I quit the IT industry I have had it, any suggestions on where to go?

[Room101]

I won't list the countless reasons for leaving; if you’re in IT you know them. What industry should I go into? I know nursing and medical are hot, but I don't have the stomach for it.

Thanking you in advance.

[Ellen Forradalom]

1. What sort of person are you?

Do you have a dream? Do you like working with people? With your hands? Outdoors? Indoors? Do you want to chuck over the whole materialistic thing and drop out of society, or do you just want a different gig?

[demnan]

2. Don't take this wrong . . .

but learn to spell (it's quit) and think about going into business for yourself or teaching.

The thing that IT people neglect is that being able to read, write and spell are very useful skills in whatever professional endeavor you pursue.

I'm a web developer - I don't fear leaving this industry - but I have a lot of skills.

My advice, take a business writing course. :-) Good luck!

[Room101]

7. Why would I take good advice wrong?

That is my weak spot written communication. It was only after I became a father that I started to take education seriously. As a result I have poor grammar in adult life. Maybe I will end up like the ending of the movie "office space" working outside doing grunt work, which doesn't seem all that bad.

[qanda]

15. You're on the right track...

Able to take constructive criticism without getting upset-- I'd say you're more than halfway there. I really don't have much advice for you, except to say that whatever you end up doing, keep the same great attitude that you just displayed and you will go very far! I wish you the best of luck.

[MissMarple]

16. Grammar workbooks are available in the SAT/ACT section

of your local bookstore. They can help. Many of us are grammar and spelling challenged. I use a dictionary almost everyday. Good luck.

[Sushi_lover]

3. career coaches

a career coach can help you analyze

- what's important to you
- what's possible for you
- what's available to you
- what tradeoffs you'd have to make

[librechik]

4. many hospitals and medical centers need computer experts

and you never have to see a urine sample. People overlook how much of the hospital setting is not patient care, but administrative. My cousin does insurance billing for hospitals, makes an excellent living and benefits, and lives wherever she wants, because any where you go there's a medical office that needs someone who knows how to use a computer.

[supernova]

5. I hear you, I'm close to thinking the same thing

after looking for a tech writing job for the past year. x(

You could revisit the exercises in What Color is Your Parachute? I found them to be helpful in the past and may run through them again.

[Pert_UK]

6. I did the same thing.......Some suggestions.....

I left the IT industry and went off to teach English for a year in China. Unfortunately I picked a bad company to work for and ended up leaving after 2 months, but I've been able to move on to Australia and am doing general office work as a temp at the moment.

I know a lot of professional people who have decided to take a year out and try teaching. There are many opportunities in Japan, China and South America for you to teach English without a formal qualification. It's a challenge, has variety and is a great way to try living somewhere else in the world.

Alternatively, why not think about entering Training? Either hard-core techie training in the area that you specialise in, or just lightweight MS Office training. You get to meet lots of different people and it can be fun.

Training is one industry which might benefit from the current slump - in Australia there are many traditional industries closing down and therefore a HUGE demand for training the newly unemployed on basic PC skills and job search techniques.

Equally, Outsourcing Consultancy is quite big at the moment - you could go into the business side of things, rather than the IT side, but retain your specialist knowledge.

P.

[slor]

11. I quit the IT dept...

at a major law firm in Cincinnati, after seeing one too many childish tantrum performed by a grown, wealthy, and supposedly respected man of the community. That and their sometimes overt racism. I returned to my old job as a Montessori teacher and while it was a severe cut in pay, the sense of actually contributing to the community as opposed to helping some jackass buy another high-end BMW is most rewarding.

[thermodynamic]

8. I hear ya

Nursing and medical are hot (mostly because of the need for them, they get paid plenty as it is so why is there such a demand...)

I've thought about photography but will likely decide against it. I want a secure job.

I should start seeing what's out there as well. But of all the tests I've taken, I am best suited for IT... :-(

[UrbScotty]

9. Bush needs Economic Advisors!

;-)

[neuvocat]

10. So many computer jobs out there...

there should be something else you like to do in that field that you can capitalize on, like technical writing for instance.

[supernova]

12. TW isn't that open right now

I know. I've tried to find another position for a year now.

[Liberal Veteran]

13. I am going into biotech after leaving IT....

Biotech leaves you open to work a number of jobs from research centers to environmental places to medical labs if you choose.

[Character Assassin]

14. Well, I guess firefighter and/or paramedic are out, then...

If you could stomach it, firefighters and firefighter/paramedics in San Jose, the closest major urban area to me, start at about $98,000/year.

[caledesi]

17. Join the Peace Corps and have the most rewarding experience of your life.