ARRGH a release of frustration.....

[frostillicus123]

So as most of you are aware I work for Convergys which contracts support for Microsoft, and when I first joined Sly bald guys I support Microsoft Windows XP/Vista, than was promoted to tier 2 doing Escalation/Research/Consult. Well in March Microsoft pulled their Windows Support out of North America, the only support provided in NA is provided from Internal Microsoft. This happened while I was on vacation moving into my newly purchased house.
With that lost my job was still secure, Convergys got a New Client for New Glasgow site, Comcast and we still had Microsoft Customer Support and Microsoft Office. I moved over to Office and was able to maintain my “Microsoft Status”. Well early last week we were told we are now losing Office.  Now all office support will be done in India as well.
Once again my job is still secure, I could move to CC, Comcast or Cigna which is operated at another site here in New Glasgow about a block up the road. Now I enjoyed my job as Windows and Office support, I got to learn a lot of awesome stuff, I know the OS like the back of my hand, and Office is now a piece of cake. 
What’s the Major malfunction you ask??
Well I basically allowed myself to fall into a rut, thinking my job was secure and I would enjoy it for the most part, however the proverbial rug was pulled out from under my feet twice and I landed hard on my backside.
So now my dilemma do I continue working for Convergys trying to get into management like I’ve been trying with no success for the last year, I have not even gotten as far as interview, I just get the PFO letter letting me know I am not qualified for management (my first job as an adult was a meat manager which I did successfully for 3 years). Or do I move on and find something a little more suiting.
Frankly I would like to find something a little more suiting for my education level. However the kick in the junk is…New Glasgow doesn’t have anything my education is good enough for. For example, I cannot work for children’s aid society because they require a degree or human service certificate with major in Child and youth, my major was correctional services. (One of my faculty advisors for Corrections was on the committee that developed Child and Youth Care). The only other thing in town that I have the skills to do is working for the Police Department however I do not have a policing course which is a prerequisite for employment. Now I believe I have a good majority of the skills needed, except for firearm and vehicle handling (which I understand are both major parts of the job).
And doing something technical is completely out of the question seeing as how I have no certificates in computers besides the worthless certificates Convergys prints out. Toilet paper holds more value.
A possible solution to the matter is Appling for the police departments of 2 of Canada’s fastest growing cities. Edmonton and Calgary both cities are looking for Officers like mad. The problem here is, that if I go out there I go out alone, I have friends out there but I’ll be leaving my house, and my dog and my girlfriend. Which might do one of two things, make us stronger or completely break us up.
Thanks for listening……

[Tyler]

I'd say that you should stick with your current company for now to buy you some time to be picky as to what you want to do.  Also, there's a ton of people around the world that would love your knowledge on MS Vista and Office.  Why don't you start a blog/forum to help people?  You could then use advertising and charging for private support to supplement your income.

[andrew]

Interesting idea offered by Tyler ...    adding google hooks to your site could generate some revenue as well.

I've seen people with an OS support background progress to network support and server support positions, in my travels.   Get a few books, do some intense studying, and pass the MCSE tests.  That certification is in high demand these days by employers.  Your background in OS support is a great stepping stone to the server versions of windows as well as supporing other server-based products, like SQL Server, Exchange Server, IIS, etc ...

[PigPen]

Frosty, I can sympathize. I'm in a little bit of the same spot. I enjoy my job and the people I work with. Two problems, one of my co-workers is a pain in the @$$. There also some parts of the job I don't enjoy like I used to. But enough about me, this is your thread.

I think Tyler had some great ideas for you. Is there possibly a small private firm you could do some consulting for/with? Sometimes the local companies like that are more apt to give you the chance with your kind of experience.

[frostillicus123]

my issue is..... I do not think i'm technical enough for corporate world.... I could just help small businees and home users, and i don't think i could make much of a living in my Town.

[Tyler]

my issue is..... I do not think i'm technical enough for corporate world.... I could just help small businees and home users, and i don't think i could make much of a living in my Town.

Expand to all of Canada.  There's tools that will allow you to support people remotely, like Webex and GoToMeeting.  You can focus on Small Biz and Personal users.

[frostillicus123]

hmmm....there is an idea.

[andrew]

my issue is..... I do not think i'm technical enough for corporate world.... I could just help small businees and home users, and i don't think i could make much of a living in my Town.

Don't sell yourself short, Frosti ...    I have found that developing software for small businesses is much more difficult than doing so for small businesses.  The smaller ones want to squeeze blood out of a stone, yet the larger corporations are often more realistic about time-frames and paying appropriate rates.  Also, small businesses are more prone to having cash-flow issues and either paying slowly or trying to stiff you.  I refuse work from small businesses regularly.

I've read some of your postings, where you've provided technical support to people, and have been impressed.  Perhaps if you could locate a consulting firm that offers services like the ones you're providing now, you could get some exposure to their clients, and maybe get a job with one of those companies afterward.   Also, maybe they'd pay for some training, to get an MCSE (or other cert) and then they could place you in other types of client assignments.

[Alexander215]

Move to Halifax bro, lots of tech companies looking for 1337 characters

[frostillicus123]

what is 1337 characters? and i hate halifax.


and I still have that job at Cigna. and wow what a twisted system man.... it's racketeering at it's best, you pay us and we will consider paying your medical expenses.... wow man so twisted.

[PianoMan]

Frosty,

I'm an IT recruiter and have been for over the majority of my career.  Both Tyler and Andrew have good points.  I'm not sure how long you've been at your current company, but I would stick with it.  Beyond the trainng that your company is giving you, look into other Microsoft certs.  Have a talk with your current manager about your desire to improve to see if they will work with you.  It'll show your commitment to the company and perhaps they'll help $$ for certs like and MCP.   
The opportunities in software/hardware support are endless, and a great way to gain experience for other infrastructure based positions.  PM me if you'd like to talk. 

Dan

[Alexander215]

what is 1337 characters? and i hate halifax.


and I still have that job at Cigna. and wow what a twisted system man.... it's racketeering at it's best, you pay us and we will consider paying your medical expenses.... wow man so twisted.

1337, as in Elite, wikipedia it. Major point for Halifax being it has a couple dozen IT firms including RIM [Research in Motion, think blackberries] And they are all starving for talented techs

[champ007]

I direct you to the following read published in 1998.
http://www.amazon.com/Who-Moved-My-Cheese-Amazing/dp/0399144463