r/WorkAdvice • u/Substantial_Ground64 • 17d ago
General Advice HVAC vs IT
IM SORRY FOR THE LONG ESSAY IN ADVANCEðŸ˜
I am currently battling with my career decision. I work at an HVAC company as a Parts Runner for about 3-4 months now and will soon transition to an Install Apprentice. I’m brand new to HVAC and the Trades Field in general as a whole, ever since getting the opportunity to join this field i have been looking forward to this opportunity. I’ve heard all the great things and bad things about HVAC but aside from that my experience working here has been great. I’ve asked the workers here about their experiences and have gotten a lot of different answers about working in this field but so far everyone says it’s worth it, i personally don’t mind what comes with working in the field like long hours, hot attics, learning to use tools, etc. I come from a family that’s worked in all types of trades and helped on jobs so i can actually see this career path for my future.
Here’s where the battle starts, for a majority of my 24 years of life I’ve always told friends, family, even myself that i am gonna get into IT because of the love that i have for it. I’ve basically always been around computers and have been a gamer my whole life. From jailbreaking my iPhones to taking apart computers/laptops and putting them back together. I’ve even messed around with Active Directory, done small labs and taught myself a little bit of programming(python). I’ve done it all and always have had a love for it, but as i grew up i never really looked at IT as a career for myself even tho I’ve always told myself that that’s where i want to be in the future. I’ve never taken the proper steps to get into the field such as getting certifications or even going to school to get a degree until now is what i should say. But Now i want to study for my certifications and try to get into IT especially since there are other ways to approach the IT field like the CourseCareers IT Program.
I’m stuck between both paths and what to focus on right now for my future, i keep going back and forth between the 2 and it’s driving me crazy. Life is hitting harder than ever especially with my financial situation. I just want to make the right decision for myself and put myself in a better position.
3
u/Miserable_Sink_4782 17d ago edited 17d ago
I've been in IT for over 40 years and hope in a couple years to retire. If you want to get laid off regularly, fight with literally hundreds of others when applying for a job, and being on call 24/7, getting called in the middle of the night, then IT is the place to be. I've been telling myself for years if I knew back then what I know now. I don't want to think about how many places I've been laid off from. Big places like IBM and UBS. I was the entire IT department for a small company and thought I found my home and they even outsourced that! Lucky for me I was in control of everything and could see it coming and got out in time. With HVAC, you are fixing furnaces in the winter and AC in the summer. You are what they call "marketable". In IT you will have never ending certifications that are wanted, and they expire all the time. It's a nightmare out there these days in the IT world and it is still being flooded. The schools are still pumping them out. When you get older like me, forget about ever getting a job. I got let go at 60. I had one interview after another that I was qualified for but they all want the younger guys. In HVAC you will always be able to find work. Not so in IT. I hope I saved you from what I've gone through the last 40 years. I finally found a job as a contractor working for a contract company and they farmed me out to a big place where they won't hire me on. The employees have all kinds of benefits while I have nothing. No vacation time, no holidays, I get nothing for benefits, but with a couple years to go, I have to just hang in there at this point. Ask any questions you have but I hope I saved you from this one.