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.
