Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What tech course could one take to get up and running the fastest?

There are some people downplaying the industry. I am not a programmer - I'm functional, but I had to work really hard and commit (liberal arts background) to get the option of WFH. I've had 100%. Hated it. Now I just have lots of flexibility. I go in if I want, go to the customer, stay home. The technology also ended up supporting this. None of this was possible when I started out. Paid a lot of dues, like in any industry.

I worry about people who think they can take classes/course their way to WFH. That's not what it's about. If that's the goal, employers will sniff that out.

What industry are you in?

Anonymous wrote:What tech course could one take to get up and running the fastest?

There are some people downplaying the industry. I am not a programmer - I'm functional, but I had to work really hard and commit (liberal arts background) to get the option of WFH. I've had 100%. Hated it. Now I just have lots of flexibility. I go in if I want, go to the customer, stay home. The technology also ended up supporting this. None of this was possible when I started out. Paid a lot of dues, like in any industry.

I worry about people who think they can take classes/course their way to WFH. That's not what it's about. If that's the goal, employers will sniff that out.

What tech course could one take to get up and running the fastest?

Look at Blue Ridge Partners. Be prepared for a real interview.

Find a job that is telecommuting friendly, even if you are technically attached to an office location. Arrange for telecommuting 2-3 days a week for a year. Show your skills, reliability, network within the company. At your one year review, let them know you'd really like to move to full time remote and give them a list of things to expect from you. You're basically negotiating going remote at your annual review.

For me, I did everything through the first year, but just sent my boss an email saying "hey, I'd like to go full-time remote this year" and his response was just "I approve." I don't think that would have worked without giving the FaceTime and building a reputation within the company first.

converting is easier than being hired outright for pt work

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP here. Thanks everyone for your thoughts. Unfortunately, it's too late for me to get into IT. I guess my best bet is to convert my current job to a full time WFH. I don't think what I do is a niche, and not sure the company would allow it, since a large part of my job is event management.

Start your own event planning or management business. I wanted to work from home (really, bed) full-time, so I left a cushy government job and started my own company. I haven't looked back since.

- Posted from bed while watching trashy tv.

Nosy question: What is your annual take-home, and is it consistent from year to year?

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Software developers probably have the most flexibility of anyone...especially if you are a sought after programmer with good credentials.

Sorry to hijack but what are the good credentials? Would attending a good coding bootcamp be be advisable?

Programming is one of those things where you have to live it and experience it to really be good at it. Bootcamp is programing in a black box. Great--you know the language. But the good programers are the creative ones.....the ones who can bring multiple project experience together to create a unique solution. For me, it's things like I saw it done this way on Project A. Project B also had a similar issue but there was an environmental difference that required a different solution. On this new project, I can pull in parts of Project A, some of Project B, and add a few new pieces and produce a solution for the client. And because of my experience and network, I can do this quickly and efficiently.

Your true credentials are the projects you have worked on as a lead programer or architect.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP here. Thanks everyone for your thoughts. Unfortunately, it's too late for me to get into IT. I guess my best bet is to convert my current job to a full time WFH. I don't think what I do is a niche, and not sure the company would allow it, since a large part of my job is event management.

Why is it too late....IT is very easy to get into, you don't need a formal degree like many other fields.

How do you learn the job then?

Run through tutorials. Take classes. Build a project yourself. Look on github for a project that interests you and that you think you can contribute to in some way and start offering help.

I find that for things like programming, DBA work, and similar it's pretty easy to learn on my own. Things like networking I need classes, partially because of limited access to equipment. I'm probably not going to go pay for a python class and cert, I'm just going to join a project and start contributing. But I'll pay for cisco classes and certs.

Anonymous wrote:Software developers probably have the most flexibility of anyone...especially if you are a sought after programmer with good credentials.

Sorry to hijack but what are the good credentials? Would attending a good coding bootcamp be be advisable?

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP here. Thanks everyone for your thoughts. Unfortunately, it's too late for me to get into IT. I guess my best bet is to convert my current job to a full time WFH. I don't think what I do is a niche, and not sure the company would allow it, since a large part of my job is event management.

I highly doubt that they will let you do that. I would try to get them to allow you to add a second telework day. If that goes well over an extended period, maybe you can try to go to 3 days. But your job sounds like one where you really need to be in the office a good chunk of the time, so I am not sure your goal is realistic. And if your skills aren't terribly unique, there doesn't sound like much of a reason for the company to bend over backwards to meet your request.

OP here. You are right. I don't think they will either. I'm not highly specialized and many can do my job. I am stuck in this non profit world.

I'm the PP who suggested you start your own biz in event planning. Can you do some P/T event work on weekends to start slowly building a name for yourself? I know there are smaller party planning companies who look for on-site coordinators on the weekends. This could be a good way to build a client roster by getting to know people outside of the world you are currently in. Even PR firms hire one-off event help and maybe getting to know people in that world will also be good for networking. Don't ever think of yourself as stuck. There are always other options. Sometimes you just have to get out of your comfort zone to find them. I for one will hope that you can find the situation that works best for you!

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP here. Thanks everyone for your thoughts. Unfortunately, it's too late for me to get into IT. I guess my best bet is to convert my current job to a full time WFH. I don't think what I do is a niche, and not sure the company would allow it, since a large part of my job is event management.

I highly doubt that they will let you do that. I would try to get them to allow you to add a second telework day. If that goes well over an extended period, maybe you can try to go to 3 days. But your job sounds like one where you really need to be in the office a good chunk of the time, so I am not sure your goal is realistic. And if your skills aren't terribly unique, there doesn't sound like much of a reason for the company to bend over backwards to meet your request.

OP here. You are right. I don't think they will either. I'm not highly specialized and many can do my job. I am stuck in this non profit world.

Another in-house attorney. I changed from biglaw when my late wife was sick because I couldn't manage everything. I work 100 percent remotely. It's a great schedule. I usually work for an hour between 5-6, checking email, get the kids ready for school, walk them to school, work from 9-3, pick up the kids where we "work" together for an hour before making dinner.r I usually put in another hour or two in the evening after the kids go to bed because it's a west coast company. It's fantastic, man.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP here. Thanks everyone for your thoughts. Unfortunately, it's too late for me to get into IT. I guess my best bet is to convert my current job to a full time WFH. I don't think what I do is a niche, and not sure the company would allow it, since a large part of my job is event management.

Why is it too late....IT is very easy to get into, you don't need a formal degree like many other fields.

How do you learn the job then?

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP here. Thanks everyone for your thoughts. Unfortunately, it's too late for me to get into IT. I guess my best bet is to convert my current job to a full time WFH. I don't think what I do is a niche, and not sure the company would allow it, since a large part of my job is event management.

Why is it too late....IT is very easy to get into, you don't need a formal degree like many other fields.

NP... sure, but off the bat, no way OP will get a wfh IT job. It would take years for OP to build up a career to achieve this.

--signed an IT worker who works from home because as a PP stated, I'm good at my job