Need Techie Input for a Career that is Crashing and Burning

self | today 27 September, 2001 | self

[mlmr]

This is a general question for techies and the people who love them. I have a relative who is married to a techie type. Consultant for 20 years. Subcontracted to one of the big 5 occasionally for project managmement. Business systems, inventory, financials, POS, materials tracking, delivery...you name it using IBM midrange systems. Made between 75 to 125 per hour (which is big money in this area) depending where he was working plus expenses.

Their lives changed and there were some family illnesses, deaths, and other problems. He really hasn't stayed on top of the changes. He has woken up to find his client base eroded and has been paralysed about retraining. What direction to go in, what to focus on, who's going to hire a 50 year old newly retrained guy? Is he ever going to be able to make dollars at previous levels? What kind of training does he need? He has even tried to get a job with the state and didnt make the cut. Is this a lost cause?

His wife is nearly hysterical. They are living on the retirement fund and between the taxes and the market, it isn't going to last long. They will lose their house. They have five kids, a mortgage and a car payment. He is stuck.

[mlmr]

Well the man has put enough air time in to be a sky marshall.

[sinkspur]

Can he do systems maintenance?

Companies are going into maintenance-mode for a while (I predict) and will look at the best value in the marketplace.

Project management is being outsourced to India and the Phillipines (I know because I'm selling it).

The best way to compete against this is to, yes, take a pay cut, but build a base of customers who are stabilizing (such as travel-related, health care, manufacturing)and prove value.

Things are tough right now, but your friend will be positioned to take a leadership role if he proves his value.

[mlmr]

Thanks to a favorite freeper.

Now, now, I love the rest of you too.

[mlmr]

Thank you, I will contact privately (tears in eyes).

[tacticalogic]

MCSE = Microsoft Certified Network Engineer

CCNA Cisco Certified Network Engineer

Both of these are industry recognized certifications that will at least get your foot in the door of any IT shop that is hiring. The MS certification is for Windows operating systems and applications - Exchange, SMS, SQL Server, etc.

The CCNA is Cisco's certification for their network routers and switches.

A paper MCSE is someone who has taken the courses and can pass the test, but doesn't have the foggiest idea what a network card looks like, much less how to put it in and make it work.

[varon]

. He has woken up to find his client base eroded and has been paralysed about retraining. What direction to go in, what to focus on, who's going to hire a 50 year old newly retrained guy?

I don't want to sound cold hearted but I think he is a victim of complacency more than anything else. Getting an attitude adjustment would probably go a long way in improving his chances. Once he gets off the pity pot, he can pursue new challenges with a clear head and focus which the HR people can read so well.

[Old Professer]

Two words:

Mac Donalds.

[tacticalogic]

Oops. CCNA = Cisco Certified Network Analyst.

[AppyPappy]

Actually, not true. There is a huge demand for COBOL types. She will have to move though.

[AppyPappy]

Universities have a hard time getting programmers. Try that route.

[Mordichia]

I am techie. And Basically this is my advise:

Linux. Red Hat - know it, breathe it, love it.

IBM's future is slowly being wrapped in linux and linux based software. The fastest computers in the world run linux. -- Its very similar to UNIX (AIX / HP-UX / Solaris) and very few qualified people know it.

It relative low cost make its ideal for business who about to embark on tough times. - Red Hat is also a partner with IBM and IBM pushed Red Hat as a supported version of linux. -- This is my two cents. But its something to think about. MCSE's are nothing more than Desktop support - which is okay if thats what you want.. but I like being out on leading edge technology... and this is where the future is. I will stop here before i start bashing microsoft...

[Old Professer]

You know what? You are an asshole. If you cannot be helpful just go away.

I am a "perfect asshole," thank you.

[parsifal]

A bump. He might want to look into a new career. I went back to college at 40, law school at 43. Lived like a pauper for several years but finally am doing something I like.

[Big Guy and Rusty 99]

My uncle was a techie for WANG in the 80's until he was laid off. He couldn't find a job in the industry here in MA. We did have a shortage of nurses however. The state paid his nursing school and now he makes good money (but works long hours.) Your relative might want to look outside of his field for now. hope that helps.

[mlmr]

He has been an independent consultant for almost 25 years. He just stopped paying attention to business for a myriad of reasons. He doesnt sell himself well, he has always had referral clients and never missed a billable day in the entire 20 years. He is good but has tapped out this line I think.

[mlmr]

As a matter of fact, yes he can do systems maintenence. Can that be done over comptuter lines? Perhaps he could low ball a contract?

[mlmr]

He recently had some career counseling and testing. The counselor was shocked. He had never seen anyone who was a better fit for his current line of work. Almost 100's across the page... or whatever the score was.

[Old Professer]

How dare you characterize me as though you know me; I am 61 years old, half-blind, semi-retired (through no fault of my own), intolerant of halfwits, halfbreeds, halfholes and all other semi-precious imprecations the like of you spill about your plate like orts for stray dogs.

A healthy male in his mid-years better never come crying on my shoulders because nobody will "give" him a job, I'll piss on his shoes.

I can't hear worth a damn from 3 years of being on a crack rifle team, but I can smell a peurile pissant a continent away.

Have a nice day.