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I am an Air Force Vet. and have multiple degrees AS, BS, MS. I am Currently in the IT field making pretty decent money, but the problem is that it does not matter a damn.
After I got out (right before 9-11) I had the whole I need to be there Vibe, so I took jobs that helped the "effort" making Armor, SAPIs and working on the AH-64 Longbow project. Problem is now I am in a job that does not matter to me at all. it is just a place I got to pay the bills.
I am involved in scouting and have joined the local state defense force (best I can do health wise) We were recently activated and now afterwards I am really feeling how much I despise what I am doing.
Am I the only one that feels this way and how do I make the move to something that matters?
After I got out (right before 9-11) I had the whole I need to be there Vibe, so I took jobs that helped the "effort" making Armor, SAPIs and working on the AH-64 Longbow project. Problem is now I am in a job that does not matter to me at all. it is just a place I got to pay the bills.
I am involved in scouting and have joined the local state defense force (best I can do health wise) We were recently activated and now afterwards I am really feeling how much I despise what I am doing.
Am I the only one that feels this way and how do I make the move to something that matters?
Planning
Civilian Career
What Would You Do
Employment
Edited >1 y ago
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 28
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Not to sound like an ass, but at your point in life, you need to figure out exactly what you want to do. if you can't do that then no amount of advice you will receive here or elsewhere is going to help.
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SSgt Donnavon Smith
That is what I am trying to do, I have let outside factors control my destiny, now I am finally in a position that I an reflecting and trying to "Right the ship" so to speak
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PO1 Glenn Boucher
Best of all on that, its not easy to make a transition to something you really want to do versus doing something that pays the bills steadily.
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SSgt Donnavon Smith Look to your local Red Cross. There are paid positions and volunteer positions in disaster/emergency management. Also paid and volunteer positions in IT and Service to the Armed Forces.
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I am trying to spend as much quality time as possible with my 2 grand kids... this matters & is very rewarding because I think they enjoy it too...
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Yes, I feel the same thing but I just retired last December, so it's VERY strong with me right now. I don't really enjoy what I do and I'm working on other opportunities but until something else comes up, this job pays the bills. I think this feeling is pretty common for so many of us.
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SGT (Join to see)
I am not a retiree... but I feel your pain.
I have a good job, a really good job - but it is not fulfilling in a sense. Pays the bills, and that is important to me. If I had more free time I would volunteer, become active in a cause or start a non-profit. Even if there is too many non-profits out there.
I have a good job, a really good job - but it is not fulfilling in a sense. Pays the bills, and that is important to me. If I had more free time I would volunteer, become active in a cause or start a non-profit. Even if there is too many non-profits out there.
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I agree with what someone else said about cyber security and one I will add is Health Informatics. Hospitals need better people to support their technology needs because you will improve the quality of life and patient care. It can be a very rewarding IT job if that is an area that interests you.
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SSgt Donnavon Smith, I have been totally retired for 26 years. Doing income taxes for seniors for 12 years has been my only volunteer activity. I have also lost two wives in that period. I still regret not contributing to the "world". Hang in, enjoy, travel, volunteer, enjoy and appreciate your successes!
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I too work in high tech. Like you, I am having a hard time generating meaning from my work. If you seek meaning, find something outside of work, such as volunteer work (team rubicon), sports league, etc.
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It sounds like you miss the structure of the work. What did you do while activated? What is the difference in the work? I think the saying is find a job you love doing and you will never work a day. It may not work but get in to team centric jobs at work or volunteer at the Police department/Fire Department. You said you were involved in scouting does that help? Would going to a local paintball field help? Since your picture is you in uniform I am guessing your child is older. Teach them to fish or camp. I hope this helps.
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SSgt Donnavon Smith
Yea, he is getting older. He just finished his Eagle Scout project last weekend. I work in emergency management when activated. I have been reflecting quite a lot about this recently. I think that it is the fact that in the AF, SDF and scouting, there is a defined mission and obtainable goal to strive for and accomplish. This is not really what I have at work.
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SSgt (Join to see)
You do not need your goal to be at work. Your work can allow you to accomplish something outside. I have heard of world famous climbers that work most of the year so that they can save enough money so they can go climb. You are in the IT field. Can you use your knowledge to set up something to help out? I know distributive computing has helped make a lot of progress in the medical field. As part of boy scouts can you help guide the youth in to technology fields that may help them hold the future. You did not say what you do in the it field but can the business you work for do tours? Could they get connected with the schools in your area?
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I cannot express my support for CPT Meza's response enough...I "thought" I had done some important stuff in my life until the day my wife told me she was carrying my son. As vets, we represent a very small cross section of society, and there's a lot of "everyday" folks who make the world go 'round...Heck, I'm just proud to have done my time. Every day I "miss the life", I stop and ask myself, "Would you really WANT to stand a mid-watch tonight?", "What would you do if the Project Manager shouted at you today?" , "Can I operate on two hours of sleep any more?"...then, my perspective gets clear, and I wait for those rare, but precious moments when someone needs my help, advice or support. I've always felt that a veteran is nothing less than a "re-purposed asset" bringing the ideals, principle and honor of the services back into the private sector.
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