Anyone actually like being a tech?

[bilyahn]

I have to agree with the comments above. I have been doing this for 8 years now and love it. Prior to this I had 12 jobs in 20 years ranging from a casino employee (good job had a lot of fun) to a correctional officer (sucky job but good benefits) covering 4 states. Never worked or lived anywhere in my life for more than 3-1/2 years until I found this job. I'm very lucky as an only employee, my boss and his wife treat me very well and have done everything in their power to ensure that I am happy with them. I don't get paid a lot or have benefits of any kind but I wouldn't give up this job or my boss for anything and the best thing about it is I know they feel the same way about me.

[cobiray]

If it's not your game, it's not your game. If you don't like broccoli, you're not going to buy it at the grocery store. If you really hate the job and not the ancillary crap that goes with it (troubled machines, two faced salespersons, unplease-able customers) then you need to get out. I had a friend who worked in a warehouse job for 8 years because the money and incentives were so good. Sounds good, but it made him miserable to his wife and friends. It affected his life outside of the time he spent at work. If it's affecting you outside of 8-5 then you need to move on for yourself if no one else. I agree there are times when the weight of the job is immense and seems like it will never end. The grass is always greener on the other side.

I've been there with all the comments about the bad economy, no raises/increases in 2-3 years, everything is more expensive, health insurance costs are rising.... it seems like it can only get worse. I assure you most of the people on here are in a similar state right now. It's not horrible, but it could always be better. I recently sent out a few resumes and took a few interviews for industry related jobs. None of them were field service and I realized the upside of those jobs had to be really high to get past the fact I like what I do. No one likes crazy/whiny/annoying customers, misguided sales staffs, and all the other stuff that one might dislike about the job. The fact of the matter is you are going to have those things no matter what you are doing. There is always going to be something that isn't pleasant about a j-o-b.

It all comes down to how much you can put up with. When the minuses out weigh the pluses in a job, you need to start looking.

[BigBob]

haha, great stories everyone, thanks for the perk up

[prntrfxr]

I found that when I don't like a job, I sit down and write down what I don't like about it. On the other side of the paper I write what I do. Then I evaluate how or if it is possible to do more of what I like and less of what I don't. I like teaching people and I like the satisfaction of working on machines, but dislike not making it like new when I leave. I don't like the time pressure and I don't like traveling in traffic (some techs love this). Since so much of the job is that, I tried to find a way to get to do teaching and working on machines without traveling and without the constant pressure. I went to work for a vendor. I am a supervisor here because I have a lot of field experience, so I train a lot of people (+ for me) but I don't travel (+). There is still time pressure but it's not on every call (+). The majority of what I do is not repair, but make like new (+). I deal with technicians every day, so I don't deal with end-users who haven't a clue (+). I have good lighting, I don't have to struggle with tools and parts in elevators (+).

Don't get me wrong, I have learned that there are negatives I wasn't aware of at the time I made my decision, but I'm a lot happier. Find out if there is anything you like about your job and focus on that. If you can't find anything and your negatives are far greater than the positives, follow the advise of your fellow techs and find a new job. Wish you the best.

[mikadonovan]

I have found that in this field, the amount of responsibility given an individual will only increase, despite what your compensation is. With the responsibility comes stress, and if you can deal with the stress the responsibility doesn't seem as great. Solutions could include working out every day, yoga, or even a psychiatrist. I prefer to use beer.

[ccwilliams3]

I love servicing copier machines, if your good at what you do and friendly most customers are happy to see you. Your making everyone you deal life better after dealing with them most of the time. I do hate certain copiers and all Ricoh copiers but I enjoy servicing copiers its my way of living a life of service. The alcohol and yoga do help after a bad day though, it is important to find that balance that works for you and not to let the work take away from your overall mental health.

[Shadow1]

+1 for the beer.

[prntrfxr]

beer is good as long as it's not too much, because that can cause other problems.
1) habit forming
2) you get stupid when you're drunk
3) affects family life

I personally prefer video games that let you carry a really big gun. Blowing up things and shooting people in the game is better than doing it in real life.

You could learn a musical instrument. I play guitar sometimes, that's a good stress reliever.

Some of the guys here have motorcycles, hot rods, or old cars that they work on.

Some are workout fanatics.

Find something that works for you.

[SCREWTAPE]

Love my disposition as a tech. Love the freedom and the working in the city amongst snobs.LOL
I hate D.F.U's (Dumb F*#!ing Users) though.

[Fearless V K]

I personally prefer video games that let you carry a really big gun. Blowing up things and shooting people in the game is better than doing it in real life.

Matter of opinion.