Best steps to move on
I currently have a job in tech as a solutions engineer and I now have 3 years working at the same company. Before I worked as a solutions engineer, I worked as a web developer for 2 years. This role for me was initially more client-facing, where I worked with different clients resolving tech-related issues around the company's applications. I spoke to my manager, wanting a change of pace and I now work on more internal tasks regarding maintenance and application upgrades. FYI: I have a bachelors in Infomation Technology with a concentration in computer security. As time goes by, I feel like I choose the wrong career path as I constantly find myself unhappy with my job. If I'm not unhappy, its because I try to convince myself that it isn't so bad but this "happiness" only lasts a few weeks before I'm worn again and just really hate my day-to-day tasks. I find myself a bit stuck because I don't feel like switching to another tech job is going to change my happiness around work. Ideally, I would like a job that doesn't frustrate me with endless "urgent" issues and complaints about XYZ. What kills me is that I only get problems reported to me, any accomplishments are so short-lived because there is another problem waiting to be resolved. I'm not sure what to do next as I don't want another tech job that I'm not going to like and I don't want to take a huge pay cut in the name of finding my dream job. Luckily I do have some rental income coming in outside of my regular job but it's not yet enough where I can stop working and rely on this income to support myself. Has anyone found themselves in a similar situation? What steps did you take to either switch your job or career to something you liked more?
This toxic culture of thankless firefighting is common in tech, but it’s not everywhere. I realized this after moving to Microsoft. It took a few months for the affects to wear off, but I’m now as happy and relaxed as a cat in a cream can. And I feel my work does make a difference and is appreciated.
If you're still into security maybe you could become a security researcher. E.g. red teaming or something. (Just an idea, I don't know much about this field.)
Welcome to technology, it's a thankless job. I feel this way constantly. I've been around in various roles and it's been the same way in every position I've held. My guess is because I don't find the work personally fullfilling and I will have to either live with it or change until I find it.
At least now I know I'm not the only one who feels this way. My co-workers seem seriously content with their job/role and it disturbs me. Cheers to finding something better!