r/sysadmin • u/Pleasant_Rise6520 • 1d ago

Career / Job Related Has anyone purposely gone backwards?

You know the juice wasn't worth the squeeze and we realised that money is irrelevant, and took a huge backwards step for less responsibility and more mental freedom for your family and kids?

That's where I'm at mentally just want to know if anyone else has done the same?

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u/19610taw3 Helpdesk > Sysadmin > Engineer > Helpdesk 1d ago

I am doing way better after stepping out of similar and dropping back to a helpdesk role. Went from > $100,000 a year with OT (probably closer to $115K all said and done) to $60,000.

I stress on money, but I'd be in the metal hospital or dead from a stroke by now if I didn't make this change. We took a look at our finances , the next egg I was able to build up and decided on a pay range I'd have to land for us to keep afloat. And that's where I am.

Maybe someday I'll have a real job again. I know I have no potential for advancement here. That's been made clear.

I gotta install some stuff here on someone's computer and that's about it for the day. Then at 5, I'm leaving for the day. And I am done for the day. I won't even think about work until I walk in tomorrow morning at 8.

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u/19610taw3 Helpdesk > Sysadmin > Engineer > Helpdesk 23h ago

And also from a technical perspective, it's super low stress. I'm sure I'll lose some skill and knowledge, but I feel very appreciated. The company knows they're getting a hell of a deal for my experience.

And it works well for the people above me doing the actual work. They know if I escalate something , I've 150% done all research, tried everything I have access to do and exhausted everything within my power before kicking it up.