Shutting down

[Rocco]

It was A decent run. I promised myself if I couldn't survive on my own after 5 years I would shut down my business. I had absolutely zero business during summer months from the beginning. So a few years ago, I started my hot dog cart for the summer. I made more in 3 months than I did the other 9 out together. Enough to live off, but still not enough to get insurance for my daughter.

Maybe I could have tried new things. I tried breaking into business side. But so many businesses around here love who they have used for 20 years. Break fix for residential did ok, but again, not enough. Maybe I just didn't try hard enough, or kept trying the wrong things.

When I made this decision 4 months ago, I let my website expire. I started applying for every job I could find. From the maintenance guy at the local gym, to every network job I could find. I started working for the state this Monday. I am starting at the help desk and noc, hoping to be able to move to service delivery or network later. The pay is awesome. The benefits are amazing. My daughter will have insurance may 1. To tell the truth, I can't see myself happy at the help desk for more than 2 years. I am a tech, who wants to fix real problems, not assign them to others and change passwords all day. But this is an amazing opportunity, and a sign of what is to come. I will do my absolute best at changing passwords to prove why I should be a "real tech".

Thanks to everyone for advise throughout the years. I will not be leaving the forums, since technician is still in my title, lol. I really am excited about this change.

 

[phaZed]

Good luck bud! May the winds of life carry you to a comfortable and fulfilling landing!

 

[GTP]

All the best to you and your Daughter. I hope all your hard work pays off.

 

[FremontPC]

Hey, Rocco! Best wishes on your new career, it sounds like you've made a great move that's paying off already!

 

[callthatgirl]

I'm happy for you, known you awhile here on TN! I have a feeling you won't be at the helpdesk very long, everyone has to start somewhere and then they can show off their talents and shine in another department. When I started at the Mayo Clinic in 2003, I was told I would never get out of level 1. Guess what? In less then 2 months, I was killing it with my ticket closing and found myself bored. Since I couldn't be promoted, I started snooping around and found out that the guy who managed the "email queue" was overloaded with 50 tickets in his queue! I went to him and asked if I could help. I didn't even ask my supervisor, I just did it. After a couple of months, I told my supervisor and he approved me to help that team and in no time I was doing special assignments. But yep, still "first level helpdesk" was my official title. The next 2 years all I was doing was 3rd level Outlook calls pretty much. As I was "first level helpdesk" I had to still do 4 hours of calls for them, but the rest was all my Outlook fun.

Moral of this story, get to know every department you send tickets to. Check their queues daily and see what tickets are in there, how many and if you can help.

 

[Markverhyden]

Wish you and your family the best of luck Rocco. It's not a happy day to read when someone has to through in the towel. But, as we all know, running a business is not meant to be a sure thing. The important part is you gave it a good go and have learned a lot no doubt. Remember that everything about running a business is a lesson. Whether it's a success or failure. And new employers appreciate those insights. Best of luck.

 

[fencepost]

I started working for the state this Monday. I am starting at the help desk and noc, hoping to be able to move to service delivery or network later. The pay is awesome. The benefits are amazing. My daughter will have insurance may 1. To tell the truth, I can't see myself happy at the help desk for more than 2 years. I am a tech, who wants to fix real problems, not assign them to others and change passwords all day. But this is an amazing opportunity, and a sign of what is to come. I will do my absolute best at changing passwords to prove why I should be a "real tech".

Good luck and congratulations. As for being at the helldesk, now that you're in the state system I suspect your odds of transitioning to another position are pretty decent, and at the least with your experience you'll likely either be in a position to move up or move over to being a PFY or maybe even someday a BOFH.

 

[jzukerman]

Family first! Government jobs have the benefits that you just flat can't get by owning your own business, namely health insurance and retirement. I came close to shutting my business down about 6 years ago and really thought about going to work in the state government. I have a few friends working there too. Best of luck to you and your daughter.