I have a couple of questions for the mustachian forum today.
My Background: Late 40's, married, no kids, will be mortgage free on three properties November 2015. FIRE date is Feb of 2022. Main career career focus 10 plus years as a software developer followed by 10 plus years as an IT Project Manager. (PMP). Currently work for an extremely large financial institution, managing releases to the customer facing part of the online business. Heavily regulated, process heavy, literally need 3 levels of approvals to use the washroom kind of stuff. High stress, high workload, ok pay and benefits, but sucking the life out of me. The work itself is fun, the governance, reorgs and agendas is what is killing me. Nothing unique, I realize.
Question 1. Other careers that build on IT and IT Project Management. As there are quite a few software developers on this forum, it stands to reason there must be Project Managers too. So for all you in that field, any of you make a jump into something else? I have no interest in PMO's or anything like that, what other options have you considered? Account management, Sales?? I am a bit stumped as to what are the options out there...
Question 2 Would you return to a company that laid you off? I was let go about 5.5 years ago by a very large tech company, it was a numbers thing, last in, first out. I got my current job right away, upgraded my skills and made a lot more money than I was making, so no hard feelings. Fast forward, my former boss has approached me about coming back, to a more senior version of my old job, but with slightly more money than i currently make. The job should be a lot less stress, fewer hours and despite the company being massive, this is its owns self contained group more or less, so a bit immune from the bigger org. They have a mandate to hire, quite a few people and to grow the business. Hiring fulltime employees in IT, at least in Canada is almost unheard of anymore. So, would you go back, or is it a really bad idea?
Any feedback appreciated.
Thanks.