Looking for Career Advice: Ready for a Change

hardusb

hardusb

Active Member
Joined
Jun 20, 2009
Messages
75
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8
Location
Johannesburg
Hi everyone,

I'm 40 years old and have spent most of my career in IT support for small tele-sales call centers. In these roles, I've worn many hats and handled a variety of tasks, such as:

  • Setting up and supporting desktops
  • Configuring and maintaining VoIP phones and servers
  • Formatting and loading leads onto dialer systems
  • Managing file servers (we moved from Linux to Windows with Active Directory and Group Policy)
  • Managing and supporting websites
  • Handling minor office maintenance
  • Setting up and supporting local LAN internet
Working in small companies meant I had to be adaptable and versatile. From time to time at all my previous jobs, I've had team members working under me and often found myself in positions where I needed to manage people. I know that some people might see my frequent job changes as job-hopping and view it negatively. However, I believe this has actually been a plus—it has helped me adapt quickly to new environments and gain a wider range of experience than I might have in just one place.

Although I haven't had the chance to pursue formal education or specialized certifications due to budget constraints and limited resources, I've gained extensive hands-on experience across various roles since I started working in 2005. I've been at about 12 different companies—sometimes returning to previous ones after leaving. Each role offered unique experiences and opportunities to grow.

Right now, I'm managing my parents' grocery shop in a small town in the Northern Cape. While it's been valuable, I'm eager to move on and join a bigger, more stable company where I can grow professionally and maybe even pursue further studies with the company's support.

My Skills:

  • Strong problem-solving abilities: I can diagnose and fix technical issues efficiently.
  • Diverse technical knowledge: I've got experience in IT support, VoIP systems, Linux & Windows server management, website maintenance and design, CCTV cameras, web domains management/hosting/DNS, graphic design, and databases.
  • Adaptability: I'm quick to learn and adapt to new technologies and environments.
  • Management experience: Throughout my previous jobs, I've often managed team members and found myself in leadership roles, which has enhanced my ability to manage people effectively.
  • Communication skills: I communicate effectively with both technical and non-technical folks.
What I'm Looking For:

  • Career growth opportunities: I'd like to join a larger, stable company that offers a clear path for professional development.
  • Advanced roles and exploring new industries: I'm aiming to move into more specialized positions beyond Level 1 IT support, such as Level 2 or Level 3 support, IT management, or business management roles where I can utilize and expand my technical and managerial skills. I'm also open to transitioning into new industries that value adaptability and technical expertise, like cybersecurity, cloud services, or telecommunications.
  • Leveraging my skill set: I'm interested in roles that combine technical expertise with management responsibilities, like IT project management or operations management.
  • Financial stability: A stable income and benefits are important to me as I look toward my long-term goals.
  • Further education and certifications: I'm willing to study part-time towards formal education in the field I'm entering to enhance my qualifications and value to the company.
  • A supportive team environment: I want to work in a company culture that values collaboration, continuous learning, and supports employee growth.
Where I Need Help:

I'm looking to transition away from basic IT support and explore new fields or industries where I can use my skills and experience. Specifically, I'm interested in:

  • Identifying industries that value my technical background, experience, and adaptability
  • Where I can search for opportunities
  • Since I don't have any dependents and I'm not tied down by a rental lease, I'm able to relocate anywhere in the country if needed.
My Skills Matrix:

Skill Level Scale:
1 - Basic Knowledge
10 - In-depth Expertise

SkillLevel
Microsoft Word, Excel, Outlook7
Microsoft PowerPoint, Publisher4
Network Cabling (Cat5,6)8
Network Routing, Subnetting5
Mikrotik6
Apple OS6
iPhones5
Android Phones8
Microsoft Server OS4
Microsoft Active Directory & Group Policy4
VoIP Phones9
VoIP Physical PBX8
VoIP Cloud PBX7
Laptop & Desktop Hardware6
Windows Desktop (All Versions)8
Linux Desktop6
Linux Servers7
Web Development2
Web Design7
Graphic Design6
MySQL5
MSSQL3
WordPress6
DIY & Maintenance7
IP & Analogue CCTV Cameras5
Web Domains Management / Hosting / DNS7
Any advice or guidance would be greatly appreciated. Thanks for taking the time to read my post!

 
Enroll with UNISA for a Comp sci degree if you can.

Or Maths or Physics.
 
It sounds to my like you don’t want to be a software engineer right? I would suggest looking at cloud or networking or security certifications, to get your next job.
 
I agree with @cguy - it looks as though you have enough fundamentals that certifications in one of the areas he mentioned would be a good idea and relatively low cost/risk compared to a degree.
 
My suggestions are.

Figure out what you want your primary role to be. Right now there is quite a bit of maybe this maybe that in your post. Make sure its something with decent demand. Its hard for recruiters and hiring managers if you don't get your desired role across in the first few sentences.
Once you defined that role figure out a reasonable study path to improve and provide proof of knowledge to prospective employers.
Then apply what you have learned in your current role. It sounds like you have the opportunity in your parents business to accomplish that. It will serve well as examples you can talk about in interviews.

In short sit yourself down, put down a 1,3 and 5 year plan and then slowly chip away at it as best you can.
 
netstrider said:
Enroll with UNISA for a Comp sci degree if you can.

Or Maths or Physics.
Click to expand...
My school marks was too low for any university. I did some college awhile back but those marks was also too low. I will first need to go back to college and start at N1 again.

"...least N4 Mathematics passed with a minimum of 50% and N4 English, or N4 Communication, or N4 Communication Technology passed with at least 50%, and at least N4 Engineering Science passed with a minimum of 50%,"

All this requires too much money, Im living on a very low wage. First need to get a job somewhere whom either pays a bit more that I can afford these things and or help me with the study fees. If I start on my own now ill be done when im 50. Nobody will employ an newly graduated 50 year old.
 
Imarc said:
Based on your age, a university degree will take longer. Consider a certification program like CompTIA Network+ instead. https://www.comptia.org/certifications/network#buyoptions.
That might open a job opportunities for you then you can get cloud certification.
Click to expand...
R17k is a bit beyond my budget at the moment, dont even earn half that. Always been my problem, never earned enough to afford these certs.
 
hardusb said:
R17k is a bit beyond my budget at the moment, dont even earn half that. Always been my problem, never earned enough to afford these certs.
Click to expand...
No, you don't to the 17k, Just do the exam voucher for 7k, you can break it down in three or four months while you are saving you also study the exam, that way the moment you have enough money you are also ready to take the test.
 
PaulGherkin said:
Eish, you've worked for a d00s, likely at a small company that's still a close corporation
Click to expand...

Low Budget Debt Review Call Centres, you buy your power leads and multi plugs at the china shop because PNP is too expensive for the boss. Servers pay no more than R3k each, R500 a Rackmount 24 port Switch, string 4 together to run the office network..... You as a techie have to work miracles, boss wonders why when the extension leads running the servers burns out, wonders why when the old 3.5" Scsi drives crashes. All equipment I needed to work with was procured as cheap as possible.

If you cant get a job nowhere else you have to suck it up there. Long hours after hours and weekends working, no money or time for studies. So many stories about those calentures.
 
hardusb said:
Low Budget Debt Review Call Centres, you buy your power leads and multi plugs at the china shop because PNP is too expensive for the boss. Servers pay no more than R3k each, R500 a Rackmount 24 port Switch, string 4 together to run the office network..... You as a techie have to work miracles, boss wonders why when the extension leads running the servers burns out, wonders why when the old 3.5" Scsi drives crashes. All equipment I needed to work with was procured as cheap as possible.

If you cant get a job nowhere else you have to suck it up there. Long hours after hours and weekends working, no money or time for studies. So many stories about those calentures.
Click to expand...
When you apply for a new role, lie about your salary. Fake a payslip if you must. People will look at what you do and your pay and assume something is wrong.
 
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