How can I pull myself out of this self-induced rut?

I work at a large global company. The vast majority of IT jobs here, the engineers could do in their sleep. Sure, there are much higher paying and challenging IT gigs out there, but let's be honest, those are a pretty small minority. Anyway, my point was that the OP could get a few certs and get into of the lower/mid level jobs that are the glut of the market. You personally might not consider these positions very desirable, but for the OP it would be a big step up from his current situation.

I'm curious. OP, did you reach this epiphany (wanting to improve your lot) as a result of the coming marriage? I've always thought marriage does the opposite to any free man

Originally Posted by dtmt

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I work at a large global company. The vast majority of IT jobs here, the engineers could do in their sleep. Sure, there are much higher paying and challenging IT gigs out there, but let's be honest, those are a pretty small minority. Anyway, my point was that the OP could get a few certs and get into of the lower/mid level jobs that are the glut of the market. You personally might not consider these positions very desirable, but for the OP it would be a big step up from his current situation.

I would say that my point remains though. For someone that doesn't like studying and couldn't do well in college despite trying, I'm not sure that IT is the answer. I don't see any value in leading someone into a career for which they are not suited. It's definitely one of the more flexible options, especially as far as education is concerned, but you do have to have a capacity for it and an ability to sit down, study, and understand what you read, especially when you are starting.

Having said that, I would certainly encourage the OP to visit a library and pick-up a CCNA book or look at some of the MCSE materials to gauge his level of interest in the material. Personally though, if I didn't know that I had the ability to do the really interesting high-level stuff, and I hated the idea of university, I'd try something like carpentry, especially if I had a creative bent. But the OP has basically eliminated anything to do with trades or university, so I'm honestly not sure what is left besides dead-end jobs.

Originally Posted by sho'nuff

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i know you detest me, but i say +1 to this post. some people think IT is a dumping ground for people who cant cut it in engineering or what have you.
far from truth. i know so many intelligent (not just brain smart) people in IT. and who possess more sense and professionalism than the people in the next dept over in accounting or engineering or science r and d, or whatever. there is smart people everywhere. basically that is my point. and dumb people everywhere.

Can't tell if you're being serious or not, but I don't detest you. You sold me one of my favorite pairs of shoes.














You just make me cringe when you post about your wife/love.

Originally Posted by GQgeek

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I would say that my point remains though. For someone that doesn't like studying and couldn't do well in college despite trying, I'm not sure that IT is the answer. I don't see any value in leading someone into a career for which they are not suited. It's definitely one of the more flexible options, especially as far as education is concerned, but you do have to have a capacity for it and an ability to sit down, study, and understand what you read, especially when you are starting.

I see your point, but I don't consider studying for certs in the same category as university-level classes. It's much more hands-on based. Getting an actual engineering/science degree involves much more theoretical/abstract thinking, which is what seemed to me that the OP was turned off by.

finish college and network as much as you can.

from what I have experienced success is mostly based on luck, network as much as you can to increase your chances.

Originally Posted by Warren G.

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Yeah +1

Robbie, consider picking up a trade. They all make a solid living, and you can excel from there.

It all depends on what you are interested in, but I second what some others have said about picking up a trade. It can be an excellent living financially and certainly can be a fulfilling profession. You might also consider something like nursing or some type of technician for which there is a high demand. My friend who works at Mass General told me that currently they are in high need of radiology technicians.

Originally Posted by Aperipan

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I'm curious. OP, did you reach this epiphany (wanting to improve your lot) as a result of the coming marriage? I've always thought marriage does the opposite to any free man

I first felt an obligation to myself, and I feel an obligation to myself still. Yes being in a relationship with a great woman has made me want to better myself even more. She deserves the best, I intend to be 'my best', it is a struggle. Life is a struggle, I know she is there to help me struggle through, but as I said a while back I want to feel as though I am contributing.

Originally Posted by GQgeek

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Can't tell if you're being serious or not, but I don't detest you. You sold me one of my favorite pairs of shoes.

You just make me cringe when you post about your wife/love.

it was my sweet, better-half that found that shoe i sold to you. i kissed her on the forehead, and said" what would i ever do with out you??" and we both held hands all the way to the cash register and purchased it. then we skipped in sync all the way back to the car with the shoes in hand.
that night, we made love while trying to take photos of the shoes...like you know, how Patrick swayze did to Demi Moore in Ghost during the clay pot making scene?
we also had that song on btw....

then when we sold it to you, that night we said a prayer to bless the shoes to canada...then we both wrapped it while i cupped her from behind. stroking her hair and shoulders and arms while she lovingly caressed your shoes to be shipped.

that is how you got them on your feet today GQ

First of all, I do not endorse getting married at 23. Sorry dude. Not recommended.

Anyhow, that aside, not the topic of this thread....

+1 on all the guys saying 'trades trades trades'. Those boys make jackshit for a couple of years, and then suddenly switch sides of the SUV, suntan the other arm and make bank. Some of the most independently wealthy dudes I know went into trades rather than university, and are not encumbered with student loans like the rest of us, cos they group up with their mates from trade school and start accumulating ******* houses, and volunteering services to each other on big weekend renovation projects meaning the houses they scooped up in a recession and renovated with the boys are now worth double, sell, pay off mortgage, repeat without loan this time.

They are pretty much recession proof jobs too. Think of it like this...when the lights go out in good economic times, you call an electrician. When the lights go out in bad economic times, you pretty much still call the electrician....

Well worth thinking about.

Originally Posted by m@T

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First of all, I do not endorse getting married at 23. Sorry dude. Not recommended.

seriously, marriage at this age is self-induced rut to me.

Originally Posted by dtmt

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Get some IT certifications... it doesn't require a degree and the work doesn't seem that difficult (sometimes time consuming I guess).

It seems like a good niche to be in because it seems complicated for managers, and it's not considered interesting/desirable work to engineers.

My wife had no prior computer experience aside from chatting/IM. She took a few training courses as part of her work and passed the CompTIA A+ certification exams and now has a couple of IT certificates under her belt.

Dude, just pick a direction and go for it. Everyone here has given you tons of great suggestions, i.e. trades, Associates Degree, etc. Like another poster stated, success can have a lot to do with luck, but you need to put yourself out there. Luck will only meet you half way. You need to consider your options and pick whichever one best fits your situation. If you're a reasonably competent person, you'll find your own way, but you need to get moving... soon.

I'm 24 and was facing (and continue to face) a very similar predicament. Undergrad was easy for me, but I was directionless. I ultimately decided to go to grad school and see if I wanted to pursue my academic interests further. Turns out... grad school sucks balls and it was not for me. However, I did find a professor who was able to point me in the right direction. After taking his class and adding some experience I gained from jobs along the way, I developed a skill that would be marketable to employers. About a month ago, I found work in the field I wanted with decent pay. Had I not taken the leap towards grad school, who knows where I would be (probably for some ****** "recruitment" firm). Granted, I still question whether I'm taking the right path, but that's life. Be glad you're one of the people who actually questions your place in life, but don't let it overcome you. You can be your own worst enemy.

School might suck, learning a trade might suck, but they also have their benefits. Choose one, the other, or a third option and see where life takes you. Good luck with everything, but just make sure you make that first step.

you love coke and levis yes? why dont you try and get some kind of job with them maybe not on the retail level? send emails etc showing how passionate you are about the brands etc and see if they can put you at an entry level position somewhere. its a long shot but why not. otherwise why dont you look into doing something with fashion? its hard because everything you may want to do other then trades youd have to move. these things wont make you much dough right now, but youd probably love what youre doing.

Originally Posted by West24

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you love coke and levis yes? why dont you try and get some kind of job with them maybe not on the retail level? send emails etc showing how passionate you are about the brands etc and see if they can put you at an entry level position somewhere. its a long shot but why not. otherwise why dont you look into doing something with fashion? its hard because everything you may want to do other then trades youd have to move. these things wont make you much dough right now, but youd probably love what youre doing.

Best advice of the thread.