I Helped Create a Monster! IT Guru...

[cdaigle430]

Technology-

When I was young I started out as a metal fabricator-loved the job but didnt see a long term future in it. Then I went into logging, had my own skidder and equipment-was paid well until I needed equipment repairs and new equipment. One set of chains for my skidder was 2,000 for example. Decided there wasnt money in contracting myself out but working for a logging company put me right back into the same situation I had as a welder.

So I decided to go back to school for Computers and technology....only I didnt have the money. I knew computers was the new gold rush in jobs so I joined the Army and got 23k for college.

After college I started working for companies like BOSE, NEC and small tech support companies here in Maine traveling all over working performing warranty fixes for plotters, printers, servers desktops and even installations.

I finally got a job for a major corporation as IT tech and have been here for 22 years. In the beginning it was what I though difficult because the board and CEO saw technology as a liability-they did not embrace IT in the beginning. So we were eager to please and prove we could make the company money rather than spend it. We created a monster-

We would work 18 hour days as needed...but no on call. After we were done we went home and enjoyed out time off and families. Pay was good...

Today-what a difference, we are the most important peice of just about any company. So much so we really dont have a life. Always need to be by a phoine even when not on call 24x7. Systems have become critical to the point stress levels of risen to an all new high...even time spent in military was a walk on the beach compared to what we go through today as an IT tech.

I support 75,000 Windows servers around the globe...my job is like the emergency room doctor but for servers. Server goes down, I not only must bring it back to full life but also in the quickest amount of time. Then we have to make sure it doesn't happen again.

I often think back to the simple times when I was hands on, all labor and guess what-I do miss it. Technology has NOT simplified our lives, it has made it more chaotic, convoluted, stressful and inhuman. I dont like seeing people out there face into phone all the time-familes go out to eat together but always chatting with someone on their smart phones.

I made a living out of technology but at the same time it took me away from living. I want to homestead, live the rest of my life without having to carry phone.

 

[czechsonofagun]

I feel your pain. I had an episode in my life, when I was responsible 24/7 for system up, luckily it did not last long. I spent 30 years looking at a bloody computers screen and I can feel my eyes going, my present job is sw tester but I dream about "just a job" where I talk to people, do my stuff, get paid and leave on time.

 

[cdaigle430]

Yes i am gong to try and retire in a year (hoping the new president doesnt mess that up but I am optimistic). I cant imagine a life were im not being paged by xmatters or working less than 10 hours daily...nights and weekends.

When I go to South America for a months vacation I get just a little taste of it....and I love it. I guess you could say I have PTSD from my job...not knowing when the pages or calls come in and which ones are stressful, which ones take a few minutes to resolve and which ones will take half a day.

Im worn out...was like that also during my 22 years in the military.

 

[Oaktree]

I support 75,000 Windows servers around the globe...my job is like the emergency room doctor but for servers. Server goes down, I not only must bring it back to full life but also in the quickest amount of time. Then we have to make sure it doesn't happen again.

I often think back to the simple times when I was hands on, all labor and guess what-I do miss it. Technology has NOT simplified our lives, it has made it more chaotic, convoluted, stressful and inhuman. I dont like seeing people out there face into phone all the time-familes go out to eat together but always chatting with someone on their smart phones.

I made a living out of technology but at the same time it took me away from living. I want to homestead, live the rest of my life without having to carry phone.

Been there too, had a job where I was on call all the time. Much smaller operation though.
With that much equipment around the globe, how large is the support dept? Hopefully more than just you.

Agree that technology has just become an electronic leash. Having been in your shoes is a good part of the reason I've adamantly refused to get a cellphone. Being reachable 24/7/365 isnt' all it's cracked up to be. Won't even get into they way it tracks you...

 

[Industrial Toys]

Times can change quickly. I know a guy that is a well paid tech that looks after Printers for Financial Institutions worldwide. Suddenly with people working at home, demand for his services are way down and an uncertain future. His son just became an airplane mechanic with a bright future, and is now unemployed!

Amazing how quickly customers will gravitate to calling you on your cell phone if given the chance. Does anyone get paid enough for that? Should be like 900 numbers. They call you and it's $20.00/minute! Call me all you want.

 

[riptides]

.....

Technology has NOT simplified our lives, it has made it more chaotic, convoluted, stressful and inhuman. I dont like seeing people out there face into phone all the time-familes go out to eat together but always chatting with someone on their smart phones.

I made a living out of technology but at the same time it took me away from living. I want to homestead, live the rest of my life without having to carry phone.

Don't take this wrong, but you need a different job with better tech. Like everything in life - you (the individual) has a choice.

I chase electrons all day, the only time I go to a physical location is to collect physical evidence. And if that is needed, well a whole lotta other people have not done their job.

I rarely look at my phone, I don't wear a watch.

 

[Industrial Toys]

Why would you or anybody, if they always carry a phone?

 

[jmc]

That always-on-call-thing must be a slippery slope.

I read about minimum wage jobs where they can send you back home if there isn't enough work that day or call you up if they need more help. Either way, the employee is expected to be available, but not paid beyond the hours at work.

Saw a fair compromise at a machine shop with lights-out, 24 hr operation on weekends. Automated equipment that calls you when something malfunctions. Employee agrees to be on call for a few dollars/hr that weekend and gets a full wage for the hours they have to actually go in to correct the malfunction.

How does it work with these tech jobs?

 

[Industrial Toys]

Most non-unionized people I know simply got abused for being on call. Had to be available without pay and couldn't go anywhere or drink. Kind of, if you are going to have a job here, you will do this type of thing!

 

[LouNY]

I remember being on call before pagers and cell phones.
Having to call in and leave a contact number when I wasn't going to be at my home number,
calling into check in when ever I had gone some were shopping or gone out to at to be sure I hadn't missed a call.
Being on a phone tree, were if you didn't answer they called the next number on the list until someone answered.
Then the next day having to explain why you hadn't answered.
Getting a call and driving an hour or more to get to the location, then it was either going to be a 5 minute job and drive home again,
after calling in to update your location, or update and get another callout an hour in a different direction.
Then there was the call were they said it was going to be simple won't take you long at all (at 10 PM) and getting home at
6AM to go to work in 30 minutes.
So I guess the point is the more things change the more they are the same.