I’m a 33-year-old IT professional with six years of experience, currently working in tech support. I started my career in tier 1 and 2 helpdesk for a dental support company, then transitioned to being the sole IT person at a small school, where I managed everything from users to policies. After feeling burned out, I moved to a desktop support role at a mid-size company. I hold a BS in IT, but I’ve been feeling pretty apathetic about my current career path and am looking to pivot into something new that still pays around $53k or more. Living in North Carolina, I’ve been reflecting on my career and realized that the technical side of IT doesn’t resonate with me. I find more satisfaction in building processes and connecting with people rather than troubleshooting technical issues. I enjoy researching problems, explaining solutions, and helping individuals one-on-one, but I’m drained by repetitive tasks like resetting passwords and preparing laptops. Given my situation as the primary provider for my family, I can’t afford a significant pay cut, and I’m aiming for a salary between $60k and $70k in the future. I’m currently looking for opportunities in the Raleigh/Triangle area and have ruled out several fields like K-12, HR, data analytics, and technical writing. I’m considering a few career paths: - Instructional design or training, as I enjoy explaining concepts and creating materials, although I lack a portfolio. - Program or project coordinator, which seems to align well with my background. - Disability employment services, but the entry pay appears low. - Business analyst, though I’m uncertain about its meaningfulness. - Government program specialist, which looks appealing but has steep experience requirements. - Community health worker or patient navigator, though I see these as temporary roles due to low long-term pay. While I stay in my current IT job, I’m updating my resume and considering weekend volunteering to gain relevant experience. My main concerns revolve around competition for these roles and the actual demand in the job market. I’m eager to hear from anyone who has made a similar transition from IT support to roles in coordination, training, or similar fields. How long did it take you, and did your IT experience help in those new roles?