Ok, this has been fun, what's next?
April 8, 2010 6:05 PM Subscribe
I think it's time to look for a new job. The problem is, I'm not sure what I want to do next, and I don't know how my skills translate. Long explanation inside.
In my current position, I support a software package that my company uses for regulatory compliance. I've been here for 10 years. I started as a data entry person, moved on to doing user support, and have been leading software upgrade projects for the last 6 years as well as supervising the user support team. Most recently I collaborated with the software vendor on the design of a new software module. I have gained business process experience and project management skills along the way.
I've been considering my future at this company and it seems limited because I seem to be in a very specific niche. I'm also burned out and disillusioned about my work, and not happy with the direction we're headed in. Ideally, we'd have a vision for the future of our software and we'd develop it and someone (well, me) would be responsible for ensuring that all projects aligned with that vision. However, we're going in a million directions, no one cares about support and documentation, and it's driving me nuts.
Anyway, it feels like it's time to move on, but I don't really know what kind of job I should be looking for.
I think my strengths are in working out new processes and understanding how those processes fit into the big picture. I am also really good at troubleshooting complex user support issues. Plus, I have lots of test planning experience. However, I don't have an IT education. My team doesn't follow any particular project planning process and I'm not really tapped in to whatever the current project management methodology is. I don't have any certifications. So, when I look at Business Process Analyst jobs and see Agile as a requirement I don't really know what to do.
I can see my options being: get a similar project management or business process type job somewhere else, or trying to take my skills and translate them into an entirely different type of career.
So, the questions:
What kinds of job would be the logical next step?
If I want to transition into a business process development/project management career, do I need more education or certifications?
What other kinds of jobs are there where I could use these skills?
In my current position, I support a software package that my company uses for regulatory compliance. I've been here for 10 years. I started as a data entry person, moved on to doing user support, and have been leading software upgrade projects for the last 6 years as well as supervising the user support team. Most recently I collaborated with the software vendor on the design of a new software module. I have gained business process experience and project management skills along the way.
I've been considering my future at this company and it seems limited because I seem to be in a very specific niche. I'm also burned out and disillusioned about my work, and not happy with the direction we're headed in. Ideally, we'd have a vision for the future of our software and we'd develop it and someone (well, me) would be responsible for ensuring that all projects aligned with that vision. However, we're going in a million directions, no one cares about support and documentation, and it's driving me nuts.
Anyway, it feels like it's time to move on, but I don't really know what kind of job I should be looking for.
I think my strengths are in working out new processes and understanding how those processes fit into the big picture. I am also really good at troubleshooting complex user support issues. Plus, I have lots of test planning experience. However, I don't have an IT education. My team doesn't follow any particular project planning process and I'm not really tapped in to whatever the current project management methodology is. I don't have any certifications. So, when I look at Business Process Analyst jobs and see Agile as a requirement I don't really know what to do.
I can see my options being: get a similar project management or business process type job somewhere else, or trying to take my skills and translate them into an entirely different type of career.
So, the questions:
What kinds of job would be the logical next step?
If I want to transition into a business process development/project management career, do I need more education or certifications?
What other kinds of jobs are there where I could use these skills?
This is going to sound ridiculously cynical, but I don't think you're going to find things are any better anywhere else.
In my experience, no one EVER cares about support and documentations. And since that's what I've done for a living for over 10 years now, I know how that knowledge stings.
Can you pick something small to focus on, choose a direction for, and lead the charge on that with upper management?
It might make you feel more proactive and useful. And being able to say "I took X from being a lame-ass appendix to nothing, to being a key piece of literature accessed by 100,000 users every day" looks AWESOME on a resume!
posted by ErikaB at 6:51 PM on April 8, 2010
In my experience, no one EVER cares about support and documentations. And since that's what I've done for a living for over 10 years now, I know how that knowledge stings.
Can you pick something small to focus on, choose a direction for, and lead the charge on that with upper management?
It might make you feel more proactive and useful. And being able to say "I took X from being a lame-ass appendix to nothing, to being a key piece of literature accessed by 100,000 users every day" looks AWESOME on a resume!
posted by ErikaB at 6:51 PM on April 8, 2010
Response by poster: Well, I decided not to elaborate further in the question, but the reason I want to leave is partially because management knows there's a problem and they aren't interested in doing anything about it. They just want us to get our projects released. I've done alot over the years to improve where I can (like writing documentation, reviewing other projects), it's not recognized or supported, and in the end I am just not happy anymore.
Honestly, part of it is that I want to work on something new. I could potentially support this software and its successors at this company for the next 20 years. I don't want to do that.
Now if only I knew what to do next...
posted by cabingirl at 7:08 PM on April 8, 2010
Honestly, part of it is that I want to work on something new. I could potentially support this software and its successors at this company for the next 20 years. I don't want to do that.
Now if only I knew what to do next...
posted by cabingirl at 7:08 PM on April 8, 2010
It's going to be easier to search for some sort of project management position someplace else. The number one challenge when deciding to change careers is focus and defining what you do (well, those are actually two challenges) so that a potential employer easily understands your value proposition.
It might be easiest to stick with "project manager" as a description. It's a fairly fluid and versatile term, yet easy understand - potential employers might project onto you what they're looking for, and the toughest thing about redefining your job title during a new job search is that your new job title may be difficult to understand or will not match what employers want.
You could do a couple of things right off the bat.
1) research companies where you might like to work, and determine if they are in a position to hire someone like you; try cold calling the CEO, COO, or head of software development to see what they are looking for
2) work with a recruiter to help you break into this job market
You have a lot to offer. Good luck!
posted by KokuRyu at 7:33 PM on April 8, 2010
It might be easiest to stick with "project manager" as a description. It's a fairly fluid and versatile term, yet easy understand - potential employers might project onto you what they're looking for, and the toughest thing about redefining your job title during a new job search is that your new job title may be difficult to understand or will not match what employers want.
You could do a couple of things right off the bat.
1) research companies where you might like to work, and determine if they are in a position to hire someone like you; try cold calling the CEO, COO, or head of software development to see what they are looking for
2) work with a recruiter to help you break into this job market
You have a lot to offer. Good luck!
posted by KokuRyu at 7:33 PM on April 8, 2010
"the reason I want to leave is partially because management knows there's a problem and they aren't interested in doing anything about it. They just want us to get our projects released."
Please be aware, that mentality is incredibly common, regardless of the industry you're in.
posted by 2oh1 at 7:52 PM on April 8, 2010
Please be aware, that mentality is incredibly common, regardless of the industry you're in.
posted by 2oh1 at 7:52 PM on April 8, 2010
This might be a bit of a stretch, but what you are describing fits in a Product Management role.
You could easily start doing junior PM tasks. There's so much info in the net related to this, so why dont you read a bit more about it? Product Managers exists in different verticals, not just IT.
posted by theKik at 9:11 PM on April 8, 2010
You could easily start doing junior PM tasks. There's so much info in the net related to this, so why dont you read a bit more about it? Product Managers exists in different verticals, not just IT.
posted by theKik at 9:11 PM on April 8, 2010
Since you already have some project management experience, you could look into getting a Project Management Professional (PMP) certification.
posted by spinto at 7:09 AM on April 9, 2010
posted by spinto at 7:09 AM on April 9, 2010
It may help to network. Something like an IT professionals group or a women in business meetup or an alumni networking event might let you hear what other people are doing and see if it sounds like a good next step for you. It might also lead to a connection for a new job.
The other thing you might try is look into a career development program where they test and interview you and help you decide whether to stay in the same industry or change careers entirely. Google got me this.
posted by *s at 11:02 AM on April 9, 2010
The other thing you might try is look into a career development program where they test and interview you and help you decide whether to stay in the same industry or change careers entirely. Google got me this.
posted by *s at 11:02 AM on April 9, 2010
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posted by foxjacket at 6:38 PM on April 8, 2010