I?m not sure how to ask this question or even what the question really is.

After eight years of going nowhere after high school but following my
dreams, I decided to go back to school and do something with my life.
I chose computer programming because I love computers and it seemed to
pay pretty well. After two years I dropped out to travel. After I
left, I felt cheated because I never learned anything. Everything I
knew about computers I taught myself so I never went back. I?ve been
working for the last six years at a job (the biggest part of the job
is driving truck) that I certainly don?t want to keep forever but it
affords me the time and money to travel 3-4 months a year. I bring
home $3,000 a month (nothing is paid while I?m on vacation) and add
another $600 for per diem. More than that, I don?t have to pay rent or
for a car because I?m always on the road.

Every now and then I think about going back to school. I look through
the classifieds and it just turns me off. The list of qualifications
seems endless to make the same amount I do now. And even if I did go
back to school, would they actually teach me all these things so I
felt comfortable with the knowledge?

I also wonder if I would even like the job I worked so hard for. What
would a day in the life of my ?dream job? be like? I don?t know anyone
working with computers and the college counselors were never any help,
let alone the teachers. I did find out early on that programming
wasn?t for me after dropping a couple classes but part of it was surly
the teachers.

Sometimes I really hate computers. They can do the strangest things
that seem to have no explanation. I don?t like reading directions and
have trouble with abstract thought. In a programming environment I
really need to see what the data is doing and exactly when and where
it is being manipulated. Given this, you?d think I?d be wasting my
time thinking about a career in any technically difficult area of
computers but I really do spend my entire off-time on them or thinking
about them. I don?t watch TV because it distracts me from my digital
playtime. I can hardly read a book because I always have some project
going on. Web design, photo manipulation and basic fun stuff like
that. Well then, why not go into that??? Well, I don?t know. But the
competition is fierce so unless you?re really good at it and can do
everything under the sun with your eyes closed, you?d be better
sticking with your day job.

I have a couple friends that are making 80-100,000/year and they don?t
seem to be struggling very hard. One?s an airline mechanic and the
other is an electrical engineer. Both got their education in the armed
services so I?m out of luck following that route but it just seems
that because they are trained in something more unique that the pay
rate needs to be higher to find good people. Or maybe it?s just that
they?re not consumed with keeping up learning a million technologies
too keep up with the competition.

Well, I haven?t come up with a solid answer yet so I?ll have to leave
that to anyone who feels like they can understand my struggle, who can
see it from having been through it, and would like to leave some
advice. Obviously, there?s no right answer but I?ll accept anything
that has the authority of experience.

Oh, some things that I forgot to mention. I?m the family computer guy
that has to do his best fixing everyone?s computers. It?s not that I
like ripping them apart so much as I understand the importance of
bringing them back to life because they?re so useful. So I guess the
part I do enjoy is setting them up to get the most out of them and
keeping them running smoothly. The other thing I didn?t mention is
that I just got married and would like to settle down. Is there
hope??? Or shall I keep on truckin??

ladida68

I am involved in computers and i love to hate it.
If you are looking for a career change we are short of plumbers  in
the UK and in the capital (London) some of the plumbers are making the
equivalent of $200`000 a year.
I am looking forward to seeing other comments and answers on this.

Do you want to work with hardware (installing computers, printers,
modems, etc.) or software? Are you interested in networking? Web
services?

You might be able to make a living (or supplement your income) selling
"family technical support" services to people ... It's a lot of work,
especially getting referrals and collecting payments. There are lots
of people who need help with their computers, even if they don't know
it. I mean, they realize that their computer is a lot slower than it
used to be, they get tons of pop-ups, and they don't have or update
their virus definitions or their Windows Updates. If you could do
three or more $50 billable hours a day for 20 days a month, you're
already in the $3000/month range. $50 may be considered high-ish to
some home users, but is much lower than the going rate of network
specialists. It's up to you to determine your market price. In home
technical support is generally service-only, which means that your
time and perhaps a few *ahem* properly licensed *ahem* stocked CDs of
virus definitions, updates, spyware utilities, etc., and maybe a USB
backup CD-R/RW would be your only outlays.

But, nobody can tell you your dreams and desires. It's up to you to
make that happen. I encourage you strongly to write down *what* you
want to do with your job, your life, and your spouse, *when* you want
these things to occur, *steps* you will take to get there, and
*milestones* ro reach with *deadlines*. Each day, remind yourself of
these things, log your progress, and look forward to the next
milestone with vigor, because that is the next step for your goal.
Even if you want to stay driving, set goals to drive farther, better,
safer, more efficient. If you want to continue with computers
simultaneously, look into getting a notebook/laptop PC, and take it
with you, work on design and photo manipulation while you're at the
rest stop. Take that opportunity to learn and get the feel for being
able to "do everything under the sun with your eyes closed." One thing
I feel for certain: you are the only one responsible for your
situation.

Competition *is* tough, but the web does allow a more level playing
field than traditional means. Nobody who deals with web services
really cares the image of the person behind the site. They don't care
about race, sex, handicap, national origin, etc. The consumer cares
about "is it easy and economical for me to work with this provider
over that one? Is the service timely and of good quality?" After that,
only you can determine the ways you provide those answers.

May providence be on your side.

This is a free comment.

Thanks for the comments and suggestions. I?d certainly love to write
down exactly what I wanted and start chipping away at it. But the
problem is I don?t know. Before I thought I?d like programming but
found it just wasn?t for me. And I don?t want to go all the way
through school just to find out that I?d be better off back in my
truck and spending months off on the beaches of Thailand. But I am
starting the process anyway studying up for the A+ certification just
in case I go that route.

And what you mentioned, micksawyer, that sounds like a great
proposition. I should look into that. Money AND travel! - I?m in the
US. But I heard it was pretty hard to get work visas in the UK. I was
reminded of some advice from my Business Law teacher when she told
everyone in the class to switch majors and become a court ?. ummm..
what?s the word? The person who records the court proceedings? Anyway,
she said that they are in a great position to make lots of money and
have a lot of leverage. So are there any computer equivalents?

Interesting.

You appear to enjoy using computers for Graphic Design 
Also to be good at fiddling with hardware

If you were a programmer, you would have known it years ago, and would
have been hacking away without bothering with a CS degree.

Your writing is cogent, grammatical and verbose without being painful
to read, which indicates that you have strong written communication
skills.

I suspect that the real problem is that you have developed a natural
urge to settle down - something I call the 'biological time bomb'.

One method I have found useful for sorting out ones own wishes, is to
write an exhaustive list of things that one does /not/ want to do.

Do truckers in general use computers?  Can you use your computer
knowledge to create a product or service for truckers?  If you can,
selling it would be easier due to the credibility you have as "one of
them."

Maybe something that would help a driver communicate with his family. 
Or the standard mileage log/whatever.  Also, I imagine dispatchers use
computers.  The big trucking companies must have IT guys.  Perhaps you
could persuade them to hire within.

?I don?t like reading directions? -- a hint of dyslexia.

?Everything I knew about computers I taught myself? -- a hint of dyslexia.

?and have trouble with abstract thought? -- no dyslexia. Curiously,
many programmers don?t even grasp the concept of abstract thought and
their attention to detail (such as spelling) is appalling.

?In a programming environment I really need to see what the data is
doing and exactly when and where it is being manipulated. -- a hint of
dyslexia. Do you start a jigsaw from the corners or do you slap down
pieces in approximately the right place? The former I would suppose.

?I can hardly read a book because I always have some project going on?
-- but perhaps partly because the work of reading interferes with the
pleasure.

However, as mentioned, your writing is comprehensive and clear. Could
do to be ?red penned? a bit, but that?s probably because try to avoid
ambiguity. The care taken indicates slight dyslexia but you work hard
to get it right. Your trouble with abstract thought is a bit odd
though. You may be underselling yourself in this department. Do you
think in pictures? Do you ?see? numbers?

Not sure why no one has mentioned it (unless I missed it) but you seem
well suited to computer journalism. You imbue computers (and any
object?) almost with a soul. Usually required is a love (weird!) of
computers and medium level skills on the subject in general rather
than expert skill in one particular area.. Doubtless you read the mags
and internally crit the articles. Perhaps you might contact some of
the journals. Lab work, reviews, techy stuff, research. Perhaps
freelance.

My suggestion may be anathema to you, but many computer journalists
(in my experience) have your qualities. BTW, slight dyslexia, call it
word blindness, is a quality.

Best

I am in the same position. I dropped out of highscool and never
firthered my education. Well last year i got my ged and started
college not knowing what filled i wanted to be in i went with web dev
and design. But im just not sure that is me. I mean i like the kind of
work but i think there is something better for me out there. I to am
completly self taught on computers though with friends and family and
friends of the family i have repaired a rough estimate of at least
200+ computers. It is something i like doing. I do wish there was a
place that would explain all of the fields and what it is like to have
a position in the field like what to expect and such. I didn't go this
last semester becuse i just can't simply afford to waist my money and
then change my major. Only about $250.00 per class but that is alot
for me. Not to mention books. I am considering getting a degree in
computer sciance based soley on the fact that there are a lot of job
openings for it. But once again im not shure if that is what i want
with out getting a discription of the job and the opertunities. I have
knowledge in most areas myself i have done some animation and such.
The only field i haven't really played around with is programming. I
did take my fundamentals of computer programming class last semester
and it was easy enough i only read a about 6 pages of my book and
ended up passing the class. So yeah we are in the same boat here.

The way in which you speak of fixing computers sounds like you enjoy
it.  You may want to look into being a computer repair technician,
which is what I am.  You will probably have to get your A+
certification to get hired, but most of it is learned while working. 
It is a great job and if you find the right place, you should be able
to make quite a bit of money.
Bomanator

Since starting this thread I?ve been thinking a lot about this and the
comments have helped to pinpoint areas I?ve neglected to concentrate
on. I?ve gone through everything said and mentally wrote responses but
would be way too much to post for others to read so I?ll just try to
make this short and more to the point.

guzzy, you seem to have a great sense of reading between the lines. So
much so it was a little spooky. I can?t respond without contradicting
myself so I?ll just leave it as a thank you for your insight.

I have a good idea of what I want to do and what I?m good at. I?ve
spent 6 years studying the Thai language, several years appreciating
Asian culture and learning about many of the traditional crafts, 2
years building a website, and a few thousand dollars buying things I
thought might sell. This would be my dream and it takes into
consideration some of my favorite things. I think I have what it takes
but haven?t fully tested it yet.

I wasn?t thinking about this at the time I posted this question but
what I need is a backup plan more than another ideal goal. Something
solid. When in school I liked the feeling of knowing that upon
graduation I?d have a job with potential. But with any job, I don?t
think anyone else can tell me if I?d like it. I never thought I?d like
driving a truck for a living but besides the money and flexible
schedule, I can play on my laptop when I?m not driving (it?s a team
job) and study languages while I am driving. At night I?m in a hotel
and can spend the rest of my time online.

So taking these things into consideration I think it would be best if
I stick with what I?m doing but adding things like the certificates
and other things to my resume. I?m starting to lean towards your idea,
Bomanator, for my back up plan. At least it will be rewarding in
itself if nothing else.

Im 33, and  graduating in 3 months with a Bachelors in IT.  I can tell
you from first hand experience, programming will not make you much
money in the United States (C++, VB, Java, any object orientaded
language).  If you want to make money in Computers, get Cisco
certifications (CCNA) and atleast an MCSE degree.  Yes they cost
money, however, programming is typically outsourced to other
countries.  Example, a programmer in the US makes on Average $90,000
per year.  The same job goes for in India $19,000.  Networks, or
database's are areas that will be a hot item.  Now, Information
Technology is a large field with many specialties, try not to
specialize in proprietary Software, ie.. Microsoft, or other large
Software developers.  The Information Technology field will always
need Network specialists so my advise is to stay versitile, learn the
architecture of Information Systems with respect to Fiber Optic, ATM
over SONNET and VOIP, (voice over IP) will be a MONEY maker.

Thanks kielinen,
I was thinking the same thing yesterday looking through the
certification section at a bookstore. Networking would be a nice area
to study after I get through the A+ tests. And I assume that most
anywhere in the world it would be useful so the possibility of working
abroad would be available ? something that would help to ease my
traveling addiction.

My question is something you raised about proprietary software. CCNA
and MCSE are both proprietary but if I was to study for both of these
I should be OK, right? I should have a good grasp of networking in
general. And if I could get these under my belt while saving some
money I?d know if it was right for me.

ladida68-ga:
If you're getting A+, you might want to get Network+ as well. While
MCSE is a proprietary certification, it does get you in the door where
you nmay not have the ability otherwise. CCNA is proprietary as well,
and unless you really are dealing with Cisco routers and Internet, you
may not need it. I passed CCNA, and have yet to really use it. If I
was working for an ISP, I'd definitely use it.

Ok...

Thats all at one side.

Just think of the other side. U might think what is the other side.
The other side is ur personal life. Many of them think what they want
to do but do not accompolish their task. Yes! Its important for a man
to dream, I do encourage a man to dream as high as possible but should
never forget teh base where we are standing.

Its not what we want to do, but it is how are we going to achive it.
As you said and all in the above comments, u moved from different
locations, places and jobs to achive the highest income (dollars) u
want. But u can do it from any position.

Its said that the human's brain runs faster than what thay are doing.
but they do not know how to use it. For instance u can take ur self. U
were a truck driver. If u think only in the development of achiving
teh target, then u could be as an owner of ur own transport company.
its said " Nothing Is Impossible In The World of Goals and Hardwork".

I would better suggest you to do something instead of thing to do
something. There is always a way where theer is a will. Also Try to
meditate or be in the mode of meditation for some time. Say daily for
about 10 to 15 mins. do like this. Sit down for some time. cross all
your fingers and just!!! keep obsorving the breath that u take in.
This will improve gradually ur way of behaviours, lifestyle, and also
u will be in a position to give a lot of ideas.

I hope this should help ur answer.

Regards,
Almighty786

I concur with MickSawyer.
I am 34 and have a successful career in computing here in the UK.
My advice to anyone who will listen is simple "PLUMBER". If you are at
school or about to leave school seriously consider an apprenticeship
in plumbing. It'll take you three years.  Then go to Uni or College
and doss arouns for four years.  Whilst your friends are working in
McD's or Characterless Pub Chain for minimum wage you can earn £200+
on a Saturday afternoon!
When your job in computer and office land gets outsourced to Eastern
Europe (it will you know) you can return to your trade and be self
employed.
But hey, I'm not bitter!!

Fair point, but also (in the UK) consider becoming an electrician.

I read today that any electrical work done in a kitchen or bathroom or
exterior has to be done by a registered electrician - otherwise you
have to pay a git from the council to inspect your work.

The one downside with plumbing is that you have to keep going on CORGI
refresher courses, which my plumber friends tell me are a waste of
time and very expensive.

I just want to say thank you to everybody for taking time out to help
me on this issue. This post has gotten pretty long and has given me
some food for thought. I never would have guessed plumbing would come
out as one of the top choices though! It's probably not something I'd
stay up all night wrangling over like I do with my websites but it's
worth looking into.

Bruce

I think you mentioned Court Reporter....  My business teacher
mentioned the same thing years ago (late 70's, early 80's).  I have a
friend who's wife worked in a hospital and noticed all the doctors
going to the phone and "dictating" their orders and memos on the phone
to a dictation company.  So, she started her own in her basement.  She
gets doctors to call her computers with orders that need to be
transcribed into writing and placed on paitient records.  She has many
(I don't know how many) people who sign on each day to her site and
type whatever the doctors record, so that the "orders" can be placed
on the paitient "charts".  She pays these people quite well.

I have found that VAR's (value added resellers) have several websites
that allow them to decide what products to sell.  With this knowledge,
I've rented billboards selling products through forwarding websites. 
When the customer accesses my website(s) the website automatically
forwards the customer to the website of the company I'm reselling, and
if the customer buys from that company I get credit for the sale.  If
the billboard pays for itself plus a profit, I keep it out there.  I
guess the same could be said of any type of sale, and any other type
of advertising, but the VAR websites are a great help.

Try adding "VAR" to your google alerts and do a google search of
VAR's.  I think you'll find it interesting since it is an area where
you could make money without driving a truck, and it could do it all
by itself.  Good Luck.

Bruce, I have another friend who hires I.T. people for a living.  He
is a partner in an I.T. staffing firm and specializes in providing
I.T. people for large enterprise size firms.  They are always needing
people to install upgrades to the software they already have.  The
large enterprise software firms such as S.A.P., Peoplesoft, Oricle,
IBM and others that have sold their systems to large companies like
large banks, insurance companies, and city governments will provide
there own employees to install these upgrades, but they charge their
clients $250/hour per employee.  My friend locates these large firms
that are about to upgrade and contracts with them to do the upgrade
and provide the people for about $130 to $150 per hour per employee. 
Then he posts these jobs as project job offers on I.T. employment web
sites like Dice.Com for $90 to $120 per hour and keeps the difference.
 The employees who do the work are happy while they are working, and
are always wondering where the next project will be.  The companies
are happy cause they are saving a hundred bucks an hour over what the
ERP software firms would be charging them to do the upgrade, and my
friend is happy cause he's making $20 to $30 bucks an hour for making
this type of "sale" - putting the deal together.

Dice.Com is a good source for you to look at what type of
certification will make you the most money because it has a section in
which you put in your qualifications and it will tell you what you
should be making.  If you have certification in A+ for instance, it
will tell you how much you are "worth" to an employer to hire.  Or if
you decide to get a Peoplesoft CMA with 8.8 upgrade for AR, it will
tell you how much more you would be worth to get that.  Again, good
luck.

My two cents
In todays market (and I am talking globally) everything depends on the Skill 
set you have in IT. If you know SAP and/or Oracle that would be a good
starting point. If you do not have these skills That means getting the
necessary certification. That will probably cost at least $10,000 for
either skillset in terms of training and getting the certification .
Assuming at this point you like/are interested in the work and are
good at it ,then I would beg to be involved in some real work
experience (even if you do it for free)
You are then set for life (almost as good as any Plumber in London :-))
Regards
Mongolia

I have thought of a way for you to combine your competency in Thai and
enjoyment of Thailand with your interest in fiddling with computers.

Move to Thailand and sell Thai products on the Internet. Use your
language skills to source the right products cheaply. You can find out
which products from Thailand sell well on eBay and then use your
computer skills to create eBay auctions (A cursory check shows that
Thai gemstones, jewelry and alligator leather goods are fetching high
prices). Once things develop well create your own web site and sell
directly. Once your Internet business is solid you can export to
larger buyers in the US.

You can get your start in Thailand by teaching English there. Take a
quick ESL teacher certification course and then pack up and go.