You are nearing your mid 40s - what are your plans?
Posted by smoothvibe@reddit | sysadmin | View on Reddit | 188 comments
I'm almost 45 now and currently working as lead for a small infrastructure and support crew of five. Daily business is quite challenging with many changes and incidents sometimes happening at once. I get the feeling lately that operations might overwhelm me in the future, but can't tell if it is me getting older or if it's the job.
Currently I'm trying to figure out what I'm to do with the rest of my worklife. I'm a generalist and quite confident in networking, system engineering on prem and in azure etc. but somehow I think this won't do it in the future or I won't be able to keep up my personal high level of quality in operations management.
So I'm wondering guys & gals: anyone in a similar situation here? What do you think of your future? Is it possible to stay a generalist with all its glory but also stress even when getting older? Should I pursue another path in IT? I'm kind of fearing the day when I have to specialize on one topic, dunno why, I just like the variety in being a generalist.
unrealgeforce@reddit
I'm 35 and been on the job hunt for 6 months now after relocating to NC. Applied to probably 35+ jobs, both local and remote. Even went down $20k from previous salary and I've had 1 interview. Used to get job offers every month. 16 years experience. About to say fuck it and join the trades or something, this is fucked
smoothvibe@reddit (OP)
Hm what about taking up work as a freelancer?
unrealgeforce@reddit
Typical problem as a sysadmin: I know a shit ton of different things but don't specialize in anything enough to be a consultant. And I need steady work/income. Luckily my wife is still working but we bought a house right before this (wasn't expecting to lose my job) so I'm getting desperate
No_Accident2331@reddit
A trick I’ve recently learned—if you have the experience you just tailor your resume for the “specialized” job. Focus your bullet points to highlight your skills in the area that’s wanted for the new position. Downplay, but don’t dismiss, bullet points and achievements that highlight being generalized.
Also, spin the slightly weaker ones. Don’t outright lie just fluff it up a little. After getting out of the military I was a security guard for a short stint. One day I had to stand watch over an ATM on the side of a credit union. I fluffed it and said something like “Safeguarded large sums of money for financial institution.” (That was 20+ years ago though with no resume experience.)
—
Also soon to be 45. I’ve always been desktop support—I like being generalized as well but have had a long time interest in becoming a network engineer/admin. Very worried that by the time I’m qualified for the job that I’ll be too old.
I’ve been thinking of getting out of the IT game because I don’t want to be chasing certs anymore. But these dang “golden handcuffs”!
anonymousITCoward@reddit
I just crested 50, my only plans are to try not to have some kind of debilitating breakdown in the next 20 or so years before retirement...
grantnaps@reddit
20 or so years? You working till 70? Is that the new retirement age? I can feel my chest tightening.
anonymousITCoward@reddit
I thought it was closer to 75, i was being optimistic...
Brilliant-Nose5345@reddit
75? wtf. Unless you’ve been working for peanuts or just like working, I don’t see why you would retire that late.
anonymousITCoward@reddit
I work for peanuts, and live in a high cost of living area... 75 is the median retirement age here..
Brilliant-Nose5345@reddit
ah damn, that explains it. best of luck buddy
anonymousITCoward@reddit
Luck is not a factor... I will achieve this goal through spite and caffeine lol
Brilliant-Nose5345@reddit
LETS GOOOO. im rooting for you
glisteningoxygen@reddit
I'm aiming for 55, the fuck you lot playing at?
anonymousITCoward@reddit
High cost of living, poor life choices in my 20s... Consider yourself lucky if you retire at 50
ExcitingTabletop@reddit
Look at the worker to retiree ratio for your country, what that ratio is projected to be at you retirement age and check if you have a pay-as-you-go retirement system.
It'll be at least 70 for my age.
Cheomesh@reddit
I don't ever plan to retire at all
HoustonBOFH@reddit
Me neither. I actually like what I do. But I am not doing 60 hour weeks anymore...
ohyeahwell@reddit
I’m hoping to die at 65, I can’t imagine working into my 70’s.
brusiddit@reddit
At least where i live, I can't ever imagine paying off a mortgage before 70.
salazka@reddit
Currently 67 but keeps increasing.
HattoriHanzo9999@reddit
Sounds familiar. Take care of your body and mind.
anonymousITCoward@reddit
Trying to... =)
chodan9@reddit
Start maxing those retirement accounts. You might be able to retire at 60. At 50 you get to make catchup contributions. Also with the right plan it takes much less to retire than you may be thinking. Also get as close to debt free as you can
anonymousITCoward@reddit
I pretty much already am... no chance at 60... none what so ever. I am pretty much debt free, Less than 2k (usually it's less than 500usd) on the CC, and my mortgage is all that' I have
WendoNZ@reddit
Late 40's here. My plan is to never go into management. Every manager I've had for the last 10 years was once on the tools and all of them has some level of regret that they lost that knowledge through lack of use. That and I never want to manage people :).
The brain may be getting slower to learn, but in my opinion you easily make up for it with experience
anonymousITCoward@reddit
I feel ya there... the lot that I had to manage didn't want to learn... they wanted to be fed answers...
I know I'm slowing down when it comes to learning, and if it weren't for a pretty solid base that my previous boss, and previous mentors instilled in me I'd be up the creek...
gzr4dr@reddit
It's a trade off. While I rarely get my hands dirty anymore, I still research, meet with vendors, and learn new technology to understand how it can best apply to our environment. This is helpful when selling big changes to other management within the organization. The nitty gritty how-to and implementation is left to my teams.
The main benefit is I get satisfaction in pushing new change to the org, and celebrating the accomplishments of the teams. Additionally, it pays more which will help me leave the rat race while I still have the health to enjoy my retirement. I'm shooting for mid-50s if I'm lucky.
YourTypicalDegen@reddit
I feel management just gets paid too well to not do it but if you don’t have people skills it’s not a job for everyone. And I definitely feel, even though I’ve had IT management in the past that doesn’t, having some IT knowledge is necessary for the reasons you stated.
gzr4dr@reddit
No question that people skills is absolutely necessary. One way to determine if you have this is if you're in a group of other individual contributors to solve a problem, do others naturally turn to you or someone else in the group? Obviously not a full-proof test as there can be more than one leader in the group, but it can be a good indicator.
As for managers who have never worked in tech - it's very unlikely they'll have the respect of their team(s) and it's unlikely they'll be able to make good technological decisions. Sure there may be a unicorn out there but it's low probability. Lastly, good communication skills is a must - both verbal and written. In IT it can be hard to find someone who communicates well. If you can get good at this you'll stand out from your peers.
Rambles_Off_Topics@reddit
I used to want to be a manager so bad…now I believe I wouldn’t be the best manager, but I am the best at being a sysadmin.
zosofrank@reddit
Same brother. Turning 49 this year and I’m just hoping I can make it till the AI starts doing my job.
Ok_Prune_1731@reddit
I hope you can retire before 70 brother 😭
malikto44@reddit
Sounds like a plan to me... that's what I'm doing.
thatfrostyguy@reddit
Dude I'm 28 and that is my plan. I feel you
anonymousITCoward@reddit
Start saving now and you won't have to be as aggressive later on... on and if you mean 20 years from now and retiring when you're in your early 50s... good luck to ya.
netsysllc@reddit
same
Satoshiman256@reddit
Wow, sounds like my plan 😂
chefnee@reddit
Sounds like a good plan. I second this.
reionaheiderb@reddit
I am female and 42 and asian. I'd be super bullied into giving in to everything if I were manager. Just leave me with servers. They argue less
smoothvibe@reddit (OP)
Non-white & female in IT - I understand what you mean :| Really a pity that we are still far from gender and race equality, even if many people this isn't a thing anymore. I hope you didn't have too much negative experiences.
RestartRebootRetire@reddit
Wait until you're 50+. I have total grumpy old man syndrome now.
I need heart medication just to deal with increasingly incompetent enterprise support.
Happy I landed a nice SMB job because it's a cruel world to graybeards unless you're some uber specialized wizard.
ExcitingTabletop@reddit
Learn ERP's. It often seems like it's nothing but greybeards, at massive payrates too.
RestartRebootRetire@reddit
Absolutely true. My cousin was making $200k+ years ago on one of those.
ThreadParticipant@reddit
I got into Management… took the battle into enemy territory… “what would I do (run things) if I were a manager?”
smoothvibe@reddit (OP)
And how is that going for you?
ThreadParticipant@reddit
It’s been the most challenging time of my career… The IT side is easy… it’s the company politics and fiefdoms that are exhausting. It’s a long road and solutions take a lot longer to implement than technical ones. But sticking with it.
smoothvibe@reddit (OP)
Good to hear you can cope with it. I'm really not sure if it's how I could work. As IT guys I'm used to see results asap, but that also means that many things have to happen virtually asap...
WildBillWilly@reddit
I’m soon to be 43. I spent 8 years in management, burnt out, then got out of the industry for 6 months, and started in OT infra three years ago as a field tech. While I still do a lot of traditional “IT” stuff (networking, systems, lv), I feel like it’s almost been a career change. I work for a decent company, and have an excellent team, that make me love the job. I moved into a supervisor/team lead position for the eastern US and CA last year. Still lots of hands on, but now I get a lot of freedom to support our eastern guys as I see fit. I have no desire or plans to move up into management again, although I might consider it in this environment. I’m happy where I am for now. If I can help it, I don’t want to go back to traditional IT. (No shade here, just found what I love to do)
As for life takeaways, it took me a while, but $$$ and position isn’t the priority. Doing what you enjoy (or at least what you don’t hate), and being able to go home and spend time with family and sleep at night is what’s really important. Don’t stay where you aren’t appreciated, and when you find the place or team that does appreciate you, act like you’re the third monkey on the ramp going up to Noah’s Ark and it’s starting to rain— make yourself valuable. 😁
smoothvibe@reddit (OP)
I'm glad for you that played out and I think your suggestion "do what you enjoy" is the essence here!
IFear_NoMan@reddit
I'm in mid 30s. I started with network engineer, then to sysadmin. Last year, went and worked for U.S. government, got layoff. Going back to network engineer. It's been quite a ride and I still doesn't know what the future have for me.
abstractraj@reddit
I’m 53. Systems engineer/manager. I’m running some massive projects and also teaching my people. They are growing leaps and bounds and making the team amazing. I set up meetings with vendors and such where we can educate people. I encourage everyone to take their time off because I know I can cover everything. They also cover me when I’m out. I’m having so much fun! It’s super surprising!
ArtSmass@reddit
You sound like the best coworker ever on a great team. I wish I had mentor coming up, who knows how far ahead I'd be by now.
bjc1960@reddit
55 here. Do your best to "pay yourself first" For me, exercise, mental health, family. No current pets though I want a dog again. Things are nervy at every level ether as an IC, a manager or even at the exec level. I work in private equity, things are good. During the interview they told me, "we have no red tape here." That was not a selling point -it was a warning. : ) Attitude is to "get things done (and done right, not half-ass or unethical).
Your generalist skills are very valuable in the PE space. Mid-cap companies acquiring smaller companies need exactly what you have. My team does everything - never dull and boring. I realize this is not for everyone. It works for us.
rome_vang@reddit
I work at a small cash positive company, and your advice tracks with this as well. Sharpening my skills while wearing many hats (Network engineer, sysadmin, AD, printer tech, simple automation and even some basic web dev) while the pay is not bad, (relatively low cost of living area) after about 3 years it’s likely going to be a waste of time because I’ll be worth more than they’re paying me (based on what previous employees have told me).
Gatorcat@reddit
SAVE for your retirements..... If you haven't started yet, get going......
rome_vang@reddit
I feel that pressure. Switched careers in my 30s and now I’m approaching 40 and finally able to start up the retirement machine again.
divexpat@reddit
Mine was to retire asap. Made it out at 46.
jailasauraa@reddit
Not sure if my input will help, but....
I have been in the field for over 20 years and found myself neglecting my health just to prove myself year, after, year, after year. Got where I wanted to be, but the neglect caught up...
Took some time to get better and went back to T1(I know, don't laugh)...I've dealt with being talked down to and all of the other stuff, especially being Female, but IDC at this point, I almost died...
I'm cool w/ helping you map your printer while my cat is purring right next to me.
smoothvibe@reddit (OP)
Sounds about right! There alway seems to be the expectation to climb the ladder up - but why? My wife also talked me into applying for the CIOs job who leaves soon. He left because he got wrecked by the myriads of issues the company has, including some really nasty people he has to deal with and he decidedly said to me: "don't apply, it won't do you any good, trust me". Fortunately I got outta this without losing face.
Maybe we should think twice about going up all the way. Why not "dumbing down", maybe accepting less pay, but having much more quality of life like you did?
Thanks for your valuable POV.
Spardasa@reddit
I can retire on state retirement at age 53. I plan to go to the private world till 62, retire again on SS, then see what part time work can do just to keep active in IT.
Viharabiliben@reddit
I’m 60 now and in the home stretch. Don’t know how many more miles are in me. Part of me wants to keep going at some level of Sysadmin, the other part says f*k it, I just want to coast along and go back to Helpdesk work for my final 5 to 7 years. Too many years with too much stress has taken its toll. I’m just not up for being on point for everything, being on call, and all that comes with it.
IntentionalTexan@reddit
I'm 45. Manager of IT at a "small" business. Things are pretty good where I am now. I plan to keep doing this til I die.
Paapa-Yaw@reddit
I'll tell you in 21 years.
DarthtacoX@reddit
I started a business 6 years ago.
Endlesstrash1337@reddit
Kinda hope I die in my sleep soon before I have to worry about this crap.
illicITparameters@reddit
I moved into hands-on/technical management roles in 2017, and a full management role in 2023. I was over the day to day technical grind.
packet_weaver@reddit
I’m similarly aged but I specialized and my goals are:
lpbale0@reddit
I am 44 and been at my current place of employment for almost 20 years. We can accrue leave time, and either tack that onto 27 to retire with more years of service, OR, do what I plan to do and add your leave time to your current years of service and when the sum hits 27 bow out. I figure I will be able to duck out at about 49 or 50 with a full retirement, just in time for the little kiddo to go to college and me to find a new job where I can do something less stressful and enjoyable.
VoGrand@reddit
I'm in the same position, my thoughts is either going specialist (firewalls/palo/fortinet) or go the SDM route.
Even glancing at Azure365 and learning that...but just not feeling at the moment.
smoothvibe@reddit (OP)
Really love all your insights and thoughts on this! It seems I'm not alone and really appreciate every single reply which might give me (and maybe others) a nudge in the right direction.
Thanks y'all!
brownhotdogwater@reddit
I am in your same boat. As I got older I looked around and the guys in thier 50’s were mostly managers. So I went that route.
progenyofeniac@reddit
I’m afraid that’s where I’ll end up too, but I worry it’ll be a case of “failing upward”. I feel like I’m good at technical things while not so good at people things, and I worry that I’ll ultimately fail at managing.
Project management has been on my mind.
space_wiener@reddit
Obviously the pay is better in some management positions, but if you don’t like managing and like technical things why on earth would you want to manage?
progenyofeniac@reddit
Because it gets less and less common for companies to hire a 50+ year old tech lead.
Cheomesh@reddit
I wonder if AI will replace project managers more easiley than mid-tier and advanced techs.
Morse_Pacific@reddit
Just turned 40 here, and I'm a Director-that-should-be-a-manager. It doesn't help that I'm still heavily involved in the day-to-day because we're so under-resourced, but I have really struggled with the people management side of things. Project management has appealed to me in the past, but I really enjoy building and doing things and I feel that PM may be too hands-off.
MidninBR@reddit
I’m in the exact same situation. My wife is getting her PMP certificate next month and I might follow her next. I’m a IT manager for a nonprofit with around 200 staff and no staff under me.
progenyofeniac@reddit
I’m still entirely hands-on, aside from the unavoidable meeting madness we all seem to have these days, and I love the hands-on stuff. But I feel like as a strictly hands-on guy I’m going to struggle to both stay up to date and continue to find roles as I get later in my 40’s. Maybe I’m wrong, guess we’ll see.
brownhotdogwater@reddit
Same with me. I am going to work in a PMP cert now. I think that will keep me going. I just don’t care enough to get an MBA. It’s just so much time and money.
IAN4421974@reddit
Not me...I'm 50 along with a few others in my group and we all said nope to management. I think my words were about 10 years before we're "shit I can barely manage myself and you think me being in charge is a good idea ?" at which point my coworkers and boss laughed.
Impossible_IT@reddit
I just turned 60 about 3 month ago. Management is not for me. I found out in high school and later at boot camp that leadership is not for me. I’m still in the trenches. Doing what I love doing. I figured maybe another 5 more years until I retire.
PsychicRutabaga@reddit
Just a couple years younger than you and learned that happily staying a respected technical wizard is far more satisfying than the brief stints at people and project management that I've tried. Sure it's busy, but there are always new technologies to learn.
tollboothwilson@reddit
Just hit 40 and that’s my path.
Being the wizard.
UninvestedCuriosity@reddit
I did it for a few years at the director level but then moved back to team lead because others at that level are insane.
ErikTheEngineer@reddit
I tried management earlier in my career. I'm old enough (50) to have one foot in the golden age of employment (experienced through seeing my dad do his thing) and the crappy current age. Back then, management was a gift of a low-work position for a job well done. You were in the secret untouchable club, your word was law, etc. These days management is a horrible grind...you end up doing work AND politicking, you have to beg and plead people to do what you want, and you're judged on whether your subordinates did their job, not how well you do yours. I foolishly took a management job when offered because I thought it was the next logical step. If you only care about individual performance, and can't delegate because you don't trust anyone who works for you to not destroy your reputation, you can't manage.
alec_at_home@reddit
Depends whether you want to spend your day doing the fun work, or spending your day talking about other people doing the fun work.
smoothvibe@reddit (OP)
That is what I'm seeing too - how are you doing with that?
brownhotdogwater@reddit
Pretty good, am a IT director and liking it. But am staying at small shops so I can be more of a team leader then pure paper pusher.
JeffBiscuit67@reddit
Exactly the same boat here. About to turn 46, in a senior consultant role and just not enjoying it as much at all these days. Trying to navigate the future path is a difficult one. I've no real interest in the management side of things, although I think I'd make a good job of it. I've tried to future proof a bit with exams etc, but in reality I've no idea what I want to do.
Much like someone else suggested, avoiding a breakdown is fairly high on my to-do list
drcygnus@reddit
i want to pivot to farming. or raising wild turkeys. can you imagine having 1000 turkeys and selling them for 250 a pop on a thanksgiving? even if i sold 250 62K a year. not bad for not doing shit. screw it who cares?
Cheomesh@reddit
Who the hell is paying $250 for a turkey
drcygnus@reddit
people in buckhead in atlanta. shit goes for hella money
Phyber05@reddit
lol bro they sell turkey by the pound
doofusdog@reddit
I just had this, 20 years solo at one job. It was steadily getting too much. Mostly their fault. So I quit. 6 fairly shit months off a bit lost. Then 6 months on a fun contract doing laptop deployments with a big fun team. 3 more months of that coming up, then unsure of what to do next.
So I'm going to read this whole thread for ideas!
decipher_xb@reddit
I was an SA for many years, moved into management for about 5. I ended up leaving because I hit 40 and didn't want to give up all my weekends, tired of support overall. I moved onto a presales position.
_millenia_@reddit
How do you like it?
decipher_xb@reddit
I like it, i had transferable skills so the learning curve wasn't too high. Overall, less stress so far, weekends and late nights are still there but far less. Only negative thing is that I do have numbers and other KPIs I need to hit.
_millenia_@reddit
Thanks for this. I was just referred to a presale situation and although I’ve not even gotten to the first step, I wanted to weigh my option. I’m mid 40s, the only Sysadmin in the company. It’s just me, my boss (who handles the heavy network stuff) and his boss. So my position is fairly comfortable as far as being mostly secure. Just curious about how presale goes since it’s not typical w on call and things like that.
Deep-Egg-6167@reddit
I'm in my late 50's. I'm a consultant. You probably know everything I tell you. You HAVE to be open to learning new tech. I groan but love it when I learn new tech. I think I'd get weary of my job if I didn't love the constant challenges. If you don't love your job it is OK to change gears. I think if I were to do it again in my 20's I might do home construction but I'm pretty happy in IT so I can't complain. Some days I need to work 18 hours and others I work 2. I'm a consultant and I'm not sure I could go back to working for one company. I've seen so many of my clients rise and fall over the past 20 plus years and I've never really had bad years. I get work just based on word of mouth. Often someone will change companies and tell management that they had a great IT consultant if they aren't thrilled with their current support. I've also had a few of my previous employers bring me back as a consultant.
I'm not trying to pressure you but consulting was a GREAT career change for me even though I'm still in IT.
wrootlt@reddit
No plan. It is harder to keep up with things daily. And i don't think it is just age. Tech is changing too much. I do think about it briefly why walking to lunch or after work. Most probably will end up in some local gov org doing IT related work, a bit slower paced than now. Will try my best to stay away from management work, but might not have much choice. Maybe some occasional remote contractor work (getting such hints from recruiters sometimes). Sometimes i think that maybe i am thinking less of me and maybe i can still do this corporate style work for many years and be valued. But the older you get the less optimistic you feel about opportunities, even if you feel strong about your skills.
Happy_Secret_1299@reddit
43 here. Same boat. I’m noticing that my drive to learn new shit is lower than ever and my tolerance to on call and even climbing the corp ladder are also at all time lows.
I don’t really have a plan. But my next move will probably be management.
Doso777@reddit
Keep stacking away money in the "FU Money" fund so i can rage-quit whenever i want.
Ok_Prune_1731@reddit
That's what I do. People call it a emergency fund I call it i can quit whenever I want fund which reduces my stress by a lot
Aprice40@reddit
44 here..... after starting IT at 30 or so, 14 pushing 15 years of the endless neediness from end users, and contact switching while trying to get long difficult projects done.... I get frustrated with it soooo quickly now.
Imagine being an engineer, drawing up a blueprint, then having to stop 25 times a day to reset passwords, fix vpns, and troubleshoot new outlook.
It's a bizarre job we all work.
IT management or sales seems like a nice way to monetize the experience.
Ok_Prune_1731@reddit
The constant crying about New Outlook from end users will be the death of me.
smoothvibe@reddit (OP)
Sounds exactly like my experience. Really thinking about going another way, I just have switching roles all the times. Only like it when I can do that on my terms.
Huddy40@reddit
One of us, one of us
aolllaoooo@reddit
Turn them on and off like always
A4orce84@reddit
Who says in your mid / late 40s you have to go into management? I see a lot of replies here saying to start looking to go the manager track.
However, can’t you just stay an IC or maybe at least stay technical and try to go the Architect role?
At least at my company, once you hit Principle level / Team Lead, your options are either Management or Solutions Architect.
TechieSpaceRobot@reddit
So sad to see all those comments about people settling or sucking it up while waiting for retirement. Sounds like a horrible way to spend life.
Bro, do the thing you love to do. If you're happy being a generalist, then do that. But you're a seasoned professional, so maybe go get paid more at a company that values your contribution and doesn't stress you out. The role like that will take time to find, but it's out there. Flex on your personal network and start looking.
In the meantime , I think you've earned yourself a nice vacation. Do something that will restore your adrenals and heal your body. Spend time alone in the woods with no phone. Get reconnected back to the earth and your body. After that, you'll come back calm and centered. The BS won't bother you as much.
Good luck.
Konowl@reddit
Management unfortunately. It gets kinda old to become a SME in something then watch it become deprecated and move onto the next thing again etc. Brain full.
ErikTheEngineer@reddit
I'm at 50 this year. I'm working at an interesting job and getting paid pretty well, but I know it's only a matter of time before I'm cut. I think my next move is going to be somewhere more stable if I can find something...because God help anyone trying to find a job after getting fired at 55 or so. It sucks...every other profession values experience and maxes out compensation right around retirement age, but tech early-retires people and leaves them hanging. I only have to make it 9.5 more years to get at my retirement accounts, so that's something (assuming the economy/country doesn't become a smoking hole in the ground.) I have to make it another 17 years to full retirement age, so hopefully I can find some low-key state or local government job that wouldn't be as bad about age discrimination.
amc722@reddit
Read up on Rule of 55 to access retirement funds - may only need 5 years.
ErikTheEngineer@reddit
I have - the catch is that you're only able to withdraw from your final 401(k). I only started working at this job 4 years ago, all my retirement money is rolled over from other employers into IRAs. I know they're protecting people from being idiots and smashing the piggy bank early, but that rule seems tailor-made for one specific situation -- an employee who started working in high school, worked with the same company their whole life, had a pension, had the company turn it into a 401(k) when that was the thing to do, then fired the person when they turned 55.
Either way, it's not ideal to be forced to retire at 55...some teachers I know here in NY can retire at 55 with a full pension and it's enough. Everyone else like us on DIY plans would be in real trouble. With life expectancy only going up, having to start early is a very bad thing...it must be scary getting to the end, like 80 or 82, still being healthy, and getting the last distribution out of your investments to zero out your accounts.
Curtains6996@reddit
What was I supposed to.do
The_Long_Blank_Stare@reddit
42; manager of two employees (a SysAdmin and a Support Tech). Both great guys, and managing them is easy because we have a sort of democratic take on the ticketing system (always check when notified of a new ticket/take it if it’s primarily in your wheelhouse or it’s an easy win and you have time). That being said, Upper Manglement is expecting us to be experts at everything and we have no structural discipline above me in the chain of command to teach/enforce boundaries at the company—we get asked to do AV/support ReMarkable tablets/assemble carts/all sorts of zany stuff that’s a time suck, and of course as it’s a small-ish company, Manglement is keen on keeping everyone happy, so it’s “Yeah IT, go take care of that for them.” I’m ready more than anyone to specialize with some cross-training for redundancy, but until our management gets keen on telling people that they’re requests are just that—requests and not needs—we won’t ever get there in terms of specializing in different areas. We’ll just be firefighters, putting out hundreds of tiny fires all over the company every week.
Pineapple-Due@reddit
I did a lateral into automation. All the fun of problem solving with none of the late night panic calls.
Also being a generalist is super helpful for writing cross team automation
directorofit@reddit
smoothvibe@reddit (OP)
Good for you. Sounds like something that could fit for me too, to be able to be hands on when I like to.
skiitifyoucan@reddit
Mid 40–They’ve tried to make me a manager but I can’t do my work and manage people at the same time. And I’m more useful at getting things done than managing. If I could tolerate this 10 more years I can seriously think about doing a less intense job I enjoy more.
newbietofx@reddit
U don't have work problem. U have skill issue. I bet ur workers r working remote and they r cheap and not local.
I'm 47. I can almost fix bug in the front end. Can debug backend. Mern stack but using postgresql. No problem with infra terraform or sdk. Can handle network and laptop with adds and did I mention I have cissp and pass both speciality security and network for aws? Can do security audits on laptops, aws iam policy if I can squeeze time.
I'm an individual contributer. U have a skill problem with ur juniors. Raise pay or prepare to have turnovers using kpi.
smoothvibe@reddit (OP)
They are 100% on site, we don't have telework. And no, we only have one "cheap" supporter, one trainer and three engineers which are quite well paid, but yes they lack some skills. We are trying to source another one, but despite offering a good pay it seems virtually impossible for us to find anyone with a good skillset as we compete against well known brands and employers.
newbietofx@reddit
Get them to write scripts to automate their task.
Well paid engineers shouldn't need to fight fire
first_lvr@reddit
Try to not get fired, things are rough out there
smoothvibe@reddit (OP)
They won't, I got best ratings from my boss which knows that I'm an asset for them. We also try to source one more engineer, but can't seem to find anyone suitable and the suitable ones just don't apply or if they did, many cancelled even the first get-to-know meeting because they found something else.
malikto44@reddit
I've seen people I worked with at F500 places doing mall santa jobs last month. That was sobering. I'm just thankful that a previous boss found me a job.
Luxtaposition@reddit
Get a job. Unemployed here
Polar_Ted@reddit
54 and 25 years in IT. No more moves up left where I am unless I move into management so that's the plan. It's that or.make a lateral move to Architect when ours retires and be content with that till I die.
anima-vero-quaerenti@reddit
Learning everything I can about AI from an admin/applied applications POV.
jleahul@reddit
Landed in a well paid, low stress position. Just going to keep my head down and try to avoid promotions for the next 20 years.
Shadeflayer@reddit
Turned 60 in August. Hanging in there until 62 then I’m done for good.
Smoking-Posing@reddit
I'm in a similar boat. Hovering around mid 40s and I'm wondering if I even want to keep moving up the ladder. I don't like dealing with VIPs and I know with the number of clients our MSP has, that would definitely be a requirement for upper management.
hdjsusjdbdnjd@reddit
45 year old generalist that went into MGMT. By 50, I'll have enough that I can grab a min wage to tide me over till 60 and retire. Or work till 55 and shut it down.
flimspringfield@reddit
"Welcome to Wal-Mart!"
Cheomesh@reddit
Keep plugging along.
Sea_Fault4770@reddit
I'll be 45 at the end of June. Worked MSP for about 17 years and hated it. Now I'm the IT Director at a small law firm. I get along with mostly everyone. I spent a decade with them as their main POC at the MSP. I was there for 8 hours once a week. 80 employees. We have an MSP that backs me up when I take time off or can't immediately fix the issue. I might just stay here. I work from home at least one day a week and only need to put in 7.5 hrs each day. If I get in early, I leave early. Pay is good. People leave me alone. I create policies to keep up with our bank clients. If I did end up leaving, I would probably go security.
imjustasking123@reddit
Near identical story. Decent retirement built up. Hoping for wfh into early retirement at a fraction of hours and salary.
I've given up on becoming leadership even tho my title is director.
salazka@reddit
Message to all those reading at the age of 45, and all those who are younger than that, you better have already started materializing your plans at the age of 45, because after 50 you are screwed! :P
Farking_Bastage@reddit
I don't know if it will last forever, but I'm trying to stay right where I'm currently working. It's a great role, I have no complaints about it. That being said, I *really* need to figure out what to do for retirement.
nut-sack@reddit
If I can shut up and not get fired for another 5 years ill be ready to retire.
V0lkswagenbus@reddit
Buying rental real estate on the side. Eventually that income will surpass my active income and then I can retire. Look up the BiggerPockets podcast, that’s how I learned everything. All free.
vdh1979@reddit
I ended up lucking out and getting a job a few months ago at a large pharma as a Systems Engineer II. I had taken a break from management and resharpen my tech skills but given my age I think it's time to go back to management.
Meat_1778@reddit
Leach this place for every penny I can. Only move into management if my underlings are slave labor contractors. I don’t give a shite about a full time employees “five year plan”. If that doesn’t work out, go mow lawns.
ronin_cse@reddit
I just turned 40 and I'm getting a business degree and gonna try to shift to management. I'm getting old so who knows how far up the chain I can get but I'm gonna try and find out.
m0henjo@reddit
I'm also mid-40s and am hoping I can survive to retirement without making career-limiting statements or otherwise get myself cancelled.
In seriousness though, the last 6-7 years of my career my main focus has been chasing money so that I can do more fun things on weekends and in retirement. I've been hyper-focused on both learning new things and technical training. I've attained a dozen-ish cert's for my own achievement whoring, acquired a masters degree through an employee education reimbursement program, and am always looking around for what my next financial step up will be.
At the end of the day, i'm being extremely selfish.
Hi_Im_Ken_Adams@reddit
Your number one goal is to avoid having your job be outsourced to India.
funkyfreak2018@reddit
Late 30s here. I'll stay in the field but probably going the consulting/freelance route. I want to be able to work when I want to and where I want to. I've always been in networking but plan to add cloud and automation skills in my toolbox. From what I'm observing, they expect you to know a bit of everything these days to connect the dots in the infrastructure
dsco88@reddit
36 - just keep learning and looking for new challenges. When I stop learning and days become the same thing day-in-day-out, I move on (usually every three years, give or take) 🙃
Gotta stay engaged, complacency is a recipe for laziness and (potential) disaster.
PaceFar4747@reddit
Bought a motorbike to make the 3 days i have to go into the office more interesting, take the long way home, blast heavy metal and reset for the next day.
drawnbutter@reddit
Well, since I'd have to go backward in time more than I'm willing to admit to be near my mid-40s, I'd buy a shitload of bitcoin because I don't know anything about stocks. I also wouldn't buy that one HP laptop that a hinge broke on 2 days after it was out of warranty and I would have filed for divorce a helluva a lot sooner.
OK, seriously, when you get older you go one of two ways. Either you become more mellow or you become more easily stressed. If you want to remain a generalist then you must learn to relax. Maybe look into seeing a therapist. That, along with bouncing back and forth between programming, devops and sysadmin jobs over the years definitely helped me maintain a tenuous grip on my sanity.
JazzlikeSurround6612@reddit
I've been trying the last few years to force myself to care less, be more chill and relax but it's hard. It's like the opposite of my nature but I know if I don't I'm going to tap out.
drawnbutter@reddit
I understand, but it's not so much a case of not caring less, but more of keeping things in perspective.
Is it really THAT important? Is someone going to die because of it? Is the company going to close?
The answer is almost always a firm NO,
That's what really works for me when I have a frustrating work problem. But it took working with a therapist to go from recognizing what I needed to do, to actually being able to do it.
JazzlikeSurround6612@reddit
That's a really good point / perspective. So many times I've checked or worried about stuff after hours that frankly could wait just because of my obssessive nature.
I see what you mean it's not really caring less because I'd still be happy and available for a major critical issue.
mraweedd@reddit
This change of scenery has really brought me a newfound joy for my profession.
fieroloki@reddit
Die at my desk
idigg69@reddit
Bro
DenverITGuy@reddit
If you enjoy being technical, stay in a technical role. Managerial roles are not for everyone and just because you’re past a certain age, you shouldn’t assume it’s an automatic next step.
I work with a lot of guys in their 50’s+ that are SME’s in their technology. Really smart guys. Also looking to hang around until retirement. Have seen a handful of them leave for other jobs, as well.
I see myself going that path as managerial/administrative roles are not my thing.
techgirl67@reddit
I moved from sys admin to assistant director of IT a few years ago. Still have my hands in a few systems but I manage a small team now. I try to hire smart people and let them do the heavy lifting these days. My goal is to hold on for 7 more years and then retire. Counting down the days.
SecurePackets@reddit
Every morning… drink espresso while looking at the retirement portfolio I built while dealing with all the crap of emergencies that ruined many of my family vacations and personal time.
Thanks to all the bad manager over the years for treating our teams so poorly and motivating me to focus on retirement at such a young age.
Verukins@reddit
48 here.... i specialized is the MS infra stack (so not one product, but also not a generalist - somewhere in the middle).... and its got tougher over the past 10-ish years due to the plummeting quality of MS products and non-existent support.
Been in management before and never want to do that again. I also do quite a bit of security work - but don't want to specialise in that - too boring.
Maybe similar to you, i don't feel like there are any great options. I'm use to being the most senior tech - and therefore doing all the design/implementation work and last line support.... but because there's effectively no-where i can go to get help or support - I'm dis-heartened with technical work.... don't want to be in management, would take a massive pay-cut if switched careers.... so im kinda just counting down the clock
Rare_Inspector2868@reddit
I am entering my 50th Bday soon. I feel that it's too late for certification an all. For some reason I feel time is just running out now.. I want to enjoy the rest of my life, but currently working for a large grocery chain. 74 stores and I am the Sr. Network Engineer. I feel that I can't handle all the project on my own. I design, configure and on top drive to the store to install.
RhapsodyCaprice@reddit
37, leading a team of IT engineers in the infrastructure space. I really enjoy what I do and even after ten or so years at the same place, I'm still learning and growing. Assuming that the leaders I keep learning from stick around, I'll be happy to stay here until retirement.
Leg0z@reddit
I am 45 now. My plan is to try not to die before 65 so I can make sure my kids are into adulthood and don't "need me" need me. I go to a lot of doctors visits just to make sure that happens. Then hopefully I'll find an affordable country to retire in. Maybe Mexico or Cambodia is still affordable then. There's no way in hell I'm spending my last days poor and in the American health system.
As far as my career goes. Maybe I'll go into management maybe I won't. I just hope I don't have to put up with an asshole for 10 years before I retire.
TheBear_25@reddit
Getting out of IT.
And i havent even been in it long at all, . But the way things are going - its great to have it as a strong backup skill which can be utilised elsewhere as it greatly compliments so many other industries but as a stand alone i worry.
As i get older, im looking for stability, if i was in my 20s then it would be different
Mustard_Popsicles@reddit
I actually stuck with IT because it provides stability and growth. Everyone is different, but it just comes down to perspective.
Negative_Comb_9638@reddit
The same. I’m building up reserves to risk, in a near future, something more meaningful.
zakabog@reddit
I feel pretty stable in my job, my role isn't going anywhere, I don't feel threatened by someone fresh out of college stealing my job, I make great money and have amazing benefits for minimal work. I couldn't imagine a better place to be as I approach retirement age.
hemohes222@reddit
I am 42 and started 3 years ago in IT. Loving it so far
IAN4421974@reddit
I am 50, been at my job 21 years l, 18 in my current position. I have a steady workload that is controlled by other departments that keeps it at a very nice pace, plus I work alone on my own shift.
I plan to keep coming to work and to keep working until my body decides otherwise and in that process if my ex wife drops dead first then maybe I'll look at retirement since she won't be able to take any of it from me anymore.
Came home to my house early one night, found her with her new guy and my kids all watching tv in our living room. I didn't shout, didn't argue. Just turned around and walked outside and called my dad. He said take photos of everyone, their vehicles and license plates. Do not make a fuss or argue. Leave and contact a lawyer which is exactly what I did.
I still would have to give her 50 percent of my pension for 13 years in spite of the law in PA telling me otherwise according to the divorce master (judge) in my case. So I will work until I drop dead and my plan is to use Science Care to come scoop me up and dispose of me when the time comes. No funeral, no burial, no cremation. Take the body and science experiments it is.
Tech_Mix_Guru111@reddit
With the young crowd unable to RTFM or complete a task fully, I’d say you’re right where you need to be. Pull back on overly mentoring anyone and ride it out
Major_Canary5685@reddit
I’m only 23 and I’m feeling this as a system admin. Developed generalized anxiety disorder and trying to deal with things naturally cause meds don’t work for me. (Working out, spending more time with family and friends, taking longer breaks, etc)
I can’t imagine feeling this same way at 45, it seems like early retirement would be beneficial taking that it doesn’t seem like it goes away.
DogThatGoesBook@reddit
Keep getting paid, ride my Bianchi, drive my BMW M135, solve interesting problems in
thedigitel@reddit
Retire ASAP is my plan
ZaetaThe_@reddit
Hope I have something terminal-- idk, but that's just me already
Mac_to_the_future@reddit
I turn 40 next month and my plan is to stay in networking, but add some extra skills like security to broaden my skillset; my organization is happy to pay for the training, so I’m taking them up on it.
I’ve seen a lot of friends and colleagues around my age start getting into management, but I’ll paraphrase the conversation between Emil Blonsky and General Ross from Incredible Hulk 2008:
“Mac, how old are you, 45?” “39” “Takes a toll doesn’t it?” “Yes it does.” “So get out of the trenches; you should be a CIO by now with your record.” “No, I’m an engineer and I’ll be one for as long as I can.”
sobeitharry@reddit
Applying my generalist knowledge to cybersecurity. GRC, security manager, auditor, CISO, not sure yet. I'm just loving the area and excited to move into it. Knocking out certs and putting in applications have been my hobby the last few months.
sobeitharry@reddit
Applying my generalist knowledge to cybersecurity. GRC, security manager, auditor, CISO, not sure yet. I'm just loving the area and excited to move into it. Knocking out certs and putting in applications have been my hobby the last few months.
SkyeC123@reddit
I’m a similar age, country IT leader for some big sites, big company.
Could be a lot of stress but I do what I can in the day and move on. My company and team are very supportive so I take my PTO often, and since it’s 6-7 weeks a year, it’s really nice. WFH a few days, on site a couple. Travel a bit. It’s not bad.
I’m thankful to be in a technical role and. It reliant on my body for work. I keep in shape but getting older is getting older.
kitkat-ninja78@reddit
I'm approx your age, a hands-on IT Manager for a small team (all together there is 5 of us) - for a medium to large organisation. But in essence, I am also an IT generalist. Do I think that I can continue this job until I retire? I don't know, probably not, not unless I either specialise or become a pure IT Manager. I can't see myself lugging PC's and servers around, doing cabling, etc in my 50's and 60's. I don't think I can physically keep on doing that. Added to that, the constant development that I undertake every year just to continually upskill is also taking a toll... Anywhere from 300-600 hours of CPD every various kinds every year, whether it's management related, IT/technology related, or sector related - to either keep up to date or to support how my role has evolved over the years (and continues to).
The other option I have is to become a college or university lecturer full time (I'm already an associate lecturer part time), but I see the state of education at the moment, and I'm not sure if that is a viable option - added to that, there would be a pay cut which would also effect my pension (going from having two jobs to one).
I guess the path I'm trying to do is to become a lotto winner...
TC271@reddit
I'm 42 and kinda feel like things are ramping up.
Changed course from a generalist to a network engineer at 39 and haven't looked back. Much more money and far less people to deal with. Can spend days down a rabbithole working with standards based technology I enjoy.
Passed my Juniper and Cisco professional level ceets and now really getting python scripting
Happy where I am (regional ISP) but will see what's up next year.
Mae-7@reddit
Move to a field where it is WFH friendly. That is the goal, will even take a pay cut if so.
Plasmanz@reddit
I reached the same point a few years ago after 20 years of being hands on the passion has faded and the stress seemed worse. So now I manage a small team, still hard to let the work go but I trust them to do what's needed and make sure I'm avaliable to provide them support.
Downside though is more meetings now.
sharpied79@reddit
I'm about to turn 46. I left IT three years ago. I had been in IT for nearly 25 years at that point (started at 18), finally working my way up to the role of IT Manager for a medium-sized charity.
My wife started her own business four years ago, designing and building bespoke plywood kitchens for customers. I now assist her running the business, haven't looked back, can't say I miss it that much...
Hopefully, we can keep this business going for a few more years after that? Who knows... Early retirement if I am lucky...
JazzlikeSurround6612@reddit
So you'd recommend getting a lil sugar momma to work for?
FamousAcanthaceae149@reddit
Just turned 40 a few months ago. Im still working a variety with my focus on Azure. Perhaps find an MSP that needs and develops broad skillsets.
Immortal_Elder@reddit
Same boat- The small company I've been with for many years was bought out by a PE firm. The future is uncertain at this point.
bobs143@reddit
To keep working. Then eventually retire. Someday.
xabrol@reddit
I am currently 40. I'm a generalist, but am primarily a software engineer and solution architect, so while I do sysadmin stuff, create/manage cloud environments, and on and on from time to time, I'm usually architecting solutions or writing code. I'm a full stack software engineer and dev ops engineer, with a background in sysadmin (desktop admin) and networking (pc repair etc too).
I'm generalist to the core, but lean more into development side of things, I can do darn near anything, including install radios in cars and wire houses.
Over the years I've moved out of more sysadmin work and way more into programming and am currently a Senior Solution Architect and working towards Principal Software Engineer. I was recently offered a Director of Software Engineer somewhere, I don't want to work there, but I might lean into more managerial stuff as I age more.