Ever had to completely reinvent yourself??

If you don't really like programming, then you should seriously, seriously consider transferring over to a BA role. You know the code, you know the system, you know the requirements. Don't underestimate the power of your accumulated knowledge.

Plus, as a developer, you will know what assholes BAs are, and you can sorta not be that asshole.
 
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My general nature is that I love to reinvent periodically, which I guess explains the tattoo I am getting on Friday. I dont do well if I feel like I am getting in a rut. I have had to do it professionally a few times. The good thing was, I was younger and didnt have as much responsibility to others. The older I get, it gets a lot scarier for sure. I can completely understand your concerns.

I guess on the good side, you have time until they can even consider being without you. That time can be used to either look around at what else is going on or to make sure to get in good with the right people in your company. I dont remember what your company is but if it is a good place, they may be willing to find something different for you. Or, you may actually find something that really fires you up and you make the change.

Either way, you know we all have your back. Hang in there Dave.
 
I reinvented myself in 1998; graduating from college at 46. My career got a boost at age 50 when I completed my Masters. More recently, I have reinvented myself as adjunct faculty at Salter College. It isn't always easy, and I often start at the bottom of the ladder, but have quickly moved back up.

Mojo and best of luck.
 
Dave- you could always change your name to a symbol. Then we could all call you, "formerly known as Dave".
 
I know exactly how you feel. It is a scary ledge to be standing on. Really though in the programming realm, I have faith that you could learn the new languages and do well. But as others have said, if you really don't like it, it might be time to start moving away from the tech side and more into the Business Side.

If you need to to talk it thorugh, you know where we are and you can call anytime - before 9pm EST, of course. :wink:
 
I'll pile on the bandwagon with trying to take some courses and come up to speed with the new programming language.

And/or take the 4 courses remaining that you need to finish your degree.

Seems that both of these would make you more valuable to both your current employer and any other potential employers. Plus, a year from now you'll also have some experience on your resume as the department manager.
 
So I guess full time rock and roller is off the table?

I've done a little reinvention over the years, but always in the same general context of working at a university (system admin, part-time faculty, department director, etc.), usually related to technology. You can probably find other ways to be of benefit to your organization or another. Matt Burnside makes a lot of sense when he suggests looking at BA roles.
 
2manband said:
I'll pile on the bandwagon with trying to take some courses and come up to speed with the new programming language.

And/or take the 4 courses remaining that you need to finish your degree.

Seems that both of these would make you more valuable to both your current employer and any other potential employers. Plus, a year from now you'll also have some experience on your resume as the department manager.
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I should probably add this one point - I am picking up a lot of the manager's duties but not the title. We are not replacing our manager. Our finance VP is taking over the supervisor parts of the department. He spent 20 + years at IBM and has a computer science degree so he is very well qualified. I get more responsibilities and more work for the same money and title. But I still have a job....
 
PunkKitty said:
Mojo.

I got laid off from my last job 2.5 years ago. I'm only trained in legacy systems. If I'm lucky I get a phone interview. It seems that no one wants to hire people in their late 40's. It doesn't help that I'm my mom's primary caretaker.

I'd like to go back and get a certificate in a different career path. But I don't have a clue what I want to do. And working with Mom doesn't leave me much time to myself. I feel totally lost.
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Mojo back your way, PK. Sadly this is becoming common. My brother is a very young looking 54 year old IT guy, but has only managed a few short term contracts the last 2 years. He has had some great interviews, but they kept hiring younger people. I told him to remove the dates from the Education section of his resume, which has helped a little.

As for taking care of Mom, that is such a demanding, life altering situation that most people don't understand. Being unemployed might open up some doors for state assistance to help care for her. That is social worker territory, so I'm lost on how to get it going, but it isn't impossible either. Hang in there, and super mojo to you for doing the right thing by her.
 
It's threads like this that give me the willies. I'm two years away from the big five oh and currently sysadmin for a large company. Just this past week, a guy who is much younger than I and was hired a year after I was got promoted to the engineering group. This february it will be year seven with this company and there's really no way to go in this company but engineering or out - and there's been a salary freeze for a couple years now. I dread looking for a job but the position I have now pays okay enough and I do well enough at the job but I keep thinking I could do something else (what I don't know) for more pay. I did one of those IT Boot Camp things a few years ago that leveled up my certifications and with my experience and certs I know a lot but I'm not a programmer, I'm not really management and training budgets get cut almost right away so right where I am at is about the best I can manage at the moment.
 
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