@scottalanmiller said in Figuring out what you want to do professionally: @Kelly said in Figuring out what you want to do professionally: How I think my peers are doing (social media syndrom This one is tough because we tend to associate a lot of people as peers, and to some degree are correct. But, for example... If you feel as a Linux Admin that a Windows Admin is a peer, you will likely always have one person that feels that they are "behind" on PowerShell and object scripting, and one that always feels that they are "behind" on text processing. But really, it's because they aren't direct peers. Sure, they are equals, but they aren't doing the exact same job. Exactly why I refer to this as the Social Media syndrome. "Based on my perception of myself in relation to this narrow slice of what I see of you (not allowing for any context), I am not as good as you." Even two Windows Admins will not have the same sets of responsibilities and scope within their job. IT (and many other jobs) is full of "oughts". I ought to do more automation. I ought to have a <type> plan. I ought to have more documentation. I ought to understand this LOB software better. I ought... I have judged myself based on my oughts and other based on their successes. It is a deceptive, and ultimately destructive, perception.

@travisdh1 said in Evaluation time of year - self evaluation: @IRJ said in Evaluation time of year - self evaluation: Think of it this way.... You get to put focus with your evaluation on specific areas you care about. Sure they ask you general questions, but most of the time they are very open ended and you can really take them anywhere you want. You can, yes, but most of us aren't good at sales, and all that's really all these things are. Selling them on what you've done over the past year. Self marketing is extremely important. If you cannot master it, you will never get paid what you are worth. It's like job hunting, the minor details can mean the difference between $70k and $130k salary. I personally like to pick what the evaluation will be about, and move things in the direction I want. For example, you can show that you've mastered your current role by showing vast improvement in specific areas over the past year where you have implemented automation of some sort.

@hobbit666 said in Microsoft to lay off thousands in sales, marketing reshuffle: Will this include the cold calling centre? Had 4 calls from Dell yesturday I've never heard of an MS cold call.

I think that this decision has to come down to... is this a career change that you want? If this is what you WANT to do, then it is a huge opportunity to build your resume and experience. If this is not something that you want, this could suck big time. it's more about you and your goals than about career options.

Infiniband at $75/hr!!

Everybody gets a work-life balance except for the poor IT guy," said Sergio Galindo, general manager at GFI Software

@thecreativeone91 said: None of them I know started as an Linux Intern... Just an intern at the company then became really good at Linux and was given a full time job. Then yes, I'd agree with that being the most common path that I see.

@ajstringham said: I'm sadly already out...:'( That was fast.