Hello,
My name is Nathan Barnes. I am IT Manager with about 15 years experience. I've been in IT management for most of the 15 years and have worked for several different industries: Retail Clothing, Auto Finance, Insurance, Logistics, and Outsourcing. Most of my experience is with the hardware, operations, networking, and help desk support areas.
I started this blog as part of a project at Evangel in the Degree Completion program. As I created the site name it reminded me of hard it was for me to find an IT job here in the Ozarks. So I figured why not set up a site that allows IT professionals help each other: put people in touch, enhance skills, critique resumes, and ultimately find a job.
I'm happily married with 2 wonderful kids. We moved to the Ozarks about 3 years ago to raise our kids. Before moving here we lived in Chicago and San Diego. Both locations had plenty of IT opportunities, both technical and in management. Job posting were more accessible than they are in the Ozarks and recruiters were very common. When we moved here to the Ozarks I worked as an IT Account Manager for a global Outsourcing company. Our customers paid us to be their IT. I figured my job was safe as long as the customers were happy.
Well, back in March of 2008 I was laid off, along with about 300 others. It took my several months of earnestly searching, visiting the career center, applying for all sorts of jobs, and then finally I landed a job with a local health care company. The hardest part was that there just didn't seem to be any jobs. The job I accepted is much more technical than I've been in years, and the pay is far less than I was accustomed to. I am living proof that you can make it on much less than you think, and you can learn to be technical again.
There a some great companies here in the Ozarks, great schools and plenty of talent. The wages are lower, but so is the cost of living. One would think that there is business opportunity in there somewhere...
Please feel free to comment.
Saturday, November 8, 2008
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Very difficult situation you were in; Must have been very stressful. I'm glad you made your way to the Ozarks. I agree, it is a great place to raise your children.
ReplyDeleteHey brother your sight looks great and as our teacher would say "nice dog".
ReplyDeleteI change my blog account, it is now david-bruner@blogspot.com.