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Message: <blockquote data-quote="inanothertime" data-source="post: 125700">Ok.I left TSG in February 2006 -- I volunteered.I thought I would get a job immediately.  I didn't.  I applied to everything in the local paper, monster.com, applied to temp agencies, sent my resume to technical recruiters -- all this is on the internet in your town (even the newspapers have jobs online -- unless you live in Mayberry, RFD).The key to my success is that I never stopped learning new things outside UPS.  I got 7 certifications, I worked part-time as a consultant, I also pushed the envelope at UPS when I could.Like other UPSers I know, I didn't get a call on 90% of the applications I submitted.  The job I got was from a newspaper article.  Supposedly, your best chance for a job is using human-networking (your friends, aquaintances, your external customers, etc.). The job title is Computer Analyst.  It is similar to a TSG job.  The difference is that I administrate my own servers, I support industry standard applications, and the users are more appreciative.The job pays the exact same as I made at UPS.  The medical benefits are better.  The dental is about the same.  There is no 3% matching 401k.I work for a school system in a high school -- that is all I do -- I stay in a High School supporting the technology (450+ workstations, 125+ workstations, 100 networked digital projectors, 65 IP cameras, 45 networked printers, 120 teachers and administrators, and 1400 students -- all with network accounts).I have more responsibility than I ever did at UPS.  I also like the job.  In the beginning I liked TSG.  Several years into the job, I hated it.  I hated it for about 8 years.  It affects you more than you think -- it creeps into your personal time away from UPS.How did I get the job?  I interviewed well.  I was later told that I got the job because of my communications skills.  They said they thought I had good technical skills, but they liked my interpersonal skills more.  They stated that you can build a "technician's" skillset, but you cannot make a balanced demeanor.  It bothered me that they took me more for my customer service skills over technical skills -- but,... hell, I got a job.Luckily, now that I have the job, I have proved that I have skills.  I learn quickly, so I am adding skills everyday.Leaving UPS was the biggest decision in my life -- it was easier to ask my wife to marry me -- it was easier to take on a big mortgage.  It took me years to leave.  If not for the downsizing and the payoff for volunteers, I would probably still be at UPS.I don't miss UPS in the least.  I miss the people, that's it.UPS is a big, powerful, and wealthy company.  It is also a company that is dramatically different than the one I was so enchanted with 16 years ago.Stay if you like it, leave if you don't.  I should have left 5 or more years ago.  I didn't and I regret it.  If you want to leave right now, you might not be able to right now.  Get your finances in order, get a couple of certifications, read about the hottest technologies and learn the lingo.  Survey your city or town and get a real understanding of the job market -- UPS might be the best thing in town -- you never know!If you really want something different, you'll find the way.  I hated TSG, but I loved the benefits, time off, and the relative ease of the job.  I wanted to got, but I was scared of the unkown.  I am now ashamed of myself.  There is so much more to your technical career than TSG.  There is also so much more to life than Big Brown.I have friends in TSG who hate the job as much as I did/do.  They are finding their way to leaving -- it might take them a long time.  I understand, it took me a long time.</blockquote>

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