Progression Path? End game?

in Off-Topic
For those of us who are 30+ or for just anyone who thinks about the future. What is the end game? Where does the progression path lead?
Many people on here are working towards MCSEs, CCNPs, CCIEs... but after landing great gigs as system adminstrators, network engineers, consultants, network architects....etc. What is next or is that it??
I am 32 and I don't see myself wanting to be that disgruntled bitter 50 year old still doing tech stuff, and I have seen a few of these people.
I work in a cryptography/secure voice lab and I am a manager. But, I am also involved with the technical side including some limited network and database admin tasks. I have enjoyed doing some of these basic IT certs. I have hit a crossroads of sorts, I feel like I have to pick...
I figure by the beginning of the next year, I will look for a new position, so I have been pondering this..
For all of you IT guys, besides being rich and retired... what job/position do you see yourself in when you're 50?
Many people on here are working towards MCSEs, CCNPs, CCIEs... but after landing great gigs as system adminstrators, network engineers, consultants, network architects....etc. What is next or is that it??
I am 32 and I don't see myself wanting to be that disgruntled bitter 50 year old still doing tech stuff, and I have seen a few of these people.
I work in a cryptography/secure voice lab and I am a manager. But, I am also involved with the technical side including some limited network and database admin tasks. I have enjoyed doing some of these basic IT certs. I have hit a crossroads of sorts, I feel like I have to pick...
I figure by the beginning of the next year, I will look for a new position, so I have been pondering this..
For all of you IT guys, besides being rich and retired... what job/position do you see yourself in when you're 50?
Comments
As for me, I'm sort of in a weird boat. I was dragged into IT, kicking and screaming, by a friend of mine. He suggested I build my first computer, he is to blame for my taking my first networking and programming classes, he was my lab-partner for my MCSE and IT security classes, and he put in a good word for me at my first IT job. . . that bastard.
In my heart of hearts, I've wanted to go into science and engineering, but my interest in computers and networking still stays with me. So, while I go to school, working on a degree in Computer Science & Electrical Engineering, I work in IT and I strive to become certified. Incidentally, I took enough classes at one point to get an Associate degree in Computer Information Systems, so I've got that to fall back on as well. I guess what I want to be doing when I'm 50 is going to be doing some kind of research, (read "blowing stuff up",) or working on some mad-boy design for something I dream up after hitting my head, or something along those lines. (With my luck, I'll probably end up teaching. . . and my students will be just like me.
For me, working in IT is enjoyable, but probably not what I want to do for the rest of my life. Right now it's definitely more rewarding than flipping burgers or serving up $4 cups of coffee while I take classes. The best thing that can happen is that I get through what I need to do and tag on one of those little three-letter titles to my name that starts with a 'P', ends with a 'D', and has an 'h' in the middle. The worst thing that can happen, is that I fall back on a career I enjoy, working as a network engineer or systems administrator. All in all, not a bad outlook.
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It's a dream.
How far do I see myself going in IT? Engineer. I don't know if I'll be around long enough (or if I'll be skilled enough) to be an architect. I'm studying management, but I'm not interested in management in a career sense, unless its managing my own business, which will ultimately be turned over to another if all goes according to plan.
I really want to create and have a successful product. Whether that product be a new business, a new toy/tool, or some idea that I think about I really just want to create something great in life. Making money is a necessity in that role as well. I study and try and be successful for the money. And it's not because spending the money and buying material things is what I want, it is just because the money is the unit of measurement in my mind. The more money I make the more successful I feel I am.
I'm also always trying to completely define my dreams as they aren't set in concrete. I've never had a passion or obvious desire as many people have. As Ahriakin said, things may very well change in the future.
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I'll spend the next 30 yrs learning scripting to be able to develop a program that combats royal's 'take over the world script', so that I'll be a hero and go down in history. Either that or I'll have wasted both mine and royal's efforts, throwing away a combined total of 60 years of effort that could have gone into something with an end goal. Yikes, guess I'll let royal take over the world then
systems administrator -> sr. systrems administrator -> systems engineer -> completely out of debt and a good bit squirreled away -> college art instructor
That's pretty much it. I'm in it just because there aren't very many art teachers out there that can say they have their MCSE.
Ideally I would like to work from home/telecommute if I stay in IT. Hold IT Training courses etc.
I have no idea what is going to come the next 5 years. (I will be 30 then.)
I just hope to make the best of it on my journey there.
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I have probably given this subject too much thought:
2020 Goals: GICSP, VCP7-DTM, GRID, MCSA Server 2016.
End game = retire at 37 since thats when I could of retired if I had stayed int the army.
Then... sail the world for a few years and come back to run for mayor in my local city and spend the rest of my life trying to make it the best possible place to live in, for people of all walks of life and income levels.
While doing those, work on being a good person, bringing up the people around me, opening myself to learning from others who know more. Just focus on being a good human in every interaction you have. Seems reasonable.
Personally I don't like IT. Literally at all. Its a means to an ends. At a certain age and time in the field you kind of realize.. welp.. I'm the network guy, because the time and pay lag to switch careers and build back to your current exp. and income level would create a time and wealth lag thats unacceptable. So you grind on. Holy s**t life has hit me lol.
Anyways, going to hike and then read some from the stoics on a mountain top
B.S. Geography - Business Minor
MicroMasters - CyberSecurity
Professional Certificate - IT Project Management
Career change from HR to Supply Chain then IT......
And so it starts and hope it ends this way. Help Desk > Desktop Support > Desktop/Service Desk Lead > Business Analyst > Senior Business Analyst Manager > SR Business Intelligence Analyst > SR Sales Analyst *Mistake 3 months)
Live on the community own a golf cart, the wife can have a car whatever (She's 10 years younger than me and is a specialized nurse making really good money)..... Also get a high end hybrid bike for local commute. Inherited some money so I have a jump plus been socking away in my 401k for years.... Had to use one once ~5 years of service due to some obligations....
That's the plan