2017 was a year from hell - plans for 2018

I'm writing this in the hope that I will be able to look back on it in future and think: "wow, i've come a long way!". Long story short: My IT career was going well - until after I graduated, I felt like i'd picked the wrong degree. Now in the UK, if you feel like that, the Government wont allow you to take another loan to do another 3-year degree - you have to pay for yourself. At 40k+ , it's completely and utterly out of the question.

Here is a super quick summary of my recent job history:

2017 - service desk / security role - I find an ad online for an IT support role - I get the job and on day 1, I walk into the office, excited to look at whatever servers or whatever they've got in store for me to look at. Suddenly, 19 other people appear beside me. We each get handed a headset. The more 'senior' amongst us looked at each other about to burst into tears. We'd been completely lied to and sold a lemon - it was a call center. 50 calls a day from angry customers shouting and sometimes swearing at me was enough. Fast forward 6 months and I move into a security role - same company.

Now this is where I currently am. Those of you who have me on linkedin will know the company, but I wont name names, i'll just briefly say what the state of affairs is. My previous knowledge, experience....they don't care. "Senior" members of staff review my security tickets, then send notifications to my manager if i've made any mistakes. It can be anything from a spelling mistake to a missed escalation. I've said to my manager it's just simply pointless and not productive whatsoever - they're paying people to check my work for things like spelling errors....really?! My work isn't even going external. There's nothing worse than walking into work happy, positive, ready to go.....then reading complaints about your spelling, or someone disagrees with an event/ticket you did.

It's not even like you see these people, they're often in another country or region - it's faceless - people checking your work. They CC everyone into the email and your reputation goes down faster than a *insert pun here*. It's every other day. I've never, ever had this issue before in any other role. It's soul-crushing. When I was sending notifications to clients in other roles, or writing forensic notes for court, I never had this. But the company I work for now.... they are actively paying and inciting people to go over your work and if you've made any error in the 8 hours you're there, they'll catch it and write a sarcastic comment to management.

My manager will call me in for discussions about what i've done "wrong". I'm at the point where i'm sick of it and it's really, really getting me down big time. I work my butt off and work beyond my standard hours yet still get these notifications sent through by "unknown" people. It's hard to put in writing how annoying, frustrating it is - and angry it makes me.

At this point in my career, after being lied to several times about IT roles just to get me through the door, i'm wondering if I even want to be in IT anymore. 2017 was hell, and the 3 years since I finished university haven't been much fun either.

I'm going to see if I can get back to my roots and into a windows/infrastructure role and leave security behind. I think security is one of those things that is great in theory, great to study, great to work on in a controlled environment e.g home or university - but I don't personally feel like it's a fun career.

The big battle I have on my hands is finding a good role. I live in an area with very, very few roles and i'm not sure whether i'm financially able to relocate. Can anyone else put their spin on it? Anyone had a bad time? Anyone had a really good time and can't relate to this? (i'll be jealous if you can't!)

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636-555-3226

Sounds like you work for a big international company stuck in red tape hell where everybody is out to get everybody so they might be able to get a piece of the pie. IMO the company is everything. Security isn't necessarily bad (I do it and love it), but it's all about the company. For example, most security people I know who work for hospitals or schools absolutely loathe it. No resources to get what you need, and when the inevitable goes bad (which it will), you get 100% of the blame even though you have in writing that exact thing would happen if you didn't get the budget you needed for next year. I'd say try finding another company. Small companies have it tough - usually not enough resources to get what you need done (and usually not enough $$ for dedicated security people, anyway). Large companies you'll likely run into the same problem you have now. I'd say maybe start looking around for medium-sized company gigs or very small large company gigs. Why isn't relo an option? Kids and wife in an established role are tough to move, but at the end of the day you gotta do what you gotta do. what are your skillsets? remote work an option? remote consulting for a consulting company?

si20

636-555-3226 wrote: »

Sounds like you work for a big international company stuck in red tape hell where everybody is out to get everybody so they might be able to get a piece of the pie.

That sums up my entire post correctly in one sentence.

It's funny because in theory, you'd expect a multinational company to be able to get it right - on paper at least. In practice, even their methodologies are incorrect, but it's impossible to change their way of thinking. It's their way or the highway.

Re-location is doable - i'd just really prefer not to at this point in time - my other half has left her job to come and live with me and has just got a new job, plus we were wanting to buy our first house in the near future. That said, you're totally right and you've got me thinking about things. Hopefully in the next few months i'll have some good news.

Nisseki

I don't work in IT security but I think it's the company that's pulling you down.

Is it a managed service provider by any chance? Or is it a call center like SITEL?

I worked in both a call center and a MSP and I'm so glad I left, so much office politics and management are all for themselves.

Go for a smaller company, there's less office politics there.

UnixGuy

Just re-iterating what has been said, it is definitely the company and you have few options really..

1) Difficult but worth a try: Detach yourself from it. i.e. stop really caring if people comment on your work and don't take your manager seriously. Use your sense of humor. Basically detaching the ego from the job. Now this is very hard and probably impossible for most of us to do - I tried to do it in the past and couldn't, but it's an option worth thinking about. Have a hobby or something you care about OUTSIDE work and make the job just something you use to pay the bills for now. This doesn't have to be a permanent thing, just for the time being.

2) This is a must. Actively work on higher level certifications (whatever they are), you know, lab based certs that are intermediate-advanced. Security or otherwise, I know you have excellent credentials but keep working at it. I recommend security because you already are intermediate-advanced credentials wise, so keep working at it AND actively apply to roles. Eventually you might have to relocate to a higher paying job that will help you and your other half buy the house that you want.

3) Walk away and get into an apprenticeship type career, like a trade. Expect a whole set of new problems that might make this job look like heaven. (caution).

crimsonavenger

UnixGuy wrote: »

Just re-iterating what has been said, it is definitely the company and you have few options really.. 1) Difficult but worth a try: Detach yourself from it. i.e. stop really caring if people comment on your work and don't take your manager seriously. Use your sense of humor. Basically detaching the ego from the job. Now this is very hard and probably impossible for most of us to do - I tried to do it in the past and couldn't, but it's an option worth thinking about. Have a hobby or something you care about OUTSIDE work and make the job just something you use to pay the bills for now. This doesn't have to be a permanent thing, just for the time being. 2) This is a must. Actively work on higher level certifications (whatever they are), you know, lab based certs that are intermediate-advanced. Security or otherwise, I know you have excellent credentials but keep working at it. I recommend security because you already are intermediate-advanced credentials wise, so keep working at it AND actively apply to roles. Eventually you might have to relocate to a higher paying job that will help you and your other half buy the house that you want. 3) Walk away and get into an apprenticeship type career, like a trade. Expect a whole set of new problems that might make this job look like heaven. (caution).

Combine 1 and 2, make the certs your hobby, and get out of there faster. Look for a NOC or SOC role and put your security credentials to good use.

Danielm7

Sounds like the company as everyone else said, and if the pickings if your location are that bad you'd have to relocate or shoot for a remote position. I mean, experience, a masters degree and an OSCP and can't find beyond ticket escalation roles sounds like a rough deal.

TeeBee

I can relate to a lot of this when I started out in IT. The only difference is I knew I was heading into a call-centre type environment when I got my first service desk position. Having worked in call-centres before I hoped it might be a little different, at least I'd be troubleshooting and dealing with IT related issues I told myself rather than sales calls etc. but taking 50 calls a day every day does quickly wear you down.

I lasted 8 months at that. Thinking back now I probably could have seen the year out but I was desperate to move at the time. I went to a smaller IT support company but that was a mistake, I disliked that very quickly too. The call volume was less but I soon realised I needed to progress out of first line support if I was going to last in IT, answering phone calls and logging tickets all day long just wasn't for me. I started doubting myself and whether I would last or even wanted to work in IT.

Kept my eye out for something new and was contacted by a recruiter for a junior network engineer role. I was lucky enough to get it and I've now been in networking for over 2 years. Medium sized company, roughly 150 staff, experience has been good so far. Like others have said, you're just in the wrong company, keep looking for another position and something will come up eventually. Hopefully the next one will be better, though it's not always a guarantee as I found out myself. But they were all a learning experience. I now know I don't enjoy service desk and I don't enjoy working for small companies

Deus Ex Machina

Life doesn't get any easier. You reach a point where hard work and certifications don't matter, and connections/politics starts to be the only thing that really matters. You can't fix the terrible job environment you live in, and I know its hard to move out financially, but you've gotta save up and make it work. A opportunity-barren home will suck the soul out of you over time. Do you really want to settle down and buy a house in an area with no jobs?

victor.s.andrei

si20 wrote: »

I find an ad online for an IT support role...

Don't do that. I've done that twice and been burned to varying degrees.

si20 wrote: »

Fast forward 6 months...

+1 for surviving that long!

si20 wrote: »

There's nothing worse than walking into work happy, positive, ready to go.....then reading complaints about your spelling, or someone disagrees with an event/ticket you did....But the company I work for now.... they are actively paying and inciting people to go over your work and if you've made any error in the 8 hours you're there, they'll catch it and write a sarcastic comment to management.

si20 wrote: »

My manager will call me in for discussions about what i've done "wrong". I'm at the point where i'm sick of it and it's really, really getting me down big time. I work my butt off and work beyond my standard hours yet still get these notifications sent through by "unknown" people. It's hard to put in writing how annoying, frustrating it is - and angry it makes me.

Micromanagement is rampant at the majority of companies. So is workplace bullying.

Your manager enjoys the power trip. His (or her) managers probably also enjoy the same.

si20 wrote: »

The big battle I have on my hands is finding a good role. I live in an area with very, very few roles and i'm not sure whether i'm financially able to relocate. Can anyone else put their spin on it? Anyone had a bad time?

I've been in a very bad situation, not exactly like yours but with some similarities, and I can tell you a few things.

1. Figure out why you got into IT. You need something that's within your personal control - a future that's of your own making - to hang on to. Write your personal and professional mission statements.

2. Don't become bitter, angry, or frustrated. (This part is very hard.)

3. Don't worry about the finances for relocation. Things can be taken care of. Plan for it now, unless you want to be forced into relocation at a time not of your own choosing...like I was.

4. Start searching for new roles *now* and not just where you currently live. Do a side gig if you can for extra cash. You will need it.

5. It's not you; it's the company. It's the state of today's working world.

EANx

si20 wrote: »

Re-location is doable - i'd just really prefer not to at this point in time - my other half has left her job to come and live with me and has just got a new job, plus we were wanting to buy our first house in the near future.

If she's your other-half, I hope you're talking, what does she think about this? A lot of times guys want to show that "we got this" but it's her life too. Have you spoken to her about the options?

thomas_

I’ve experienced something similar at one job I had. There was a lady who’s sole job was to go through tickets and make sure they were updated. The SLA was to be updated every 24 hours. She would email me and CC my lead, his boss, and his boss’s boss if it was at the 16 hour mark and it hadn’t been update. I can kind of understand an email 4 hours before, but 8 hours before the deadline was a little ridiculous.

I think it’s definitely time for a new job. I would take a look at the jobs in your area and see if there is anything that might be a good fit. I’ve had a few crappy jobs and it’s a breath or fresh air when you get a job at a company that isn’t a sh*t show or at the very least is less of a sh*t show.

I would research the major employeres in your area and scout out their websites directoy. Sometimes you can find jobs that weren’t posted on job boards. Also, maybe try to find some sort of professional meetup groups or interest-based groups in your area and start attending them. This could help you make contacts that might lead to a job. I’ve heard something like 80% of jobs are filled through means other than advertising them on job boards.

ITSec14

Come to the US. Plenty of job opportunities here and the only place you get criticized for spelling mistakes is when you argue about politics on social media lol

Deus Ex Machina

ITSec14 wrote: »

Come to the US. Plenty of job opportunities here and the only place you get criticized for spelling mistakes is when you argue about politics on social media lol

I know you're not trying to be rude, but that's a pretty overly broad statement. Some states are doing a LOT better than others, and then even within those states there's some heavy differences geographically. Keep in mind that the US is more than twice as large as the EU.

ITSec14

Deus Ex Machina wrote: »

I know you're not trying to be rude, but that's a pretty overly broad statement. Some states are doing a LOT better than others, and then even within those states there's some heavy differences geographically. Keep in mind that the US is more than twice as large as the EU.

I didn't see a problem with my statement. If someone lives in an area with limited opportunities, then a change of scenery is probably needed. You're right, life doesn't get any easier...but you have to just keep on grinding and take chances.

si20

Thanks for all the comments. You've all helped to motivate me by reading that. Sometimes it's easy to think i'm the only one in this situation but actually, lots of us have experienced it.

I'd absolutely love a linux role - but the Linux+ isn't enough. Most linux jobs I see want someone know knows scripting in bash, python, ruby along with an RHCE and linux experience - that's not me. I've got the Linux+ and that's it. Never really used Linux too much in my roles - maybe a little in forensics, but that was it.

That being said: i've found 2 roles nearby - one is a Senior IT Admin role, whereby i'd be looking after the backups using veritas and managing a unix environment (i'd have to learn A LOT and get my RHCE for sure) and the other role is a Forensics/Security role where i'd be doing a mix of security monitoring and forensic examinations in the private sector.

I'd MUCH prefer the first role. Getting to work with corporate backups and unix would be a dream come true. Money isn't out of this world but it's good enough and there's literally years worth of stuff to learn. I'll let you know how it goes.