On my flight back from Baltimore I had an epiphany of sorts. I had just played a crucial role in closing a deal for my company. I wowed them when they needed to be wowed and enjoyed every minute of it.
As I waited on my celebratory glass of wine to be delivered by the flight attendant, I stared lost in thought into space. “That was pure fun,” I thought, and compared it in my mind to all the time I spent in server rooms.
There was absolutely no comparison. I decided right then that I would never work in a server room again.
System administration is a thankless job even in the best of times. When things are going swimmingly with the computers, everyone thinks you just goof off. Things are different when an outage occurs. Rather than being a hero by repairing the damage, the users tempers flare and you get blamed for everything.
People who have never done the job don’t realize how difficult it can be. Things going well? You don’t get noticed. Things not going so well? It’s your fault, slacker.
For a person who thrives on positive feedback, the job became draining quickly. As I saw on a roadsign somewhere, computers don’t give hugs. When all you hear is griping never balanced with praise, it is time to move on.
Things are quite different in my new position as a sales engineer. I get to travel every once in a while. I play a key role in the sales cycle. My work is laid out for all to see, including total strangers. I have to think on my feet every single day: no two days are the same. I have an outlet for my showbiz side, and each day these skills get a little bit better.
Customers don’t tell me no. They can’t. I won’t let them.
To this, I can bring my 10 years of system administration experience to create a compelling story for the customer. I too am a veteran of the technology trenches. Fought the same battles, too. But like a military veteran, I no longer wear the uniform.
The sysadmin uniform no longer fits me.
Glad to hear it, dude. Good luck!
wooohooo!!!