I started a new job this week. After ten + years working days at a factory job using industrial power tools, I've landed a job working midnight shifts doing "first-level tech support" for clients of an ISP. I, however, prefer the more accurate titles phone monkey, troubleshooting flow chart reader and value added service salesman.
It's been rough so far, as I've never had a job like this. There's a lot of company "client care" policy and techie stuff to learn and I'm still adjusting to the hours. My body doesn't quite yet understand that daylight means sleepy time. My new employer has medical and dental benefits (which my previous employer didn't, although they paid extremely well) and I'm not commuting 250 km a day to and from work anymore (this new job is a five-minute drive from home; my minivan seems happier), so the significant paycut I took taking this job isn't as big as it seemed at first. Also, my previous employer was generating lower and lower revenues with each passing year, so permnanent layoffs were definitely on the horizon, even with my seniority. And there were no buyouts or long severances available, as the company was just too small. It was time to go.
Anyway, just thought I'd pass along the news that I'm exploring a new career path, and if any of you techie guys got any advice, feel free to pass it along. Or if you have funny, wacky or otherwise bizarre tech support stories, I'd love to read 'em!
Cheers,
LQ