Finally!! - I'm Out of the Business!
 

I just received word that I am hired on with a large county government IT support position! Back story is: Been an auto Technician most of my life, have always tried to view it as a career/profession until the late '90's. At that point I had accomplished most of my career goals, including owning a small shop but felt that I had reached the 'ceiling' in that field.

In the Northern Virginia area then, everything Web or IT related was a scorching hot opportunity. The real silicon valley was here. I decided to persue IT as my next professional goal. After lots of sacrifice of time, money and effort I made that transition into an attorney's firm for basic help desk in mid 1999. I worked hard and gave it my all even though my starting pay at that time was half of what I was making prior as a technician.

Through attrition and seizing opportunities where ever I could in that department, I was promoted to Jr. Network Admin w/a $10K raise 14 months later. Less than 1 year after that I was given another promotion and a $5K raise. Life was good! -

Late 2001, the entire IT industry started to implode, then came 9/11, then the firm was sold, the IT department was streamlined and my position was eliminated. I was out of work for @2 months - I had to go back to turning wrenches to survive . That process was long, painfull and humbling but I made the best of it focusing on European vehicles exclusively.

That was going well until the real estate market started crashing in late '07. Unfortunately, the car business tracks very closely with the housing market. My income dropped significantly at the end of '07 and has dropped every single year since in spite of making several moves with different shops.

December of 2010 I hired a consultant who's expertise was small business turn-arounds and also is a CPA. I needed direction with my career (or lack of), where to invest the small amount cash I had and where to focus my talents in this 'new' economic climate. Since then I have broadened my skill sets, learned how to network, job search, resume build and panel interview in todays impossible job market.

In that recent time period I have sent out @74 resumes into outer space, I have scored 7 face-to-face interviews and received one good offer. I start June 25th working with two people that I have worked with prior in IT years ago, It will be a great gig!

I am 52 and grew up somewhat poor on a farm, always considered my self not smart, but determined. If I can accomplish this in this economy, anyone can.;)

way to go man. I turned wrenches for 30+ years for a huge company with a very specialized fleet. Turning wrenches has changed so much. It is great to hear your determination, I hope it exceeds all expectations.

Congrats! Sounds like you're endured a long, challenging road and it's finally paid off.

It's funny though... I've been in IT for the last 13 years and I sit in my cube and think about how much happier I would be if I could work on cars all day instead. (I'm aware that I've got a bad case of "the grass is always greener on the otherside" and that 13 years as a mechanic might change my mind, but for now it's nice to dream.)

Congratulations AG, brighter days ahead! It takes huevos muy grandes to change occupations in this economy. Nothing like a fresh start to get the creative juices flowing!

And Head416, I know what you mean. It's like all actors want to be singers, and all singers want to be actors.

Good for you! On the government dole is probably not a bad place to be right now.

Congrats. The two fields aren't that dissimmilar mentally to me and I always wondered about wrenching on cars for a living. Then I have to do wrenching on my own and think better of that career move.

Congrats , and kudos to you. I see myself in your shoes in future years. Much thought has gone into re-inventing myself in the next 10 years. I hope it all works out for you.
Few more weeks, and the grease will vanish from under your fingernails, and they will begin to resume normal color. few more weeks, and all the injuries/cuts and burns will heal up, and it will all be a distant memory.
I simply cannot imagine turning a wrench into my 50's. This is a young mans game.

The government tit beats the heck outta workin' for a living, any day! Good luck, enjoy.

Perserverance pays off.

When wrenching goes titsup for me, I plan to become a doctor.

Thanks all! - The struggle in recent years, at times has been............................. almost too much too bare. I come from a tough (love) background and I do believe that a lot of people would have given up or succumbed to status quo given the same circumstances. Especially people in my age/demo bracket. For me the car business will never evolve into anything more than *****y at best. That business; no one EVER pays you to just show up.

The consultant I hired gave me @legal page worth of tasks and notes to go by. Every freakin word has come to be the absolute truth in this economy. Best move I ever made was hire a credible guy to advise me and then take that to heart and work on it.

His first words were "govt job" - city, county, state, feds - full or part time - take any position open to get your foot in the door for the security and benefits to stabilize your income and future. DO NOT persue anything retail related in this economic climate.

Congrats!

Congratulations, I admire your determination. Best of luck!!

That's so awesome. Know that I'm pulling for you to do well and receive your hard earned rewards.

Thanks all! - really looking forward to this. I will have/share a corner office on the seventh floor in Fair Lakes (Fairfax, Va.) VERY nice digs to me.

What will you do with clean fingernails?

It is strange to type but, congratulation on going out of business!

Don't you want to take a long sniff of transmission oil just one last time? ;)

Good luck, sounds like a good move. Good luck with traffic, 66 can/will be brutal.

Much respect to you.

Way to go. If I ever need to hire employees you have shown me the template of what to look for.

Crawling under cars when your 50 isn't for everyone. Happy you found a better way.
Jim