Comments on: Why IT Sucks http://blog.billeisenhauer.com/2007/03/04/why-it-sucks/ Thu, 09 Dec 2010 13:21:04 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.0.3 By: Dave http://blog.billeisenhauer.com/2007/03/04/why-it-sucks/#comment-205 Dave Sat, 17 Jul 2010 20:54:57 +0000 http://blog.billeisenhauer.com/2007/03/04/why-it-sucks/#comment-205 Everything you said is true. I've worked in IT for over 10 years with mostly zombie like people with no enthusiasm for their jobs at all. I was doing UNIX Administration for a while but I took a Help Desk job because the pay was the same, the work was much less stressful and the hours were much better (with holiday's off). I'm working on a Masters in Digital Forensics. I hope to work in a Police Department or FBI lab. I think this work will be fairly interesting and rewarding. The hours are better in Forensics than in most IT jobs. Hopefully by the time I graduate the market won't be completely flooded. Everything you said is true. I’ve worked in IT for over 10 years with mostly zombie like people with no enthusiasm for their jobs at all. I was doing UNIX Administration for a while but I took a Help Desk job because the pay was the same, the work was much less stressful and the hours were much better (with holiday’s off). I’m working on a Masters in Digital Forensics. I hope to work in a Police Department or FBI lab. I think this work will be fairly interesting and rewarding. The hours are better in Forensics than in most IT jobs. Hopefully by the time I graduate the market won’t be completely flooded.

]]> By: jd- http://blog.billeisenhauer.com/2007/03/04/why-it-sucks/#comment-203 jd- Mon, 12 Apr 2010 01:45:09 +0000 http://blog.billeisenhauer.com/2007/03/04/why-it-sucks/#comment-203 Very good post... I HATE IT ... can't wait to get out of it, I've worked for 3 different companies in 8 years, w/ 2 consulting gigs in between, so that makes 5. They ALL suck, I've done DBA/Sys Admin and db programming roles... horrible horrible horrible. I am definitely not meant for this. I am going back to school for a completely different degree. If you are a smart person and have social skills I would HIGHLY advise to not even come close to IT... Very good post… I HATE IT … can’t wait to get out of it, I’ve worked for 3 different companies in 8 years, w/ 2 consulting gigs in between, so that makes 5. They ALL suck, I’ve done DBA/Sys Admin and db programming roles… horrible horrible horrible. I am definitely not meant for this. I am going back to school for a completely different degree. If you are a smart person and have social skills I would HIGHLY advise to not even come close to IT…

]]> By: List Builder Bullet From List Bullet Pro, The Best List Builder Ever! | 7Wins.eu http://blog.billeisenhauer.com/2007/03/04/why-it-sucks/#comment-202 List Builder Bullet From List Bullet Pro, The Best List Builder Ever! | 7Wins.eu Sat, 06 Mar 2010 16:33:10 +0000 http://blog.billeisenhauer.com/2007/03/04/why-it-sucks/#comment-202 [...] [...] [...] [...]

]]> By: Freddy http://blog.billeisenhauer.com/2007/03/04/why-it-sucks/#comment-198 Freddy Mon, 05 Oct 2009 21:33:59 +0000 http://blog.billeisenhauer.com/2007/03/04/why-it-sucks/#comment-198 It's true. In IT, especially desktop support (ACK), Windows (and even Mac / Linux) system administration and network infrastructure, you'll lose your soul. You'll find that you'll be paired/partnered with other soul-less beings, who have lost their soul for one of two reasons: 1. They have been in IT too long, and the Great Satan that created "IT" has won the battle. 2. They never had inter-personal skills, and have only had intimate relationships with a progression of machines and operating system upgrades. They, therefore, inherently suck. These blobs of binary-thinking protoplasm are often referred to as "geeks". Typically, they like Unix. 3. You're endlessly educating, re-educating the relentlessly helpless unwashed masses, whose most grand accomplishment in life is learned helplessness. Run, run away. Become a realtor, a doctor, a bus driver... anything! Besides, all the desk-sitting and Mountain Dew will make you fat, unattractive, lonely and in the risk category for a massive coronary (typically triggered by that one final no-ticket-submitting "I need it now" walk-in). Oh, and what's worse than a desktop support / admin position in an IT department? The same position in an IT department.. IN A SCHOOL! It’s true. In IT, especially desktop support (ACK), Windows (and even Mac / Linux) system administration and network infrastructure, you’ll lose your soul.

You’ll find that you’ll be paired/partnered with other soul-less beings, who have lost their soul for one of two reasons:

1. They have been in IT too long, and the Great Satan that created “IT” has won the battle.
2. They never had inter-personal skills, and have only had intimate relationships with a progression of machines and operating system upgrades. They, therefore, inherently suck. These blobs of binary-thinking protoplasm are often referred to as “geeks”. Typically, they like Unix.
3. You’re endlessly educating, re-educating the relentlessly helpless unwashed masses, whose most grand accomplishment in life is learned helplessness.

Run, run away. Become a realtor, a doctor, a bus driver… anything! Besides, all the desk-sitting and Mountain Dew will make you fat, unattractive, lonely and in the risk category for a massive coronary (typically triggered by that one final no-ticket-submitting “I need it now” walk-in).

Oh, and what’s worse than a desktop support / admin position in an IT department? The same position in an IT department.. IN A SCHOOL!

]]> By: OneManITDept http://blog.billeisenhauer.com/2007/03/04/why-it-sucks/#comment-197 OneManITDept Fri, 11 Sep 2009 19:07:33 +0000 http://blog.billeisenhauer.com/2007/03/04/why-it-sucks/#comment-197 Thanks for this post and all the follow-ups. I work as the IT guy for a public high school in the states. Been there for 10 years, never had enough help. 100 staff and teachers, 600 students, 200+ computers... all the burden falls on my shoulders, and my 15-hour-per-week college student assistant. And of course, everyone relies on the computers every day, for just about every task except going to the bathroom. I start the days at the beginning of the school year with 15 or 20 voicemails, plus a long list of projects. Things settle down a little bit by Christmas. At least I get some time off now and then. That being said, your post and most folks' comments all ring true. Doing this work day in and day out just sucks the life out of you. Knowing that I could lose my health insurance when I leave the job keeps me fearful. I am so glad to know that I'm not the only one, and I hope to work up the courage to make a break, take some risks, and hopefully be able to look back on this time in my life and be thankful that I had the good sense to get out. Thanks for this post and all the follow-ups. I work as the IT guy for a public high school in the states. Been there for 10 years, never had enough help. 100 staff and teachers, 600 students, 200+ computers… all the burden falls on my shoulders, and my 15-hour-per-week college student assistant. And of course, everyone relies on the computers every day, for just about every task except going to the bathroom.

I start the days at the beginning of the school year with 15 or 20 voicemails, plus a long list of projects. Things settle down a little bit by Christmas. At least I get some time off now and then.

That being said, your post and most folks’ comments all ring true. Doing this work day in and day out just sucks the life out of you. Knowing that I could lose my health insurance when I leave the job keeps me fearful. I am so glad to know that I’m not the only one, and I hope to work up the courage to make a break, take some risks, and hopefully be able to look back on this time in my life and be thankful that I had the good sense to get out.

]]> By: The Funk Roberts 6 Week Jump Training Program. | 7Wins.eu http://blog.billeisenhauer.com/2007/03/04/why-it-sucks/#comment-196 The Funk Roberts 6 Week Jump Training Program. | 7Wins.eu Thu, 06 Aug 2009 14:47:41 +0000 http://blog.billeisenhauer.com/2007/03/04/why-it-sucks/#comment-196 [...] Afrobella of the Week: Sharon Jones, Super Bad Soul Sista | afrobellaZack Arias - Atlanta based editorial music photographer » Transform :: A short film for ScottKelby.comBill Eisenhauer » Why IT Sucks [...] [...] Afrobella of the Week: Sharon Jones, Super Bad Soul Sista | afrobellaZack Arias – Atlanta based editorial music photographer » Transform :: A short film for ScottKelby.comBill Eisenhauer » Why IT Sucks [...]

]]> By: geezenslaw http://blog.billeisenhauer.com/2007/03/04/why-it-sucks/#comment-186 geezenslaw Tue, 24 Mar 2009 18:20:35 +0000 http://blog.billeisenhauer.com/2007/03/04/why-it-sucks/#comment-186 I have had this entry saved on delicious for a long time. I have recently moved to Twine and it popped up again as part of my job search. Yes, I'm an IT guy (really a Java developer) that is looking for a gig and on-the-ropes. As an example of how rewarding the IT industry is I am about to make a career change: ship-yard pipe-fitter. Sound ridiculous? Maybe, but I have a family to feed and the pay is 38+/hr and I don't have to stress around with IT types and their managers! I have had this entry saved on delicious for a long time. I have recently moved to Twine and it popped up again as part of my job search. Yes, I’m an IT guy (really a Java developer) that is looking for a gig and on-the-ropes.

As an example of how rewarding the IT industry is I am about to make a career change: ship-yard pipe-fitter. Sound ridiculous? Maybe, but I have a family to feed and the pay is 38+/hr and I don’t have to stress around with IT types and their managers!

]]> By: Rob Enderle http://blog.billeisenhauer.com/2007/03/04/why-it-sucks/#comment-181 Rob Enderle Thu, 12 Feb 2009 02:35:40 +0000 http://blog.billeisenhauer.com/2007/03/04/why-it-sucks/#comment-181 <strong>Retirement/New Job Panic: Find Something You Love and the Mature Worker Myth...</strong> Every once in awhile, I get a note from someone wanting to make a career change and move into the tech market. Often, they've seen some TV show about how successful they can become after attending one tech class or another and want my advice on which.... Retirement/New Job Panic: Find Something You Love and the Mature Worker Myth…

Every once in awhile, I get a note from someone wanting to make a career change and move into the tech market. Often, they’ve seen some TV show about how successful they can become after attending one tech class or another and want my advice on which….

]]> By: ITSlave http://blog.billeisenhauer.com/2007/03/04/why-it-sucks/#comment-157 ITSlave Sun, 02 Nov 2008 04:50:13 +0000 http://blog.billeisenhauer.com/2007/03/04/why-it-sucks/#comment-157 Alan Trent is so right. Prison is a good word. I worked in the field for 11 years and I'm basically at the point of changing careers. If I'm not dealing with an incompetent manager, I'm dealing with know-it-all coworkers who I end up training. Also, if it isn't a contract job, I am not interested because I get bored so fast. I'd rather work in a warehouse or something so I don't have to deal with angry jerk offs everyday. People freaking out like I work in a nuclear power plant and the reactor is about to melt down if I don't fix their stupid issue in 1 nanosecond. Who needs that kind of stress? Also if I hear one more time that the IT staff is just "overhead", I'm going to chop that persons head off. That's every managers best line. This career path has been a huge mistake. Alan Trent is so right. Prison is a good word. I worked in the field for 11 years and I’m basically at the point of changing careers. If I’m not dealing with an incompetent manager, I’m dealing with know-it-all coworkers who I end up training. Also, if it isn’t a contract job, I am not interested because I get bored so fast. I’d rather work in a warehouse or something so I don’t have to deal with angry jerk offs everyday. People freaking out like I work in a nuclear power plant and the reactor is about to melt down if I don’t fix their stupid issue in 1 nanosecond. Who needs that kind of stress? Also if I hear one more time that the IT staff is just “overhead”, I’m going to chop that persons head off. That’s every managers best line. This career path has been a huge mistake.

]]> By: Retirement/New Job Panic: Find Something You Love and the Mature Worker Myth - Rob Enderle http://blog.billeisenhauer.com/2007/03/04/why-it-sucks/#comment-146 Retirement/New Job Panic: Find Something You Love and the Mature Worker Myth - Rob Enderle Thu, 12 Jun 2008 19:36:31 +0000 http://blog.billeisenhauer.com/2007/03/04/why-it-sucks/#comment-146 [...] The reason you are in this position is that you didn’t do a good job planning your career at the outset. Here is a clue: Today truly is the first day of the rest of your life. Don’t repeat that mistake. Do a little planning first. A lot of tech jobs really suck, and I do mean chew off your arm and run for the door, suck. You sit in horrid little cubicles, you don’t see sun except on weekends, the air is dry and smells, and your manager likely will be the biggest complete idiot you have ever met in your entire life. [...] [...] The reason you are in this position is that you didn’t do a good job planning your career at the outset. Here is a clue: Today truly is the first day of the rest of your life. Don’t repeat that mistake. Do a little planning first. A lot of tech jobs really suck, and I do mean chew off your arm and run for the door, suck. You sit in horrid little cubicles, you don’t see sun except on weekends, the air is dry and smells, and your manager likely will be the biggest complete idiot you have ever met in your entire life. [...]

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