There have been days..."many" days...in my IT career that I look back on...oh 19 years and reflect on "what if". I'm sure that I am not the only IT person that has ever thought the following questions:
What if I would have followed my original plans out of high school / college?
Where would I be now?
Would my life be any different?
I can remember my childhood when I tinkered with my first computer and thought - this is cool, I could work on these all day. Then I started my programming in 6th grade on Apple IIc machines. Then while in high school, I can remember the fun I had with all of my years of drafting (mechanical and architectural) while also continuing my programming classes on Apple IIgs computers. My first choices for a college degree did not include the IT industry at all, it was going to be between Architecture and Computer Integrated Manufacturing Technology. Unfortunately my grades were not at a perfect 4.0 to get me into either program, so I went for an IT industry related degree and after graduation, I started my career being a jack of all trades.
During my career, I have developed many hobbies (as I'm sure most IT people have as well). I know of many of my IT colleagues that have gotten into photography and left the IT world to follow that less stressful passion; heck, I've thought about it myself at times. My question to you is had you not jumped into IT, what do you think you would be doing now for your career? What path would you have followed? And do you think it might have changed your life as you know it to be now? And do you think you will leave the IT industry soon to pursue a completely different career (and why)?
Thanks for your feedback, I would like to think I'm not alone in my question "Did I make the right decision, or did I just choose something safe?"
