How can I start a new career?

[adrian]

The field of computer repair is slowly getting boring for me. I've done a lot of networking and database stuff in college, and back then I came to the conclusion that its not for me - so I stuck with computer repair. But a few months later, I guess the steam is getting cold and I'm quickly losing interest because its all repetitive stuff (remove for spyware/viruses, install this, fix that).

Before I grow careless and break something, I want to go into something interesting. All I know is that I'm not a salesman because I can't sell stuff at the store; I can't handle major maneuvering; and unless there's cute girls, I can't stand the hospital scene, so continuing with my CNA won't cut it.

Where can I go to "reinvent myself" after sticking/planning into a career for so long?

[MadAzza]

Re: How can I start a new career?

Well, no wonder it's getting boring. You've been doing it for, what, three months? Wow, that is, like, a long career, dude.

I suggest you keep doing what you're doing for a while until you figure out what you might be good at and enjoy. And keep in mind that you're still quite young, so you might change your mind a dozen times as you mature into whoever you want to be. That's OK, just go with it, but try to stick with something for a little while so you don't job-hop too much. Builds character, looks better on a resume and all that.

Is it possible that you are interested in working with computers or software in some other way?

Try asking an impartial person what your strengths and weaknesses are. (A supervisor would be better for this than a friend, but explore all options available.) You might have gifts that you're not even aware of, which you can apply to whatever you end up doing.

[1stwahine]

Re: How can I start a new career?

Adrian, No one can tell you what is better for you to do or what field to go into. It is you alone who has to decide. You have the ability and the smarts to repair computers! Many would love to be in your shoes...I am one of them.

So many people are without jobs. Many lack skills and brains. You are fortunate to have all three. Be thankful for what you have. If you need a boost to get your interest back up...come visit me on a Saturday Afternoon when I feed the Hungry at Kaukau Wagon. I'm sure it will change your mind.

Auntie Lynn

[adrian]

Re: How can I start a new career?

Adrian, No one can tell you what is better for you to do or what field to go into. It is you alone who has to decide. You have the ability and the smarts to repair computers! Many would love to be in your shoes...I am one of them.

But that's the thing - it seems like all I know is computers.

I remembered way back that I was interested in photography and videography, but the latter was sort of a family thing. I may not be eligible to go out and record lives for the 6 o'clock news (who'd want a 5ft camera guy anyway?) but I was creative in capturing the event (mostly of my sister's hula dancing).

[1stwahine]

Re: How can I start a new career?

But that's the thing - it seems like all I know is computers.

I remembered way back that I was interested in photography and videography, but the latter was sort of a family thing. I may not be eligible to go out and record lives for the 6 o'clock news (who'd want a 5ft camera guy anyway?) but I was creative in capturing the event (mostly of my sister's hula dancing).

Wow! You are LUCKY! Many DO NOT KNOW NUTTIN!

Count your blessings Adrian. You are still young. Plus, you are fortunate to have a family who have more than most.

Auntie Lynn

[scrivener]

Re: How can I start a new career?

Adrian, advice in this area is kinda like belly-buttons: Everyone's got it, but each looks a bit different from the others. You're going to get tons of advice about this, but I've actually been thinking about this for you for years. So just listen to me, 'cause I'm the man.

Get a Bachelor's degree.

Go to a four-year institution (we have several on this island, not to mention those on neighbor islands), take a bunch of courses you never thought you'd want to take, with a heavy emphasis on liberal arts, and discover yourself. That's what a college education is all about: Figuring out who you are and what matters to you and where you fit in.

You might get some flack, especially from those people who paid for your Associate's degree. Don't let that get in the way. The single best thing I ever did for myself was get a B.A., and I'll feel the same even when I complete this blasted M.Ed. I'm working on now.

So go to college. Read Kierkegaard. Look through a telescope. Paint your self-portrait. Examine rocks. Argue with a women's studies major (but not too much). Make up excuses for missing due dates. Get a little too friendly with a business major. And yeah, take a few computer courses. It's one of the best of the selfish things you'll ever do.

[GeckoGeek]

Re: How can I start a new career?

scrivener gave good advice. The other tact I'd suggest is just start applying for job. You might go for help desk in a company. You'll start with the stuff you're doing now, but you'll be on track to becoming an application specialist.

But if that doesn't appeal, well, just apply. You never know where you'll end up. That's how most carer changes happen. Someone has a skill that can be applied to a new job and the employer can't find anything that's a better fit.

[Composite 2992]

Re: How can I start a new career?

Sometimes work can end up being just that: work. What started off as a passionate interest turns out to be a humdrum everyday routine. Such as: I gotta go drive the airplane to Maui AGAIN. Or: I gotta go load the boat with tourist divers and gather the tiger sharks around the cage AGAIN. Or: I gotta go spin tunes at the night club for the same scantily clad women with big boobs AGAIN.

In those times, having a bunch of engaging hobbies can help.

Go surfing. Fly kites. Ride a bike around the island a couple of times. Learn how to shoot a pistol at a piece of steel that looks like a ram at 200 meters. Take a class in painting. Or go make a movie with some friends. Play the guitar. Whatever. Just get some variety in life. Too much of anything can become humdrum after a while.

[damontucker]

Re: How can I start a new career?

Scrivener's advice is excellent!

I credit my career now to my work study position at UH while I was attending school.

And believe me...there are more cute girls at a 4 year college then any hospital so maybe you can maneuver just fine there. I also credit meeting my current wife from my time spent at college.

You will find so many things at a 4 year school...and if you think choosing a career is difficult....wait till your advisor says.... So Doc... what do you want to "Major" in? You may find yourself saying... "Computers"

I'm not saying that a college degree is your key to finding your career... it does give a good opportunity to explore many options while educating yourself though.

Best of luck.

[tikiyaki]

Re: How can I start a new career?

....OR....You can start your own business.

You have extensive knowledge in one of the most significant and powerful tools in the universe right now. Computers.
The computer is the home base and proprietary force for nearly everything these days, except for maybe manual labor, and slinging hash.

Get a book like this...

http://www.amazon.com/Getting-Rich-Y...e=UTF8&s=books

Depending on the type of person you are, you may be much happier being a "chief" than an "indian" (please excuse any racial implications of that statement...it's a saying:-)

After years of working for people, I discovered that I fail to be a good employee in almost all situations. I discovered I'd much rather have clients than a boss

It's not for everyone. Like someone I know said...alot of times I'm self employed, sometimes I'm self UNemployed....it gets stressful, but rewarding too, and usually you have to do a bunch of different things to supplement your income...ie: I do music : composing, recording, CD mastering, whatever people will pay me to do, but I do graphic art too. Here's the thing...It's ALL computer based too.

Whatever it is, you should enjoy it, and it seems alot less like work that way.

[1stwahine]

Re: How can I start a new career?

....OR....You can start your own business.

You have extensive knowledge in one of the most significant and powerful tools in the universe right now. Computers.
The computer is the home base and proprietary force for nearly everything these days, except for maybe manual labor, and slinging hash.

Whatever it is, you should enjoy it, and it seems alot less like work that way.

Now...that's what I call EXCELLENT ADVICE!

Like Tikiyaki said, you already have the "knowledge!" All you gotta do is find what you enjoy and bring the two together. So much out there ~ the World is at your fingertips!

It's waiting foa you Adrian!

Auntie Lynn

[JAvendan]

Re: How can I start a new career?

hey doc,

i've tried to reply your post a few time already but i kept cancelling the post.

... so here goes!!!

there are so many different things you can do with computer and in the computer industry.

i believe you are working in a store doing sales and support - destop and some networking.

that's great and that's a start.

i know you've posted files and pages to the web so you have experience with that.

how about system administration? - user/group admin, network resources like file and print sharing, network services like http, ftp, etc?

you mentioned photos and movies - so, you've created/authored dvds??

the computer field/industry is huge and there are so many things available but you have to be in the right place and the right time - i really believe that.

you may have to leave the shop - go to school to further your education/experience... maybe find a place that can offer you a wide variety of computer related jobs so you can decide what you like and don't like.

i worked in a libary early on and learned about dos based machines - x86 - moving to windows 3.1 <--- i think i just dated myself - lol. i also worked in a mac service shop and learned everything i could about macs.

eventually, i learned about networking and networking operating systems in a corporate/business environment. very lucky as i was doing the same things the the "full" time guys were doing.

i then moved on to unix system administration and now microsoft networking.

in short keep your eyes open for different opportunities!!!

learn learn learn and enjoy life... pick up a few activiites outside computers.

i have two daughters and a loving wife. i spent a great deal of time with them and very much enjoy their company!!!

i have taken up ukulele and hula... gotta mix it up to stay fresh.

good luck, brah.

joel

[Pua'i Mana'o]

Re: How can I start a new career?

<puts on some Inner Circle>

I've been watching you

C'mon!

Hey!

Standing across the room
I saw you smile
Said I want to talk to you-oo-oo
For a little while
But before I make my move
My emotions start running wild
My tongue gets tied
And that's no lie...--

crap, wrong song. But good vibe. Becaaaaause....the fact remains that I HAVE been watching you. Here, on HT. You have asked many fabulous questions. Even in the thick of things, you look for solutions, that next lilypad etc, and give me the impression that you are always trying to get a step ahead.

Good for you, Adrian. You already possess a skill set that many people never develop. Critical thinking skills will float your boat regardless of what the tide brings in.

So that's the good part. The obstacles you face (common to The Brilliant Ones among Us) will be: 1)the grit to pay your dues 2)the patience to pay your dues 3)earning respect for paying your dues.

So take the advice regarding college. Consider the prudence of starting your own business. But NEVER forget that those dues are what will shape both your character and your earning power.

I want to also recommend that you work as a waiter at some time in your life. It is among the most noble professions from which you will face many, many learning opportunities. You must learn, at some point in your life, how to serve others on their terms. I daresay that some of the most emotionally and socially intelligent people I've ever come across consider their memories working as waithelp among their most sober learning experiences. And if you don't have the courage to work in a restaurant, the military is a comparable alternative. I sh*t thee not.

Then, read "Rich Dad, Poor Dad". But not until you have worked at least 6mo. as a waiter, or been in the Guard for a year.

[craigwatanabe]

Re: How can I start a new career?

Go on Welfare. Obtain an EBT card. Get Quest.

Or you can think about your life as a young adult with an open book and start filling in the pages with experiences.

Right out of high school I joined the Air Force in the field of electronics. Getting out I got a job with Kaimuki Typewriter fixing copy machines and desktop calculators. Then I went to work for Data Dimensions fixing and installing dumb terminals and Digital VAX and HP 3000 mainframe computer systems. I hated electronics after that but like you that's pretty much all I knew outside my Audio/visual certification I got from Kalani High school (true geek).

Then I got a job with PRI (the Gas Company) as an Instrumentation Calibration Technician, thinking I was going to calibrate precision electronics. No that was a glorified term for gas meter/regulator repair technician. So for the next 22 years I fixed and calibrated gas meters and regulators you see from your home to industrial plants. I hated that job from day one because it wasn't what I knew. But the pay was fantastic.

I also started working in radio (my love besides my wife and kids and my 1989 BMW 635 Csi), became a professional photographer and tried a multitude of multi-level marketing businesses.

Then I left all that to come to the Big Island to settle down at age 44. That's when I found what I love to do best...retail. I started working for Home Depot part time for the benefits but the reality is I get to talk to people and help them with their building projects. I get paid to talk to people!

I love to talk! But I couldn't build a dog house that could stay up in a typical trade wind breeze. I didn't know the difference between a 3D Brite finish nail and a 16D Galvy box nail. I knew what a drill was but I didn't know the difference between a Dewalt versus a Ridgid.

I came in with no experience with retailing (no sales experience other than my own marketing company Starcomm Hawaii), and very little hardware experience other than watching HGTV every Saturday mornings. But from my customers and a lot of training from Home Depot, I became very adept at hardware and home improvement. So much so that customers come in asking for me instead of some other sales associate because of what I've learned and applied.

I wish I had found retailing at a home improvement center earlier in my life because this is what I truly enjoy doing.

Adrian you're young and your life is like an open book. Maybe computers isn't your field as it wasn't mine but don't waste 22 years figuring that out. It's good that you understand that what you're doing now isn't what you want to do passionately.

Really now is the time to go out and try other fields. Even those jobs you'd never think of taking! But like Scrivner mentioned, get that 4-year degree. I tell my boys I don't care if it's a degree in basketweaving, the college experience is one that is necessary and will help guide you in your endevours.

You can listen to your peers but they only know what you know. Here on HT you have a wealth of knowledgable people who have done a million things and made as many mistakes. You can learn from our experiences so you can be successful as you grow.

Maybe we can call this the Adrian Project and get you fast tracked to success. I'm sure we all here know of someone who can get people on the inside.

This would be interesting and fullfilling at the same time. Our combined talents and network of people should be able jump start anyone's career here in Hawaii and abroad.

[adrian]

Re: How can I start a new career?

Adrian, advice in this area is kinda like belly-buttons: Everyone's got it, but each looks a bit different from the others. You're going to get tons of advice about this, but I've actually been thinking about this for you for years. So just listen to me, 'cause I'm the man.

Get a Bachelor's degree.

Go to a four-year institution (we have several on this island, not to mention those on neighbor islands), take a bunch of courses you never thought you'd want to take, with a heavy emphasis on liberal arts, and discover yourself. That's what a college education is all about: Figuring out who you are and what matters to you and where you fit in.

You might get some flack, especially from those people who paid for your Associate's degree. Don't let that get in the way. The single best thing I ever did for myself was get a B.A., and I'll feel the same even when I complete this blasted M.Ed. I'm working on now.

So go to college. Read Kierkegaard. Look through a telescope. Paint your self-portrait. Examine rocks. Argue with a women's studies major (but not too much). Make up excuses for missing due dates. Get a little too friendly with a business major. And yeah, take a few computer courses. It's one of the best of the selfish things you'll ever do.

I never thought of going (back) to school. But while I was in college, I really struggled in math, and that what held me back. I'm just afraid that if I go back to school then I'll have to repeat that, have more stress, and go through the same thing I went through last time (mainly depression).

....OR....You can start your own business.

I tried that, and now I'm working for someone who's "in my territory".


Again, thanks guys for your support and ideas. Whenever I'm in a jam, I know I can count on this community for support.

I just need something to stimulate my life.