Do you work 2 jobs? If so how long?

Alexsmith

I got a job offer from a friends company for a second job in the evening for about about 5-6 hours a day for a good salary. It's more on the lines of computer repair/installation. I like the amount of money they are offering me and it has a better benefits package..but I worry about burn out. I wouldn't leave my current job either as I feel it's a significant step down from my IT Security job, which is mostly C & A and VM assessments.

Do anybody else on here work two jobs? If so how do you do it and avoid going crazy?

W Stewart

I always figured IT paid enough that you wouldn't need to work two jobs but to each his own.

N2IT

My job is the like two jobs.

Iristheangel

I've done it a couple times in my life. During my first full time job in IT, I was working as a full time security guard during nights. I did that for about 4 months and then switched the security job to part time which I did for a year. I pretty much stayed awake with lots of energy drinks, power naps, and probably not performing my best to be honest.

The second time around, I did a three month trial run at an MSP during and switched my security analyst position to nights. I pretty much had a prescription to Provigil to keep me mentally sharp and it worked semi-well.

After that, I pretty much decided never to do that to myself again. It definitely wears you down, stops your studying, and you aren't performing your best. It'll shave years off your life if you do it too long.

snunez889

I work two jobs right now, one being my first IT job in the afternoon to late night. The second one being a non IT job that i have been at for about three years. My second job use to be full time but now it's only part time and so is the IT job. Right now I'm working seven days a week, only doing it till I can land a full time IT job. So far I don't mind it, but I can def see it wearing my down after a long period of time.

devils_haircut

W Stewart wrote: »

I always figured IT paid enough that you wouldn't need to work two jobs but to each his own.

Maybe once you have the illusive 3-5 years experience, but at the entry level, nope. Or maybe I just live in the wrong part of the U.S.

eLs

Starting out you do not make enough especially if your late into your years when normally you would think you will be making more at this time LOL.

This is me right now looking for a reasonable second IT job for more experience and extra pay. My case is different from others I think since I work NOC overnight and have a good chance to find day time work like normal people as a second job.

The NOC is not as stressful and I really need the money to speed up on having an house since I had over 2 years after graduating with Bachelors and not having any job.

JoJoCal19

I've thought about it just to knock out all of my student loans, but I have three small children I like to spend as much time with as possible, so it's a non-starter. I may however look at it again when they are all in school. I wouldn't mind doing a second job if I got to work from home. Maybe pentesting or programming.

Alexsmith

I'm a jr level analyst so I'm not getting paid as much as I would like...yet. I thought about the second job to pay down all my student loans quicker as well as other debt from my younger dumber past lol. Even though it's around 3 - 4 days a week..I just worry about being burnt out and having a bad effect on my performance on the main job.

ScrawnyRonnie

I work 2 jobs now, but my part time is extremely part time. Before I got my now full time IT job, I worked at Target. I still work both jobs, but Target agreed to let me work every other Thursday. I total 8 hours/month there. I have a few reasons for doing this, but the biggest benefit is keeping my employee discount

TylerBarrett

I'm currently working two jobs, and have been since college graduation. One reason is to pay down student loans quicker, the other is because I simply need the extra money to pay the bills. Full time day job (and well into some evenings) at an MSP, and evenings/weekends as a Service Writer in an auto repair shop. Not a great second job, doesn't even help get more IT experience but don't really have a choice. I've pretty much stopped studying (would get a $2.5/hour raise if I complete my MCSE or CCNE) but the amount of studying needed for the exams puts it out of reach currently.

Needless to say it's not what I'd like to be doing, but I need that 3-5 years experience and there are few decent IT jobs in my area.

W Stewart

devils_haircut wrote: »

Maybe once you have the illusive 3-5 years experience, but at the entry level, nope. Or maybe I just live in the wrong part of the U.S.

Yeah I don't know too much about Indiana but I can imagine the cost of living must be high out there. I was able to get by on 12.50/hr in Tampa for awhile until I got more experience. The crazy thing is no matter how much more money I'm making, I always end up with more and more bills. student loans, car note, two year old ..etc

Antonio72

I worked 2 jobs and attended school before I got into IT. I was working as a mechanic in a bowling alley and a janitor. My typical day started off with going to school from 7am to 2pm. Then head home and get ready for work. Work from 4 to midnight, then head over to my other job from 1am to 5am. As you can see I didn't sleep much. The only sleep I got during the work week was on the bus between school and work and a few more hours on my off days. Though my off days didn't line up between jobs so I never got a good full nights sleep. I was able to maintain a 4.0 with school and somehow managed to stay productive at both jobs.

But, I was only able to keep that up for about 3 months before I started hearing voices. That was a clear sign to quit my second job. In the end the money just wasn't worth my sanity.

devils_haircut

W Stewart wrote: »

I can imagine the cost of living must be high out there.

Actually, Indianapolis is one of the cheapest cities in the entire U.S. to live. But the salaries are also extremely low, and we're not exactly a mecca of technology. There's plenty of jobs for mid- and senior-level IT pros, but really nothing at the bottom, and no way to reach the middle. I'm considering moving, and I have a few places in mind (Seattle, Dallas, San Antonio), but it takes money to move.

--chris--

Iristheangel wrote: »

I've done it a couple times in my life. During my first full time job in IT, I was working as a full time security guard during nights. I did that for about 4 months and then switched the security job to part time which I did for a year. I pretty much stayed awake with lots of energy drinks, power naps, and probably not performing my best to be honest.

The second time around, I did a three month trial run at an MSP during and switched my security analyst position to nights. I pretty much had a prescription to Provigil to keep me mentally sharp and it worked semi-well.

After that, I pretty much decided never to do that to myself again. It definitely wears you down, stops your studying, and you aren't performing your best. It'll shave years off your life if you do it too long.

If you have a lifestyle that occurs during daylight hours (family, kids, etc...), in the long run a night shift job will remove some time from the clock.

Shift Work Health Risks: Heart Disease, Ulcers, Obesity, Diabetes, Depression, Accidents


I know its webmd and sources are scarce, but its true.

aaron0011

I have a full time position and do Voice consulting on the side. Sorta like two jobs at times but the extra money is worth it to me...and it keeps me sharp on Voice since my regular gig isn't all Voice.

Doyen

I couldn't imagine doing that myself. Work and school is hard enough. However, making ends meet needs to be done. I admire those that can pull that off

RHEL

I currently work two jobs... I work in IT and do make sufficient money, but I also do Google search result rating (remote, any time of day) on the side to fund frequent vacations.

I have been struggling to find the time to dedicate to the second job though; it seems that once I leave my day job, I end up doing something else not not getting to it. I can work 10-20 hrs a week... I think 10-15 is a reasonable number of extra hours (if your first job is a standard 40hr work week), but anything more is burnout.

Alexsmith

That's scary Antonio, hearing voices?? I'm considering turning down the second position.. I worry that I will be burnt out after about a few weeks. Maybe if I found a position for 10 hours or a work at home opportunity.

Antonio72

Yeah, running on little to no sleep will mess you up big time. Thankfully I stopped before injuring myself at work or going completely over the edge.

eLs

Think you should try it first before you completely knock it out. If it is not working out for you then at least you know you tried.