I’ve been working in an IT helpdesk role for nearly 15 years, and I’m starting to feel the weight of anxiety about job security, especially with the rise of AI. I’ve survived a performance improvement plan and a layoff on my team, but I’ve also tried to pivot into coding over the last decade without success. Thankfully, I dodged a bullet by not investing in a coding bootcamp that would have cost me $20-30K. I even explored getting into the trades, but I faced rejection from two IBEW locals and the local UA for an apprenticeship. Now, I’m feeling like I could be on the brink of losing my job and facing financial ruin, which is daunting. Living at home has its benefits, but it’s not a great situation overall. I don’t have a degree from a prestigious university, and I’m worried that my career in IT might be reaching a dead-end, especially with advancements in AI and companies like Microsoft pushing for self-sufficient systems. Ageism is also a concern for me at 41, and I’m unsure of what my next steps should be. I’m not interested in traditional paths like healthcare or roles that are often suggested for people with ADHD. I feel like the saying 'you can’t teach an old dog new tricks' is becoming more relevant for me. I’ve received some suggestions to take action and consider helping individual coaches and consultants with their IT needs, such as troubleshooting websites or setting up AI chatbots. I’m contemplating this as a potential avenue to explore.
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