Free Career and Job Search Advice

ponisro · Newbie Joined: 19 Jun 2008 Posts: 1 Career Advice: +0/-0

I sought out this site, frankly because I am desperate in my attempt to find my true career path. I graduated in Information Science many years ago from a Major University; and ever since have been barred from entering my field of choice thru the workplace. I have made every possible human effort (in my opinion) to secure a position, but never to any degree of success. This has left me feeling totally demoralized and dejected and depressed.

A lot of time has passed, while having to work in other areas, which has eroded my skills and left me unmarketable. At one point, I felt as though I was highly trained and skilled, and had alll of the information at my fingertips; but now feel as though all of this has been lost, and unsure wheter or not it can even be recovered. I'm now at the age of 50, and wondering which direction to turn. I always thought I liked the computer field, but never having attained success has embittered me and my hopes of ever working in this field. Now, I am unsure of my career and my abilities, and unclear as to whether I should even consider to pursue a technical career along these lines. or even choose to do something else entirely. Being that I haven't had much success in the past; I'm also feeling gun-shy about re-entering a field where knowledge & confidence is key.

I've been suffering with this quagmire long enough, and now feel trapped in a job which is both emotionally and mentally damaging. If anyone, can help provide any insight to help me figure out how to get my life back on track, I would greatly appreciate it. I've sought to seek career counseling in my area, but cannot even to seem to find help in this regard; at least not without an expensive outlay of cash.

There is much more I can add; but little space left to explain the whole situation. - Please tell me what I can do to help myself. - If it helps; I am more inclined to the Hardware aspects of computers; i.e; networking; Data Communications/Telecommunications or even Network Security, although at this point, I am willing to entertain almost anything. - Thank you for your advice and hlelp - I will be eagerly awaiting a reply. - Thank you.

Pauloz · Posted: Thu Jun 19, 2008 6:38 am Post subject:

ponisro

This situation isn't uncommon. For the 50+ demographic, that's about par for the course, in at least 50% of cases.

I think what's needed is a workable niche for your skills, so you can train, work, and fund your career. You may be surprised to hear that IT generally is becoming a bit more flexible as its role broadens, and that opportunities are available.

Even Google are looking for people who aren't so much academically qualified, but who can do the job and make a good cultural fit with their operations.

They, and much of the industry, are working on a needs basis. (This is no bull. Have a look at Google's ads on their jobs page, and all they want is "a degree", some of which aren't even IT degrees.)

A few suggestions:

1. The main requirement is currency of skills. If you have recent training, etc, you're in the marketplace. You will need to do this anyway, for those in the industry it's ongoing. A chat with someone in the training area should figure out the specifics of what you need.

2. If your core skills are enough to work with them, small business, and other general business employers are a good bet as a base to restart your career. This sort of work gives current experience, references, etc.

3. It's not clear what other work you've been doing, but you may be able to parlay your way into some sort of IT work/training wherever you're working. You can do this as part of your career development stuff, and find a course or arrangement to do all that, which your HR guys should be able to figure out for you.

(Like, if you've been working as an accountant, you can say you need to do the IT systems, etc. IT usually cuts in somewhere down the line.)

I really do understand what a pain this kind of situation is. Been there myself.

Just one bit of further advice:

Win the war. The battles come and go, it's the war that needs winning.

Good luck, any time you need advice, let us know.

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