This has been bothering me for about a month now, so I figured I would ask you people what you think.

I am getting very burned out at my job. I have been here 2 1/2 years, and while I don't hate it, I am getting tired of it. Oregon unemployment is still really high, and getting a job in the high tech field right now isn't real easy. Unless you have 20 years of experience and 14 degrees, you are pretty much SOL.

For months I was the only employee at my job. The second employee was fired over 5 months ago (well deserved though), and since February, I have typically put in 50+ hour weeks at work, having only 1 day off each week. I hate that.

Well, some things have significantly changed in the past 2 months and I am trying to decide on a few things. I really want a new job, but I HATE job searching. I also am thinking about giving up (possibly just temporarily) my web site, and maybe even going into the navy.

I have put in almost 1 1/2 years building my web site. I had 5 people helping me for the first few months, but they all pretty much ran after that. My g/f sometimes helps, but its mostly me that does the work. Building all those pages takes days, and I have put in anywhere from 2 to 10 hours daily trying to get the site done.

On top of this, when I moved out of my last apartment in June, I had DSL and was told I can get it where I'm at now. Come to find out that once I moved in, NO I can't get it (I'm PISSED). Now I'm stuck on slow ass dial up and the connection is just $hit. I can't even connect to the mail server to get my 80's web site mail. (That explains why I haven't responded in a long time.)

I gave up working on it over a month ago because, quite honestly, I am sick and tired and REALLY burned out putting in long hours, and I just can't take it anymore. There is a solid 6 months left on it, and I'm just not up to it right now, but it seems like half the visitors tell me "you need to finish it", yeah... like that thought never crossed my mind.

Also, since I am tired of my job and want to move on, but employment here sucks right now, I have been giving thought to enlisting in the navy. I have researched it and am just about ready to sign up, pending an interview with a recruiter.

So this is what I would like some input on. Should I take my 80's site down for a while (probably months) until I have more time to work on it and I'm not so burned out, or should I just leave it online as unfinished for now (perhaps add a note that no work will be done for some time)? Any thoughts?

Does anybody have any thoughts on my career change? I am still going to stay in the computer field, as I have nearly 20 years of experience there, so the service could definitely train me further on that and electronics.

What do you people think on these issues?

Thanks for reading my cry for help. :)

First your website looks great, but since your so bured out, and not enjoying working on it, plus the dial up problem, then take a break from it, it will always be around when you feel like working on it.


Regarding the job issue, I have already mentioned before i'm sort of burned out and hate my job, but need the money, so i can't just quit or am afraid to quit ad look for another job as you basicaly need to work at job searching full time and not working 50-60 hours weeks while looking. I don't have a clue how the US military treats or pays staff, I know in Canada it's good. However in my opinion, if you hate or are burned out of what your doing, and you can get by until you find something else then by all means do it cause it ain't too great thinking about what you have to look forward to each morning when you wake up. However it is nice getting knowing your getting a paycheck each week, and alot of people who aren't working would be happy to just have a job.

So I guess I didn't help you out too much

I personally wouldn't quit my job until I had something else on the back burner.
It sounds like you have already made up your mind about the Navy. You should try it out why not? What do you have to loose? You will meet new people you will make some money and you will travel to different places, that doesn't sound so bad to me.
You are still young so if you are not happy do something to change that.. life is to short to be sad all the time.

About your web site..I agree with Cal :D

Good luck Aaron on what ever you decide!

50 hour weeks with only one day off is definitely going to burn you out. I don't think anyone needs to tell you that you should have a new job lined up before you quit that one. It's just common sense. Unfortunately you will have to go through the hassle of a job search. I hate that too.

As for your website, I would think leave it open with a note saying no work will be done on it for a while. At least that way people will know that it is still going to be operational and that you will be updating it so they might return later. If you just close it you will most likely loose your members for good.

First of all, don't go into the Navy. My ex husband was in the Navy while we were married and it is not all what it is cracked up to be. I know what you mean about no jobs in the high tech field. Austin, TX has become a high tech mecca in the last 10 years and tons of out-of-staters have flocked here (especially Californians). Now that there has been major layoffs, there is no work. I know this might not be what you want to hear, but I would stick with the job you currently have until you can find another job. Have you ever considered relocating for a job? I would think about that if you had a nice offer. I know how tough it is to find a job because my boyfriend is in that predicament at the moment.

As far as your site, I would keep it up with the message saying you will not be sure when it will be complete. It sounds like you have put a lot of hard work into it, so I wouldn't give up on it. I hope this advice helps. :)

Like the others here, I agree that you should have another job lined up before leaving the one you have now although with 50+ hours a week it's very hard to go job hunting. I have the same hours with one day a week off too, so I know.

I would also say to put the website on hold and if you do decide to join the navy you may not have time to work on the website anyway, at least not for a few months and depending on where you're stationed. Just remember one thing when it comes to recruiters, their like salesmen and will promise you whatever you want to hear so get their offer in writing.

Good luck in whatever you decide to do.

If you think it sucks to work 6 days a week for 50 hours, just wait until you are in the Navy. Especially in boot camp and tech school when someone is up your butt 24-7. Don't get me wrong, I love the military (I was in the Air Force) but if 50 hours a week burns you out perhaps you should think if maybe something else is going on with you besides just not liking your job. The AF is different from the Navy, much more relaxed atmosphere, and there were times that I had to work 60-72 hours in a week. Like I said though, the military does have super benefits to it and its well worth it. I just don't see why you would want to go somewhere for at least 6 months and put in more work than you are doing right now.

Originally posted by shortie
If you think it sucks to work 6 days a week for 50 hours, just wait until you are in the Navy. Especially in boot camp and tech school when someone is up your butt 24-7.

No kidding!! My friend is in the Navy, and she likes it to an extent. She wants to get out, but we keep telling her in 8 years she can get out and still receive her pension. But I told her since it's not my life and 8 years I'm talking about, ignore me and do what her heart says she should. :) But I figure, she's already invested 12 years, you know?

You also need to realize that your girlfriend won't be allowed to live with you unless you live off-base. My friend just finally got her Navy housing on-base, mind you. It can take a long time if there are people with seniority ahead of you. My niece's b/f thought they would live on base (Army) because my niece was pregnant. Boy, did they get a wake up call! He got himself dishonorably discharged for going AWOL. :rolleyes: Dumb ass.

Anyway, you can't beat the opportunity for schooling and the medical benefits of being in the military. Unless you got someone begging you to take their $30 thousand and go to college? :lol: I know, that's a good one! Plus, with the right training, you could walk out of the military in a few years and right into a government job.

Good luck.

Can't answer your question about the Navy. I grew up around the Air Force and Army. You might ask Jasper though, since he is just getting out. I personally think the military has a lot to offer, but you have to be the right sort of person to make it a career.

As for the web site? I would just put up a notice that it won't be updated in the immediate future and leave it at that. You can always get back to it later, if you feel like it.

Heres an update:

I have been researching the Navy for 2 weeks now. On monday I went and talked to a recruiter. I was a little surprised. He gave me ZERO pressure to join, didn't try and talk me into it, sign anything, or ask me when I wanted to join. He just answered my questions, told me what life was like, showed me videos, brochures, pay scales, and so forth.

I'm not dead set on joining yet, I'm still researching it.

In addition, I am also looking into the Air Force. My dad recommended I check into that and see what they offer.

As for my web site, I think I will just put it on hold. I haven't done any updates in about 2 months.

However, for those who are in, have been in, or know someone who has been in boot camp (Navy, Army, whatever), I wanted to get some feedback about something.

I saw Full Metal Jacket years ago and saw the drill sergeant screaming profanities (that doesn't bother me) and punching the recruits. That doesn't fly with me.

What I didn't realize is that was the Marines and several decades ago. I have since been told that in boot camp the drill instructor cannot touch you unless you throw the first punch. I was told by the Navy recruiter that they can't even curse you out.

Several people have told me this is true, they cannot hit you. The guy I bought my 4runner from was just retiring from the Navy later this year and he said the same thing. A friend of a friend just got out after 10 years and he said boot camp has changed, but they are forbidden to hit you.

Well, after talking to my brother, he is convinced they CAN hit you and they DO hit you. He has never been in, but he knows several people who have been in the army, marines, and possibly elsewhere and they claim that yes you do get hit, they just don't tell recruits about it. Personally, I don't believe him. Why would people who aren't even in now lie about it???

So for those that know, do you know if thats true or not? I understand if you throw the punch you get your ass kicked, but just standing there, why would they?

Does anybody know the ultimate truth?

This isn't necessarily my basis for joining, just something that I've been told two different things on.

Naturally you are burned out--when do you have time to breathe?

I hope you aren't seriously thinking of going into the Navy. I am as American as the next person and I know that our military is doing great things, but I can tell you as a former military wife that it's a horrible, overworked, underpaid profession. You are on-call 24/7/365. You can be called away at any time . It's Hell on family life and if you think your mental health is at risk NOW...

With things the way they are in the world, I would say that even though you hate the search, the civilian world still offers better employment opportunites than anywhere else.

Obviously I'm biased toward the Army having served in that branch of the military.

About basic training...if you keep up with what you have to do, no drill sargeant will scream profanities at you. Also, if anyone touches you, they can be slapped with an article 15 (loss of rank and wages), or worse they can be courts marshalled (depending on the offense).

If you want to join the military, but aren't sure if you want to do it full time, you might consider the Reserves or National Guard. You still get the training, but you only serve one weekend per month, and two weeks in the summer.

Hope this helped. :)

I am also burned out at my job, but thankful that i have one. I am also into computers but not willing to leave a sure thing for something that isn't. Alot of my friends felt the crunch of Sept 11th and thankfully I did not. Good luck with your decision.

Jen makes a good point about possibly joining the Reserves or National Guard. I can answer your questions about the National Guard because I spent 20 years in the Guard and retired in 1992.
Some of those weekend meetings become three day weekends starting on a Friday night thru Sunday night when it comes to training missions in the sticks. PM or email me if you'd like to know more about the Guard. The Army Reserves are not very different as sometimes they and the Guard occasionally train together.

I kick myself in the ass everyday for not joining the Military when I had the chance. Do It. A friend of mine just completed his first 5 year strech and reuped. $60,000.00 no taxes. My ex in fact is still in the Coast Gaurd, we lived in some great places. PM me if you want a little inside info on joining. They will screw you if given the chance, you have to be really specific on what you want from them!

aaron, email me buddy! I can give you info, and REAL info and insight on all 4 branches. (plus the coast gaurd as well). realdealmbp@yahoo.com