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posted April 15, 1996
I am a college graduate who has been employed in government agencies for the past 20 years. I am very unhappy with my job situation and would love to get into a new field. I have a talent for training and working with computers, but no real experience in a job with those things as the main responsibility. It seems that the only skill I've obtained by working for government agencies is how to work for government agencies! How can I break out of this rut and get into a new field without spending a lot of time going back to school?
Tripod: One of the great things about the computer field is that people are most often hired on the basis of what they know and can do, rather than on what training they have. Spend some time on your own, learning about the web or programming languages, or networking. Work hard, gain skills, and then apply for jobs where those skills are in demand.
bcw: I have worked since 1977 and please do not forget what I am about to share with You. It may sound simple but as you know life is not simple as we would like it to be and we can only do our best to strive for the best in LIFE. Here goes... In everything you do (Task, work, chores, love, sex, etc...), always do it for yourself, 'coz if you do this, you'll never want do anything uncomplete, below quality/quantity, unpleasurable love or sex, etc...! You will always accomplish them on time, satisfactorily, uncompromised, full of satisfaction and a climax that you cannot described. If you take Life this way, whatever good you do for yourself would automatically good for the organisation or people you work for. REMEMBER...For Yourself=For Everyone!
Moneyman: There is only one way out. Develop a network of contacts by attending conventions and seminars. Rememeber with large number of cutbacks due to the deficit the job you have now will not be here in 2-3 years. Everything is up to you and no one else; your career and life depend on you, no one else. The services and safety net that were available before are either gone or reduced to a level that will not work for you.
Padilbert: Be a go getter, keep what you have and don`t depend on anyone else. Take what you can get and make the best out of it.You are the only one who knows what is right for you, nobody else.You have to grab it and take it as far as you can and want.
Jazmyn: You need to decide what it is you really WANT to do.. this might not neccesarily be what you are trained in. If you enjoy working with computers / people / whatever then apply for as many jobs as you humanly can in that field and don't lose heart - alternately arrange informal meetings with Bosses of companies (if you can) who are in the area you are interested in and find out what they are looking for. This can also be an opportunity to sell yourself. Above all remember that you are going to spend the largest proportion of your life doing what you choose as a vocation - if you choose for the wrong reasons you will never be truly happy. Good Luck - I hope all goes well....
treborz: This sounds so familiar. Now that you have invested 20 some years at a job, you are about to retire...(FED. PENSION?), and you don't know what to do.... I work for STATE GOV'T., and there are ex-co-workers that have landed CONSULTING jobs with the same office that they used to work for... They couldn't wait to get out...Now we can't keep them away. ... What is wrong with all these "job" people? Do something REAL for yourself. Gather friends around, talk about starting a business on the WEB. Tax yourself to do your best to make your business a success. If you fail, start again! It doesn't take much money to start a business on the WEB... I did it for under $600.00, and I'm having FUN doing it!
KC5FM From one government employee to another, I feel your pain! Network! Look at starting your own business. There are plenty of resources available to help you and you can start this business before you need to (while you are still working).
dresslers: If you have 20 years in government you can't be more than 5 years from retirement. I suggest you work those remaining 5 years while you prepare for a computer-related career. Webmaster is a hot new career and you don't need that much technical expertise to create web pages. If you can use WordPerfect you have the basic skills to write HTML. Check into creating web pages for some of the agencies you have contacts at. You might have to 'give it away' at first but you may work yourself into a really good position.
cylee: I have worked for a higher education state agency for 7 years. All my good skills have disappeared since i have to conform to Their ways. i am ready to leave also but am now furthering my education on Their money so i can get the hell out.
baydolph: I would recommened that he open his own business teaching people how to work with computer's as there are many adults that are afraid of working with and using computer's. Plus he can always work with people from the government that are starting to use computer's. Plus it does not need lots of money to start this business, he probly has his own computer at home as well, which he can use to help clients with learning the rope's.
wms64: Computer training is a growth business as companies spend less on training & training departments. Start small - offer to teach your favorite software at a high school adult ed class in the evenings. After you have some stand-up training experience, you can contact small training companies in your area. Check out their course offerings and learn the software that they are teaching. Then you have the skills to "solve their problem" - you can teach what they are selling - training in popular software products.
jmd: Okay. Have you written a resume or skills assessment? Not that it's the answer, but that you'll get a better sense of what you've done/been doing over the last 20 years. Observe patterns,including bureaucracy navigation (not only applicable to gov't, mind you) and ease with information technology. For the latter, try "Laundry lists" with these questions as starters:
You get the picture. From this, you can develop an experience and skillset resume. It doesn't matter that it wasn't part of your official job - the point is you took initiative and did it. Now comes the hard part. Put together the various things you'd like to be doing. Be imaginative, be specific, be vague and ambitious, but put together your ideas. See how that list compares to your experience/skillset resumes, then fill in the blanks - informational interviews, library visits, net surfing. It will take time, but the time you invest now can make your worktime more personally rewarding later. Good Luck!
- How many software packages have you mastered (you "master", not "do" on a resume)
- how many different operating systems have you used
- what hardware platforms have you used
- what problems have you solved for co-workers who use computers,
- how many people have you taught/tutored ...
GrandAdmiralPetry: Face it, grad', You're not in a rut ... computers are [would be] your rut ... keep your feet 'up' ... stay out of that rut ... you're just seeing the old-baby fear of falling on your rump: funny thing about that, it's familiar, but it doesn't help: you have to stand again ... so don't get into it to get out of it. Keep thinking about what you should be doing: that's your real work.
Cordially and sincerely. Grand Admiral Petry
cso1: If you are really so concerned with not having any training, try taking a few night classes about computers at a local community college while you work at your current job.
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