Ever thought of ... different work?

[skelband]

Re: Ever thought of ... different work?

These are interesting perspectives.
I'm a recent joiner to these boards and I have been considering a move from my current career as systems programmer in a software house to something a bit more practical which is why I'm here.
To that end, I have got a couple of old copiers free from Craigslist sellers that I have been working on, upgrading, experimenting on (as some of you know) to see if it is something that I would be interested in for a change in direction. So far, I've found it fascinating and it satisfies my need for something practical whilst also exercising my problem solving skills.

My current position is with a good company with decent people, but I'm finding that the work is boring and tedious and sitting in front of a desk all day is not great for my long term health.
I might also say that I'm 52 so probably a difficult time to make a move like this.

One of the questions I was going to ask is how to get into the trade so-to-speak.
Any advice? Stay away? Do it part time? Don't touch the job with a barge pole?

[Phil B.]

Re: Ever thought of ... different work?

Phil B. angry! Yes get where you are coming from. Glad you can afford to make the move. Most of us are fearful of where the provision is going to come from.
With a family and with other responsibilities I can imagine how many guys are just coping thru the injustice. Not that I know much about family and responsibilities.
My last experience showed me how soul crushing it can be. Wish more people can be fearless and get where they need to be.

Unfortunately earlier in 2017, My mother of 96 had passed, and due to my inheritance I am monetarily able to take a break from the grind. It has been refreshing to be able to basically do as I please, and has allowed me to concentrate on some of my other interests. For example, for years I have been into prepping and firearms training, well I have been invited multiple times to attend training on Clearing building of threats, Long Distance Rifle shooting ( got to send lead flying from a .50cal BMG HOLYSHIT BATMAN!) have aided local LEO/RESCUE on two "lost child" cases and one "SilversAlert" missing persons! **All found safe n sound but rattled** but I guess the most rewarding has been my resumed visits to Fayetteville NC to the VA hosp to sit and talk with our Great Men and Women of the US Armed Forces that gave more than MOST in our quest for freedom. I am sooo humbled being in the same room with them.... But the SMILES and 'Hello's' from everyone there make the 50mile trek WELL WORTH my time and Gas!

I guess what I am trying to say is.... even tho, we think we have a limited amount of skills, IF 'you' ** not U specifically ** try and think about it we can do just about anything.. because we have: Logic-Work Ethic and people skills to take us anywhere we want to go.... it's just learning the "ins-outs" of that new position... NEVER SELL YOURSELF SHORT!

[tonerhead]

Re: Ever thought of ... different work?

30 years now. I'm stuck for the long run now. Would have gotten out sooner but needed to feed my family when I started.

My only consolation is all copier repair men/women go to heaven, because we've already been through hell on earth.

[Phil B.]

Re: Ever thought of ... different work?

30 years now. I'm stuck for the long run now. Would have gotten out sooner but needed to feed my family when I started.

My only consolation is all copier repair men/women go to heaven, because we've already been through hell on earth.

I had +1 on ya b4 I jumped.

[tonerhead]

Re: Ever thought of ... different work?

These are interesting perspectives.
I'm a recent joiner to these boards and I have been considering a move from my current career as systems programmer in a software house to something a bit more practical which is why I'm here.
To that end, I have got a couple of old copiers free from Craigslist sellers that I have been working on, upgrading, experimenting on (as some of you know) to see if it is something that I would be interested in for a change in direction. So far, I've found it fascinating and it satisfies my need for something practical whilst also exercising my problem solving skills.

My current position is with a good company with decent people, but I'm finding that the work is boring and tedious and sitting in front of a desk all day is not great for my long term health.
I might also say that I'm 52 so probably a difficult time to make a move like this.

One of the questions I was going to ask is how to get into the trade so-to-speak.
Any advice? Stay away? Do it part time? Don't touch the job with a barge pole?

You will never get rich from it. It used to be (when I started) they wanted electronic experience or degree. Now days they want a computer background or degree. I think most of our recent hires came from IT field. As far as your long term health, this is not a healthy field. Your knees, back, and lungs will suffer in the long run. Stress depends on the day. Sometimes you nearly stroke out from the pressure, others, you worry about being laid off for nothing to do. The plus sides are you are not bound to a daily grind, each day is different. You are not bound to an office. You work by yourself (positive and minus). Personally, it does provide opportunity for "side income" People know that I work on computers on the side. I don't push this too hard, just nice for some occasional beer money for me. I think a lot of companies are always looking for copier techs. A former service mgr once told me it takes about 2 years to groom a guy for the industry, I think that still stands. At first I started at barely above minimum wage. The first 2-3 years (at least for me) were years of rapid income acceleration. After 3 years though, you get towards the top of the salary bracket. Some companies run salaries by type of copiers you service. I have been a production copier tech for about 20 years now. Not just anyone gets sent to train and service these bad boys, so you do get paid a little more as the company want to retain you. At 52, you probably have quite an advantage over someone in 20's. Service mgr's are looking for maturity, after all you need to be dependable and detail oriented, something that many younger techs fail to develop before they leave. I would say go for it if it interests you. Just be prepared to start at the bottom. I can honestly say for my 30 years, I have never been bored, other than factory training. You are always learning. It used to be actually fun, I looked forward to work everyday. It seems lately though, customers are getting impossible to deal with, they do not want to learn or figure out anything themselves. Mgmt is no longer a former tech. Our current Supreme Leader came from retail to manage the techs. He has never turned a screw in his life. Then there is sales, revolving door here. Sales typically make service techs life miserable. I guess the last positive is it is a very stable occupation, I have never worried about being laid off. It is too hard to train and retain a decent tech, just wish the pay reflected this. Good luck whatever you decide.

[allan]

Re: Ever thought of ... different work?

These are interesting perspectives.
I'm a recent joiner to these boards and I have been considering a move from my current career as systems programmer in a software house to something a bit more practical which is why I'm here.
To that end, I have got a couple of old copiers free from Craigslist sellers that I have been working on, upgrading, experimenting on (as some of you know) to see if it is something that I would be interested in for a change in direction. So far, I've found it fascinating and it satisfies my need for something practical whilst also exercising my problem solving skills.

My current position is with a good company with decent people, but I'm finding that the work is boring and tedious and sitting in front of a desk all day is not great for my long term health.
I might also say that I'm 52 so probably a difficult time to make a move like this.

One of the questions I was going to ask is how to get into the trade so-to-speak.
Any advice? Stay away? Do it part time? Don't touch the job with a barge pole?

From what i gather here. You would enjoy this a lot. But to make the bucks you need to do this for your self.
CRD that is the answer if you can get in you use only one brand and limited models. The fact that you like the hands on means you will learn quickly.
You come from an environment where you can relate well with the buyers of these companies where the IT department calls the shots.
Sounds like you will be able to maintain the machines but even more important be able to craft workflow solution around all of this.
Stuff like variable printing comes to mind and PS and PCL should be a breeze for you.
Companies still need to print, mail and archive tones of documents and if some one can make that quicker cheaper and less painful you got the job.
Fact is you only need 4 high volume machines printing around 2 to 3 million pages(total) a month to be able to make an ok living.
But these are like running servers you need to be super prepared.

Konica Minolta offers great machines for the job starting with the Pro and Press range machines.

[skelband]

Re: Ever thought of ... different work?

Konica Minolta offers great machines for the job starting with the Pro and Press range machines.

Yeah, the bizhub 200 that I have is old but seems to be well built and from what I have heard, pretty reliable. I'm less enamoured with its modularity or lack thereof. Upgrading it seems pretty Heath-Robinson: a card here; a power board there; a backup battery plugged in here...
I also hear that KM are pretty software oriented compared to some of the others although the Canon that I have seems to have a lot of the functionality locked up behind licenses.

It had also occurred to me that a possible direction might be to work for one of the manufacturers in R&D, although I'm looking for some practical hands-on work, so may or may not be an aspect of the jobs that are available.

You guys have given me a lot to think about.

[mrwho]

Re: Ever thought of ... different work?

At this time, every single day.

[Iowatech]

Re: Ever thought of ... different work?

I work third shift at a factory now. I sorely miss the creativity that I had for 31 years as a tech as well as personally interacting with the accounts I worked with, but since the mothership sent me on my merry way I think I'll be fine in the fullness of time.

[ZOOTECH]

Re: Ever thought of ... different work?

Glad you found work, Gene - hang in there!

[blackcat4866]

Re: Ever thought of ... different work?

Congratulations Gene! I'm sure you'll find some way to express your creativity ... maybe doing some recordings? I really enjoyed the one you did with your daughter. =^..^=

[banginbishop]

[Phil B.]

Re: Ever thought of ... different work?

that 1st line I quoted should be enuff to tell you that you have "TECH BURNOUT"... I went thru that in Sept 2017...
Boss was a lying/cheating/"Christian" (you know the type) that I had "walked out" 2 other times.. giving him three strikes *informed him of that 1st time* My STRESS was out the roof..BP UP... SUGARS UP and I was not a nice person around the house.
Picking up odd jobs during winter here in NC.. getting minor things fixed.. fishing .. shooting..
BP-Sugar-ATTITUDE all in way better shape since...
his biz is tanking! *sniffsniff*
If I do go indy ... i can start with a base of about 75

[banginbishop]

Re: Ever thought of ... different work?

that 1st line I quoted should be enuff to tell you that you have "TECH BURNOUT"... I went thru that in Sept 2017...
Boss was a lying/cheating/"Christian" (you know the type) that I had "walked out" 2 other times.. giving him three strikes *informed him of that 1st time* My STRESS was out the roof..BP UP... SUGARS UP and I was not a nice person around the house.
Picking up odd jobs during winter here in NC.. getting minor things fixed.. fishing .. shooting..
BP-Sugar-ATTITUDE all in way better shape since...
his biz is tanking! *sniffsniff*
If I do go indy ... i can start with a base of about 75

[mrwho]

Re: Ever thought of ... different work?

You just done summed up nicely my state of mind lately. I just wake up every day thinking "I wish I didn't need that money..."