[335iLondon]

TESCO!

[ab2pcs]

Oil and Gas worker

[RBO]

Lettings Consultant and Property Manager. Ex Estate Agent (Sales Neg) love/loved it! some good roles here guys.

[R80TER]

I changed jobs recently! (well Jan!)

I now head up a team for a very large IT distributor, my team is concentrating on data centre management solutions, supplying best of breed technologies bundled into a true DC management solution. Also into HPC infiniband fabrics.

[Vaheed1]

I run my own Sandwich Bars and 1 fish and chip shop. Been doing it for 3.5 years now - and as much as it's a pain in the arse and stressful - I do love it. Honestly. I employ 19 girls ( only 4 are under the age of 30!) and it's one big bitch fest at every shop. lol.

I started my professional life in IT. Graduated from Uni with a programming degree and then decided I hated programming. Went into support instead and worked as a remote desktop engineer for a couple of years and got bored of sitting in one place and moved to London (from Newcastle) and worked for 3 of the biggest Companies in the world as a support engineer for 5 years. I did anything from general desktop crap to Server re-builds and install networks on remote sites from scratch.

When I was made redundant from my last job - I decided I would move back home and set up a small IT company. I spent 4-5 months researching, putting plans together and writing up a plan to lick the banks ass with - but I came across something else I always wanted to do....own my own food outlet. The IT plan was moved to one side for the time being.

I'm not bored of what I do now....but I really really want to set up my own support company. Even if I just start with something small and move up to doing small/medium companies.

If anyone can give me some advice on where I could start...I would appreciate it.

[marshyrob]

Network engineer for Cisco Systems in Reading. Love being a geek!

[LexS]

I'm an automotive test engineering, specifically for eletronic power steering systems in cars like the fiesta, punto, polo etc.

[briers]

Originally Posted by Vaheed1

If anyone can give me some advice on where I could start...I would appreciate it.

I think you have done really well to co-ordinate those eateries!

I think if you have the passion and drive to start a support company, go for it. Anything you set your mind 100% to will succeed in my view. But don't give up what you are good at despite your qualifications.

My only point is, i was involved in support a few years back in to the b2b and b2c travel sector and it was a nightmare. My Ex-boss was running the a division of support for credit suisse as it's a cut throat business. Long hours, lots of stress, lots of money on the line. If you want to take on that risk be prepared to work harder than you have ever worked especially being a new boy but you can make a lot of cash out of it.

Both my businesses are b2b now and i still get the odd support line thrown in a long the way and i loathe that side the most. Any mistake in support even on small scale can cost big time as i found out the other week actually. My SMS alerting wasn't working so my systems were down for 7 hours on a sunday morning loosing lots of cash. Ironically I had specifically instructed my support to ensure all failover and alerting was working just a week or so prior. They didn't do they job properly and i really wasn't very happy. In support you have to have this mindset as if the systems where your own. E.g. if they went down you would loose 1,000's. Unfortunately, most people don't see the importance or put the effort in if their own money isn't on the line.

Not fun!

[magic77]

Might as well add my bit, Software Consultant (Rear Techie, all around fixer, trainer, support etc) for a software firm specialising in accounting software.

[CHG]

May as well add... Started up my own design and marketing company, then moved it into the consulting sector as well... Working on marketing and sales for consultant engineers, property companies as well as others... Currently doing a contract in France working with one of the worlds largest banks!

But Vaheed, do what you love, but also try different things! I love working with different people, and when I made the transition from design and marketing to consulting (mainly technology/marketing/pr), people thought I was crazy... design was what I'd always been known for...but it's probably the best move I've ever made!

Basically, if you want to set up your own support company, do it!! And if you want any advice on starting up, let me know! I've been there and done it!

[rovers_andy]

Marine Engineer

[MickyD'bo]

I run a Commercial Radio station in Blackpool. Worked in Radio for years, started at Metro FM in Newcastle in 1994.

Did try running my own company/s for a few years but hated it.

[dxb335d]

That's pretty cool! I think I'd enjoy something like that!

[chris...]

Electrician most days i love it out and about meeting people fixin things

[dxb335d]

What did the 325i run at the pod?! I guestimate 15.1-2@90-92mph Am I close?!

[dxb335d]

That's IF it was a petrol. If a re-mapped diesel then I rekon 14.5-6@ 96-97mph

[chris...]

not far off i think not sure where i put the slips now think think it was about 14 something good fun though .

[dxb335d]

Can't remember?! I remember my best religeously!!

[ZURICH]

well let's throw my hat in the ring, i am a project manager for a swiss company. My division deals in specialist waterproof coatings for commercial and resedential builds from decorative to pure funcional ones.

[Ryan87]

Im a local government officer for a district council,

Specifically a Housing & Council tax Benefits assessor.

Been doing it for several years now but if the coalition gets it's way Ill be redundant or working for the DWP within the next few years.

Not sure which is worse really...

[Brian mc21]

I'm the last person to let you down.

Grave digger for a local council...

[Kerr]

Work(I use that term lightly) for Baker Oil Tools.

So it's me that keeps all you guys on the road.