transportation costs on the rise (preaching to the choir, I know), companies are being forced to deal with lean manufacturing and TL shipments in a JIT envirnonment. My take on it (gathered from insight from people IN the industry) is that there are a lot of people that know the SCM side and a lot of people that know IT, but not a lot of people that are good at both areas. I'm double-majoring in Mgmt. Info. Systems (MIS) and Operations Supply Chain Management (OSCM). I was chatting with an OSCM instructor yesterday and mentioned that I was a double-major -- his eyes got big and he said "That's GOOOOOD!" (I also noticed that he took a long look at my name when gathering homework we were turning in - I HOPE that's a good thing). He mentioned that there have been a lot of companies coming out of the woodwork lately, getting in touch with our College of Business saying "We want access to your OSCM & LSCM graduates!" Considering that you have real-world IT experience as well as real-world Logistics experience, you would find the coursework for LSCM to be a lot of 'common sense' to you.

Just another idea to throw into the pot. Way the by, I will return your phone call this evening after work.

Yet another option: Wait for 6 months for companies to start moving their production back to the US from overseas and get your truck driving job back.

 

[tonycondon]

come to ames for a month and we'll make you a CFI. then you'll be rich beyond your wildest dreams.

 

[t0r0nad0]

come to ames for a month and we'll make you a CFI. then you'll be rich beyond your wildest dreams.

Yes, then you can move somewhere like Conroe, TX and log 120 hrs of dual given in the first month while sharing a non-towered pattern with foreign students who have no business flying solo! Oh wait, that's been done by someone with a similar name... (just playing, Kenny!)

Seriously though, plenty of IT and CFI jobs to be had down here in H-town, TX, so if you get those qualifications you could definitely find work here, and it's a helluva lot cheaper to live here than NYC or the Bay Area. Plus, you could be closer to your sister!

 

[sba55]

Yes, then you can move somewhere like Conroe, TX and log 120 hrs of dual given in the first month while sharing a non-towered pattern with foreign students who have no business flying solo!

Hey! As a foreign, um, student, who has no business flying solo, I take offense to that!!!!

There's CFIs around here who charge $80/hr. Whether or not that is justified is another question.....

-Felix

 

[Lawreston]

Yet another option: Wait for 6 months for companies to start moving their production back to the US from overseas and get your truck driving job back.

My brother still has his tractor and three refrigerator boxes for sale (Page, Arizona). He's now in St. George, UT, as an employee, driving doubles and triples between St. George and Las Vegas. Not running his own company he doesn't have to load/unload these days; haul 'em, drop 'em -- easier on his back.

HR

 

[wsuffa]

From personal experience hunting the job market a couple of years ago -- find a way to finish your EE degree. I have a friend with a 4-year EE degree working in process control for a components manufacturer in MSP -- making DARN good money for being 1-year out of school.

I'll second this. If there's any way for you to just focus on finishing the degree, you'll be way ahead of the game. The US currently has a huge shortage of engineers, and that shortage is expected to grow. Lots of reasons for that, but the future looks pretty bright.

IT services continue to grow, as does outsourcing of many of those functions. But there's a LOT of competition. Security, logistics, and defense support continue to grow - and there will continue to be a lot going on in medical/med devices.

If you were in the DC area, I'd also say that you should find a company to sponsor you for your federal security clearance. Folks who have clearances are finding high demand for their skills (or more precisely, for their clearances), and employers are paying a premium. It takes 18 months to 2 years to get a clearance, but the demand is very high if you can be cleared. (that's called making lemonade out of the lemons of increased government classification of things).

The reality is that in today's market a degree is almost a prerequisite for most jobs. If there's any way to finish up, I'd go ahead and do that. Then use the placement office of the school to ease your way into interviews.

 

[sba55]

Bill, I'd have to disagree about the degree. What you're saying is true for the regular IT folks I was talking about earlier. That stuff isn't particularly interesting. If you can find a niche, be it agile project management, or anything else, I find that degrees are of no consequence. Well, _a_ degree is probably a good idea, but nobody cares what it is. Mine is in Economics.

-Felix

 

[wsuffa]

Bill, I'd have to disagree about the degree. What you're saying is true for the regular IT folks I was talking about earlier. That stuff isn't particularly interesting. If you can find a niche, be it agile project management, or anything else, I find that degrees are of no consequence. Well, _a_ degree is probably a good idea, but nobody cares what it is. Mine is in Economics.

-Felix

I agree that the focus of the degree is less important than just having a degree. After all, if you're working in IT for a financial or economic analysis firm, its a great advantage to have an economics degree with IT skills.

Most corporations use a degree as a basic qualification for an applicant. For certain professions, a degree is mandatory. On the other hand, if you're going to start your own firm or do freelance consulting, a degree is less important.... the key to success is your personal marketing skills and reputation.

I'd stand by my advice to any job seeker that wants to work for a corporation in anything other than a low-echelon role.... and even then, you're at a disadvantage when competing against others with a degree.

 

[AdamZ]

Kent: You know what I'm gonna say cause I've already said it to you. But what ever you do don't leave your current job till you have something lined up.

 

[jason]

Kent,

Think about security. No, not rent-a-cop type stuff. Information Security. Like a CISSP. They are in demand right now, and the field is only going to get bigger. I have a good friend who works on the as a senior member of the security team at a major insurance company (without a degree) and is making six figures. He is basically brought in to most areas of the company and he tells them how they can get pwn3d. He responds to outbreaks and tells mgmt how the next big project will need to be structured in order to protect the company.

 

[mikea]

Kent,

Think about security. No, not rent-a-cop type stuff. Information Security. Like a CISSP. They are in demand right now, and the field is only going to get bigger. I have a good friend who works on the as a senior member of the security team at a major insurance company (without a degree) and is making six figures. He is basically brought in to most areas of the company and he tells them how they can get pwn3d. He responds to outbreaks and tells mgmt how the next big project will need to be structured in order to protect the company.

That's where I want to go. I happen to have deep knowlege on most OSs and network equipment so I can "specialize" in a lot of areas.

Unfortunately the security dept at my job doesn't seem to want anybody that's actually the knows the stuff.

 

[gismo]

I agree there are decent jobs in niche areas of IT and/or information security. With the right skill set and some effort you might be able to set yourself up as a highly paid consultant covering several states by private airplane!

And one off the wall idea: Could you provide a service to multiple trucking firms involving methods to save on fuel costs and/or cope with rapidly changing fuel prices?

 

[astanley]

I agree that the focus of the degree is less important than just having a degree. After all, if you're working in IT for a financial or economic analysis firm, its a great advantage to have an economics degree with IT skills.

Most corporations use a degree as a basic qualification for an applicant. For certain professions, a degree is mandatory. On the other hand, if you're going to start your own firm or do freelance consulting, a degree is less important.... the key to success is your personal marketing skills and reputation.

I'd stand by my advice to any job seeker that wants to work for a corporation in anything other than a low-echelon role.... and even then, you're at a disadvantage when competing against others with a degree.

I had an opinion very similar to Felix's for a long time. I don't have a degree; I left to pursue the .com world.

I now work in corporate finance, M&A, and global operations for $BIG_COMPANY. Most of my peers are in their mid-50s and at the end of their career; I'm 28 and (relatively) just starting mine.

However, all of my brains and self-taught knowledge in the world doesn't compensate for a little check box on a form -- how can they know that I can explain the intricacies of purchasing power parity and organizational theory? Even though I know these things, and know them painfully cold, to many people, they just cannot see that on a resume. So, as much as I fought it for years, I've turned around and now I'm working on my degree. The upside is there (it's one less roadblock), and I'm focusing on things that actually interest and challenge my brain.

It is what it is. I tried fighting it and have actually gotten farther than most of my peers. But I'm paranoid enough to know that being able to check off the box has more upside than loosing top opportunities because I can't check the box.

Cheers,

-Andrew

 

[TangoWhiskey]

Kent,

Think about security. No, not rent-a-cop type stuff. Information Security. Like a CISSP. They are in demand right now, and the field is only going to get bigger. I have a good friend who works on the as a senior member of the security team at a major insurance company (without a degree) and is making six figures. He is basically brought in to most areas of the company and he tells them how they can get pwn3d. He responds to outbreaks and tells mgmt how the next big project will need to be structured in order to protect the company.

I was just scanning this thread after reading Kent's post to see if anybody else suggested infosec.

If I were starting over again in IT, or wanted to shift gears in IT, this is where I'd look. Jason is SPOT ON. The highest salaries and biggest needs right now are for good security folks. Get the CISSP and some Cisco certifications, and have a go at it.

Your EE degree, when you finish it, will look good on there as well.

http://www.microsoft.com/technet/community/columns/secmvp/sv0706.mspx

 

[astanley]

I agree there are decent jobs in niche areas of IT and/or information security. With the right skill set and some effort you might be able to set yourself up as a highly paid consultant covering several states by private airplane!

And one off the wall idea: Could you provide a service to multiple trucking firms involving methods to save on fuel costs and/or cope with rapidly changing fuel prices?

That's a good idea, Lance. One caveat: almost all of my friends who work in top-line logistics are MS or PhD's in Operations Research. Heady stuff...

Cheers,

-Andrew

 

[wbarnhill]

That's where I want to go. I happen to have deep knowlege on most OSs and network equipment so I can "specialize" in a lot of areas.

Unfortunately the security dept at my job doesn't seem to want anybody that's actually the knows the stuff.

I thought about it, even took a Certified Ethical Hacker course, but I'm still this odd kinda guy that wants to be in a cube farm pouring over code all day. Oh well.

 

[KennyFlys]

Yes, then you can move somewhere like Conroe, TX and log 120 hrs of dual given in the first month while sharing a non-towered pattern with foreign students who have no business flying solo! Oh wait, that's been done by someone with a similar name... (just playing, Kenny!)

Seriously though, plenty of IT and CFI jobs to be had down here in H-town, TX, so if you get those qualifications you could definitely find work here, and it's a helluva lot cheaper to live here than NYC or the Bay Area. Plus, you could be closer to your sister!

Gosh, that sounds awfully familiar! Wait, it IS about me!

By the way, it feels more like 150 hours a month but I'm having the time of my life.

Kent,

I hope something works out with some good timing for ya. It bites to have it come to an end so abruptly with little time for planning.

 

[kevin47881]

Kent, I wish you well in whatever path you elect to follow.