What do you do if your IT career is leaving you unfulfilled and overwhelmed?

If your IT career is leaving you feeling unfulfilled and overwhelmed, it might be time to reassess your goals and priorities. I would suggest exploring other areas within IT that align better with your interests or pursuing additional training to switch to a different role. It is essential to reflect on what aspects of your current situation are causing dissatisfaction and take proactive steps to address them. This might involve seeking mentorship, talking to career counselors, or exploring new opportunities.

I feel that It is common to be not satisfied with IT career. There are only two options in my opinion- either live with it or do the following- 2nd option is tough - But worth it: 2.Identify Your Passions 3.Skills Assessment 5.Further Education or Training 6.Seek Mentorship 9.Consider a Sabbatical or Break 10.Take Action And - Come out of comfort zone and be prepared to be comfortable with unknown - Learn and apply as you go on new journey .

If your IT career leaves you feeling unfulfilled and overwhelmed, an option that I recommend is to honestly assess your situation. You shoudl start by identifying the specific aspects of your job that are causing dissatisfaction or stress,whether it's the nature of your tasks,the work environment, or a mismatch between your personal values and the company's culture. Consider your career goals, passions, and what you truly enjoy doing within the IT field to determine if there's a misalignment. An honest evaluation of these elements can reveal whether you need to seek new opportunities, invest in further education or make changes within your current role to realign your career path with your personal fulfillment and professional aspirations.

Understand your “why” - what are you passionate about that drives you to do what you do Be clear about what you value - personally and professionally Seek out organisations or leaders in organisations that align with your “why” and values and have a supporting culture Explore career paths opportunities within organisations before you accept a position - ensure that they have a growth mindset Use and build on your strengths - align these with the role.

Finding a mentor can be a game changer, it doesn’t need to be someone who is necessarily in your industry but find someone who has an empathetic nature. Someone who will help you explore your challenges rather than telling you how to address them. Self discovery and a gentle nudge will teach you so much more.

As we strive for professional growth, we may face periods of dissatisfaction that are often not discussed openly. It is crucial to remember that seeking support is not just beneficial but necessary. In my experience, reaching out to colleagues, mentors, and my professional network has given me new perspectives and insights. Their advice and experiences have been invaluable in helping me navigate through challenging times. It is all right to ask for help. Engaging in open conversations about career challenges can lead to solutions and strategies that reignite passion and purpose in your work. Let us continue to support each other in our professional endeavours.

You're going to get to a point where you need a coach. Talking about what is bothering you with other people is fine, journaling is a solid method too, but eventually, you're going to hit a wall that your typical circle can't help you address, and your journal is going to become an echo chamber. This is where the assessment we spoke about earlier is going to come in handy. It will help you determine what path you want to take, and that should narrow down the growing list of coaches you'll have to choose from. Vet them just like you would any client vendor, ask about trial periods, get transparent pricing, and make sure there is bidirectional accountability.

Everything in life is a mixture of challenge and support. Seeking support once you have determined what you want to become and what training/upskilling is required to achieve that goal is vitally important to come out of the overwhelm or the challenge. Support can come in a variety of forms from mentorship, to networking, to knowing your resources and to a commitment to work-life balance. Once you figure out what you need, start asking for it. There is a 50% chance you will get a Yes! If you get a no, go back and reflect on the situation/experience to see what you can learn from it. Test --> Measure --> Shift! Ask again! Walt Disney went to over 300 banks before he a Yes for the loan to build Disney World!

In my experience Upskilling wisely will really help to take control of your career and move in the right direction where your strengths are.

In the ever-evolving landscape of IT, staying current is not just an advantage, it's a necessity. Upskilling is the key to unlocking your full potential and aligning your career trajectory with the future of technology. Before diving into the next course or certification, pause and strategize. Ask yourself: Does this align with my career goals? Will this skill open new doors? Is this where my passion lies? Choose wisely, and let your upskilling journey be a stepping stone to greater achievements and satisfaction in your IT career. Your future self will thank you for the investment you make today.

I found that a daily habit of professional development really helps. I don't always pursue something specifically IT-related. For example, lately, I've pursued numerous HubSpot marketing certifications. This serves the dual purpose of keeping me apprised of adjacent industries that matter to my business and breaking up the monotony of constantly studying IT and technology-related topics. In my experience, I achieve more satisfactory outcomes when I pursue topics that interest me instead of topics strictly designed to advance my career upon certification completion. I've also found benefit in pursuing soft skills, particularly communication. If you feel stuck pick a topic that is widely transferable to any business or industry

Everyone's situation and mindset is unique. Tailor your journey to that fact. Ignore the noise from those trying to sell you a one size fits all technique. Makdle sure you upskill in an area that brings you value faster. This 'reward' will power your continued effort. It works.

In the constantly evolving field of IT, it's important to discover a niche that not only challenges us but also aligns with our core values and interests. While upskilling is a great way to stay relevant, it's not the only solution to job satisfaction. At times, the key to reigniting our professional passion lies in exploring new roles or environments that resonate more deeply with our personal goals. Whether it's a startup that values innovation or a company that prioritizes work-life balance, there's a place in the IT industry that feels like home. Let's not hesitate to seek out those opportunities that make us excited for Mondays!

It's too easy to get caught up in the hamster wheel of learning as an IT person - new stuff is exciting and we love new toys but... sometimes (gasp!) technology isn't the solution. Consider: ? Changing your environment - cultures are hyper-localized within teams so consider changing teams, reporting structure, or if that's not an option, companies altogether. ? Exploring within IT: IT is a big field - you may be a DevOps genius but tired of it. Consider other roles within your specialty or branch out and try something new ? Leaving IT: You may need to leave IT altogether and give other roles a try. This is scary but can only be beneficial: either you miss IT and come back rejuvenated or you love it and are happier!

Blurring the lines between professional and personal life is often easy. However, setting boundaries is not just a personal preference, but a professional necessity. Negotiating workload expectations, saying no to additional projects when necessary, and fully disconnecting during off hours are not signs of weakness. Rather, they are strategies for long-term success and sustainability. Always remember, protecting your time isn't selfish, but essential for maintaining mental health and job satisfaction. Normalizing workplace boundaries can lead to a healthier work-life balance.

You are the only person who owns your boundaries. This means if you want them respected, you have to enforce them over and over and over. Here's how: ? Be honest with your workload - I'm especially guilty of this and generally want to say yes but it's important to recognize and communicate when you're maxed out ? Protect yourself: turn off notifications wherever possible and if you see something the business deems urgent and you know it isn't... address it with normal urgency ? Talk to others about how they manage the demands of IT and learn from their tips and tricks. Odds are, they also need insights (Feel free to ping me on this, I'm constantly working on this and would love the help!)

Critical to avoid burnout by comparing yourself to others. Our situations are different, and even though people might trumpet only the successes, we do not see the struggle that got them there. Set clear boundaries in other to go further.

Remember we work to live and the most important consideration for anyone’s career is doing what you love, being passionate about your role or cause.

I would start with reflection before taking any other actions. The questions I would ask myself are- --> What is going right with my career? --> What is not going so well? and --> What do I want to Become (desired career path) in my career? When you have answers to these questions you can start developing a clear intent to close the gap and develop an action plan for your self to realize your goals. With that action plan in hand you can get motivated to move forward and come out of the overwhelm you have been experiencing. Then you can start asking questions like- --> Are my values aligned to the organization or team values? --> Am I in the right place to accomplish my goals? --> What do I need to upskill to reach my goals?

Reflection is key you want to do something everyday that you love and enjoy. If your passion is not there or you've just Grown Apart from what you use to love about your career it's never too late to start a new one. Sometimes organizations and people adapt to the times and sometimes when adapting there's significant change in that change there may be a loss of what initially drew you to the career that you chose.

Opportunities come from the most unexpected places. Build your network, be curious, always consider your skills at a holistic level. Most of what we bring to the table is transferable, don’t constrain yourself and take risks.

Continuous learning is essential in IT. Consider pursuing certifications, attending workshops or conferences, or even going back to school for advanced degrees if it aligns with our career goals. Remember, our career journey is not set in stone. It's okay to feel lost or unfulfilled at times, but it's essential to take proactive steps to address those feelings and carve out a path that brings us joy and satisfaction.

It’s crucial to take proactive steps to reassess your professional situation. Start by pinpointing the specific aspects of your job that are causing dissatisfaction and stress. Engage in open dialogue with your manager or mentor to discuss your concerns and explore potential solutions, such as shifting roles within the company, pursuing additional training or certifications, or even considering a career change within the broader IT industry. Seek opportunities to network with professionals in different IT fields or explore job openings that align more closely with your interests and career goals.

The key oversight in this article is you may need to look outside IS. The outsourcing cycle with IT is pushing more towards outsourcing and there still is a stigma against IT. Assessment and root cause definitely comes first, but IT itself could be the root cause of one's dissatisfaction.