Should I Stay in IT or Move to Courier Delivery Work

Lasu91 on 11/05/2021 - 10:50

Hi guys,

I used to be working as IT Field engineer for 4 years, going onsite, repairing computers and talking to customers which make me proactive and happy everyday.I was good at my job which is top scorer in the state for the customer service skills, but long short story it was a contract work with 3 months extendable which i don't have sick leave, annual leave or maternity leave (my baby is on the way soon) so i decided to move on to the IT support jobs in the office which is full time with all the benefits

the IT support role i got is not what i have expected/ promise by the manager who interviewed me which is putting me on level 1 help desk on the phone for few months before going to level 2. But i found it very boring and stressed when assisted people on the phone. I am good at driving around, flexible with hours and talking to people face to face which i enjoy with my previous job. I have been also applying for desktop support jobs for other companies as well which i have people called to interview me on the phone but still not had been progressed any further yet

I found some of my friends who used to be the accountant and now working for the courier work which is direct courier and they have been working for the last 10 years. So should i move to different job out of IT and can i get back into it in the future? or when i am out, i cant get back to the IT field.

Also what is the courier life at the moment?

Education & Work

Comments

  • No on 11/05/2021 - 11:04

    It's not unusual to go on phone support first for a few months. How long have you done it for so far?

    • asu91 on 11/05/2021 - 11:10

      its been 1 month already, i have been on level 2 desktop support for the previous role for 3 years so everything here with the new job is very basic and i can do it on my first day at work without training. So nothing new to learn, stuck on the desk with the phone and i am the person want to learn and grow but not just sit down and listen to someone yelling at me on the phone because they cant log on to the computer

      • netjock on 11/05/2021 - 11:30

        If they pay you more to do stuff that you can do with your eyes closed then find something else to do at the same time like day trade (just an example).

        What you want to know is if you get progression to level 2 in a few months. Enjoy it while you can.

        • asu91 on 11/05/2021 - 11:44

          its still a question if i can get progression to level 2 but right now i am so stressed with being on the phone with some dumb questions lol

          • netjock on 11/05/2021 - 13:16

            @asu91:

            the IT support role i got is not what i have expected/ promise by the manager who interviewed me which is putting me on level 1 help desk on the phone for few months before going to level 2

            Wait a few months and you find out? Does level 2 involve more money or just the same money? If it is the same money then what is the hurry?

            • asu91 on 11/05/2021 - 13:21

              @netjock: level 2 is same paid as we are working in public hospital, everyone in the team is same title and same award but it just some people like to be on the phone, 1-2 senior guys doing level 2 which is going to different department and fix the issue on the spot according to the ticket come from level 1.

  • Quantumcat on 11/05/2021 - 11:05

    Is the courier job permanent full time with all the benefits? I would have thought that would be contracting too.

    Are there any IT field engineer jobs that are full time permanent in other companies?

    • asu91 on 11/05/2021 - 11:11

      for courier job i dont think its full time, it will require ABN but i just want to get out of here asap :))

      • Quantumcat on 11/05/2021 - 11:15
        +1

        Won't that be the same problem you currently have (no sure work, no benefits) but not in the job you know you love?

      • nedski on 11/05/2021 - 13:28
        +2

        They want an ABN, thats alarm bells right there. They will pay you a rate and you have to look after your own tax and super. Plus if they pay per parcel, dont expect to make much money.

      • SlickMick on 12/05/2021 - 07:37
        +4

        Courier's don't get paid much. At least in IT you have potential to progress.
        It doesn't sound like you hate IT, just your current position.

        • asu91 on 12/05/2021 - 07:47

          yes you are right :) it just not happy with my current position apart from it got sick leave, annual leave and ADO

  • soan papdi on 11/05/2021 - 11:11
    +5

    It is important to understand if you are unsatisfied with IT or your current employer. With a baby on the way, IT offers work-from-home flexibility that courier work does not. IT also offers opportunities to earn more over time, maybe even get promoted if you play your cards right. FWIW Helpdesk roles are a stepping stone into the organisation. See if there are other opportunities within the organisation, move internally if you can.

    • Catullus on 11/05/2021 - 11:20
      +1

      Absolutely correct đź‘Ť

    • asu91 on 11/05/2021 - 11:23
      +1

      if i work from home i will get stuck with the help desk role for a very long time. it just i am not happy with my current employer which they promised me for level 2 support but putting me to level 1 when i started. opportunity within the organization i think i might be last one on the queue because there are guys waiting to get out from this role to something else like server or telephony team.

      • soan papdi on 11/05/2021 - 11:27
        +2

        Sounds like you just don't like your workplace then. Have you looked for roles in other organisations?

        Certifications are a useful thing to have in IT, even if it's just to get a step up over others. If you want work in the server team for example, see if you can get certifications that relate to the work they do (e.g. RHCSA or something hardware related). This might give you a leg up over those ahead of you in the queue.

      • geek001 on 11/05/2021 - 11:29

        Maybe talk to your manager, maybe he/she wants to see how much you know and start you off in Level 1 support. As a customer, it is pretty annoying calling support and finding out the support guy knows less than you.

        • asu91 on 11/05/2021 - 11:37

          lol but its too annoying for me when user called in with the issue: " how to connect to wireless on his/her personal iphone"……

          • try2bhelpful on 11/05/2021 - 12:48
            +5

            @asu91: Just treat people with respect. Just because it is obvious to you doesn’t make it obvious to others. If you enjoyed your original job then try to find another organisation that does similar where you are an employee.

          • netjock on 11/05/2021 - 13:15

            @asu91: It is actually better to get paid well to answer easy questions (if your employer is not annoyed paying you good money to answer easy questions, why should you?) then have time to research topics you are really interested in. Use the spare time to undertake further education.

            Enjoy the free time. I'd be spending the time to make sure I know everything that a level 2 role involves.

            • Quantumcat on 11/05/2021 - 14:32

              @netjock: My experience is when I don't have much work to do or the job is not at all challenging the day drags on and on and I start to feel depressed, and not really able to do any non-work meaningful stuff while at work. Could be the same for OP.

              • netjock on 11/05/2021 - 15:11

                @Quantumcat: Divert the phone to your mobile and go for a walk. Take your laptop and sit in the coffee shop. If you are not bound to your desk then you are just creating your own prison.

                If you cannot multi task and strapped to the driver seat of a delivery van it is worse.

                Just think OP can't be posting stuff on OzB if they are a delivery driver during work hours.

                • Quantumcat on 11/05/2021 - 15:44

                  @netjock: Many companies rate your performance by how much they see you at your desk, so you don't have the freedom to go for a walk unless it is lunch time. And jobs lower on the ladder are more likely to be supervised like this (you aren't being hired for your ideas and initiative where you get freedom to do things your way, you're being hired to do grunt work). This may not be an option for OP doing level 1 help desk

                  • asu91 on 12/05/2021 - 07:39

                    @Quantumcat: i either have the option to be working from home but it will be helpdesk on call for full 8 hours or keep coming to work in the office. i cant get out of my desk tbh

          • mini2 on 19/05/2021 - 12:27

            @asu91: Dude, that's a Level 1 thing to resolve…it's part and parcel of your job.

  • djones145 on 11/05/2021 - 11:30
    +1

    why not do both!

    IT helpdesk with wireless headset! while doing deliveries (courier and uber even and dleliveroo)

    • asu91 on 11/05/2021 - 11:38

      i will bumped into another car for sure while listen to some users on the phone with issue like "oh i cant open outlook, 3 seconds later its on now dw.. hang up"

      • djones145 on 11/05/2021 - 11:47

        reset 4 times
        pull the plug out for 5 minutes
        let me reset ur profile

        • asu91 on 11/05/2021 - 11:53

          user lied to me" yes ive done that, get someone here asap" =)) when someone come, they just need to reset the computer and that fixed the issue. Then i got complaint why i am not doing my job properly

          • Cheaplikethebird on 12/05/2021 - 09:26
            +1

            @asu91: If this is how you feel dealing with dumb IT questions then you should focus on transitioning out of support to other areas of IT. Level 1 and 2 service desk are all about patience and being able to communicate efficiently and build rapport with non-technical staff members.

  • backpaqer on 11/05/2021 - 11:31
    +1

    Maybe you should ask to get back out in the field and encourage them to follow the menulog example..

  • mskeggs on 11/05/2021 - 12:11
    +1

    Why not look for a permanent role in field service at another company?
    If you like the human chatting etc in that work, you won't get that element as much as a courier where you are under time constraints.

    • asu91 on 11/05/2021 - 12:29

      for my current company its public hospital so wont have any field service at my comany

      • netjock on 11/05/2021 - 15:14

        You need to work your way into business development then go them to build another hospital then transfer back to field service. Easy!

  • Cheaplikethebird on 11/05/2021 - 12:49

    If you target small to mid sized companies they wont have a split between level 1 and 2 and you won't be taking calls just cruising the office sorting out people's issues, etc. Management for those sorts of roles IME tend to lean towards people with good social/communication over technical skills as you're dealing directly with staff.

  • Big Lenny on 11/05/2021 - 13:28

    i know a bloke that makes 140k as a woolies delivery driver..

    • jv on 11/05/2021 - 13:29
      +1

      What kind of things does he sell 'off the back' of the truck?

    • netjock on 11/05/2021 - 15:13

      What is the career path? Or does it just top out at 140k?

      • Big Lenny on 11/05/2021 - 15:26

        there is none, you just do it to get coin

        • netjock on 11/05/2021 - 16:43

          Asked to get paid in Bitcoin if only for coin.

      • Cheaplikethebird on 11/05/2021 - 16:15

        Just need a prescription for diet pills and you're good to go.

        • netjock on 11/05/2021 - 16:43

          Cheaper to just eat less. Oh that would just be too easy and not in best interest of the food and pharma industry.

          • Cheaplikethebird on 11/05/2021 - 16:44
            +2

            @netjock: It's pseudoephedrine. Old mate's not getting 140k as a delivery driver for 8 hours shifts.

    • snooksy on 12/05/2021 - 08:03
      +1

      Yeah I know a bloke who earns blah blah doing blah blah as well. Most wealthy people actually “get paid” little.

  • snooksy on 12/05/2021 - 08:02
    +1

    I work in IT as a developer. I think 2 years out of the field and it would be very hard to get back in. Couriers don’t get sick leave, annual leave or maternity leave. I think there are way more options for progression in IT than being a courier. If you don’t like your current job then try another company after 6-12 months. Also speak to your manager and tell them you were expecting more from the role. Also remember the broader economy had a small recession recently. Many people didn’t get pay rises and a fair amount of work dried up. Be thankful you have a job. There might be reasons why you are stuck doing basic work at the moment due to less work in the organisation. Be careful you don’t end up in a worse situation if you move to a job that doesn’t make you happy and you can’t come back. Also for most people their work is just that - work. It’s not something they really enjoy but they do it because it pays the bill and keeps them safely housed.

    • asu91 on 12/05/2021 - 08:34

      i am already applied for different roles which is both mix field technician or level 2 desktop support without mix with level 1 and got some phone calls for interviews already. I enjoy working in IT but after being 4 years on the field and now sitting back on the desk with the phone is making me like a zombie:) right now i work to pay bills and mortgage but there is any opportunity to get back on the road i will try to apply

  • Aido-3927 on 12/05/2021 - 08:45
    +7

    From someone who was a courier, don't do it. You won't love it. You see people face to face for 5-15 seconds at a time and 90% of them act like you don't exist or they're superior, at least in commercial delivery locations and especially in offices. Residential deliveries you don't see many people and half the people you do see won't be happy to see you on their doorstep, just a natural thing I suppose. You aren't always delivering fun things that people have bought, so not everyone welcomes you with open arms.
    The pay is decent for unskilled work, you may be able to work as an employee for a contractor but most likely be a subcontractor yourself. This will mean fully managing your own tax, tracking your expenses, possibly having and using your own vehicle as well depending on what you get into.
    I was a general courier driver, AM supervisor, Technical Services Manager and 2IC and it was rare for people to last more than one year doing courier work. For every person we had for more than a year we had 3 or 4 who wouldn't. For a place that had 8-10 employees that was a very high turnaround and it was due to people being unhappy with working fast as hell to get paid an average wage. If you didn't work fast, they know about it as everything is electronic and it does get checked and you'll have to pick up the slack if you aren't doing enough.
    Honestly I think the thing you enjoy most is chatting to people and driving around, courier work makes driving not enjoyable, especially if you're in a busy area. I love driving especially performance type cars, but I disliked driving for work. And the chatting to people thing happens way less than you'd expect. There are a couple of people you'll talk to, out of the 60-80 places I went each day (not the same places each day, maybe 120 different businesses and 20-30 different houses per week, I think I ended up chatting more than super basic small talk to maybe 5 of them, I'm still friends on facebook with 3 of them, and one has passed away.
    Also pay wise, I'm an Engineering Associate in the civil field now, and I'm making 2.5 times what I did as a courier, and I worked more hours than the average due to my position (supervisor, 2IC, etc.).

  • MontyMacaw on 12/05/2021 - 08:53
    +4

    How can you be serious about being a courier? Loooooooooong hours HUGE overheads and net pay like an Uber Driver. There is a reason Couriers get good tax right offs - it shows they have a lot of costs and depreciation on their vehicle and equipment. If you want to work for somebody else who has a vehicle then they have to pass on those costs to you through lower wages they can’t get it by charging more because of the competition and companies like, um AMAZON who don’t want to pay ANYBODY in their supply chain what they are worth. Then there is the stress factor and fatigue. You have a baby on the way AND you want to take on all this extra stress?? You would have to be crazy. Almost any other career change would be better for you and your family. Maybe give your new job some time and give yourself some shameless self promotion so you get noticed and appreciated. Seriously I’ve seen some people live to regret becoming a courier, some with psychological problems when they finally escaped. Nobody appreciates a courier. So if you think you are not appreciated now you can expect that to go to a whole new level. You’ve been warned. Your move…

  • Stoozer on 12/05/2021 - 09:02
    +4

    Courier life is good if you like driving and terrible pay. Depending who you work for you would be very lucky to achieve minimum wage.

  • Darayus on 12/05/2021 - 10:08
    +1

    When you are on the road, you are always tight with time and turn around time. If you are delivery in high pedesterian traffic area means shortage of parking space and you have to put your vehicle in no stop or no park area and run to delivery or pick up. Finally if you are bursting and need to go to toilet then god help you if any one will allow you to use thier toilets. I have my neighbour who was working with Toll Logistic and he took his refrigerator truck and he start his day early morning at 4.30 am and finish by 3 pm and he says life is not as easy as he though so especially if you are bursting and stuck in traffic.

  • Willy Stains on 12/05/2021 - 10:16

    +1 for IT up skilling and maybe have a look at joining the sales team with a business specializing in IT. Lots of customer facing in sales.

    • asu91 on 12/05/2021 - 10:21

      how do i start with upskilling to be in the sale team for IT?

      • Willy Stains on 12/05/2021 - 10:40
        +1

        i think looking at advertised job vacancies in this field on seek.com.au
        Note down what they are looking for/requirements and see how you can meet/up-skill to their requirements or have your own unique way to meet the requirements, eg they require years in sales but you have none so you say as quoted by you
        "I was good at my job which is top scorer in the state for the customer service skills"

        Also having a genuine interest in what that company is selling is a big bonus during interviews, eg you are applying to work for Apple in their sales/it help team and you show that you love Iphones and know them all inside and out.

  • HelpMeiCantSee on 12/05/2021 - 12:09

    Field service pays crap but it’s hard to beat the freedom. I used to work for a major pc brand. With half a brain, you can schedule your work into a 3 or 4 hour day and have the odd 4 hour warranty job to attend to.

    Courier driving is gruelling and low paying too, though can make reasonable coin if you’re clever with routes. Having done both (and tech support L1/2), I would stick it out.

    Phone support sucks. Especially level 1, but it’s easy work. You might be able to migrate back over to a full time gig again in field service with benefits. That’s what I did, but I also took a reception job in Brisbane whilst waiting for the FSE gig to come up.

    • asu91 on 12/05/2021 - 12:23

      yes i was managed to schedule my work within 3-4 hours and the rest of the day im just going shopping or stay at home playing games but the jobs getting worst and worst. no management, i got really busy, no teamwork that why i left to get something else but it turn out i am not comfortable sitting on the desk for 8 hours listening someone whinging on the phone everyday

      • HelpMeiCantSee on 12/05/2021 - 12:58

        It’s bloody hard going back from running your own game. Biggest tip I can give is to think about what you want to be doing in 3-5 years time. A year passes quickly, especially as a means to an end.

  • Brendoo on 13/05/2021 - 05:06

    What education do you have? I cannot see how a courier would be better than IT. IT is very highly paid once you have a bit of experience, but you need to get off the helpdesk/support and get involved in building (software) or testing the systems you are supporting. Or get involved in server or network admin. Depends what area your IT knowledge is in and what you like.

    Do you have a degree or some other recognised qualifications in IT?

    • asu91 on 13/05/2021 - 06:51

      i have a bachelor degree in IT and major in System admin. i have graduated in 2013 at RMIT uni

  • Silver-Arrowz on 13/05/2021 - 11:08
    +1

    Stick it out. I've been there and the years paid off. It's all part of the grind. Start getting industry certs to get you out of the helpdesk. The sooner you do this the quicker you get off the desk.

    Some MSP's have engineers going out onsite if that's your thing. Some have people who run projects and don't spend time on the desk but spend time planning and thinking about major rollouts.

    Being out of the industry for too long can be frowned upon. Things move and change rapidly unfortunately in this industry.

    • asu91 on 13/05/2021 - 12:35
      +1

      i have a few phone calls from different agency/msp/private company for the interviews for level 2 support roles. as far as i know with the public hospital role i have now, it kinda stable, salary is good which i have salary packaging as well compare to the private company.

  • djk on 13/05/2021 - 18:24

    Seems to me if you can get to an IT support job at level 2 it is worth sticking at the help desk role for a while. If not, look for IT work. You might consider doing support workers independently, there is a market out there, especially with those on low incomes which could give you job satisfaction whilst you wait for the level 2. Considering that many courier companies are despised and push staff to work for a pittance, as I have seen friends used and abused, it'not an avenue I would choose to follow. Perhaps find something you enjoy and gives satisfaction outside work to counteract the stress from it. Good luck.

  • freefall101 on 15/05/2021 - 17:11

    If you're bored and stressed with a level one support desk after a month, you're going to be even more bored and stressed as a courier. At the end of the day, if your courier work goes well you pick stuff up and drop it off somewhere else. If it goes wrong, it's because an idiot got involved somewhere along the line and ruined that and you get to deal with that. Mostly it's just driving, which gets old. Most people just want to sign for the delivery and for you to piss off too.

    What were you sold in terms of the job and what didn't they deliver? They should have been upfront that it was level one to start with, which is concerning. Have you talked to your coworkers at all to see if this is common, being promised lots and nothing delivered or if it's just the norm for a couple of months? Should be pretty easy to find out if everyone has been promised level 2 but it's not there.

    Have you actually talked to your boss about it before thinking about quitting your job? Did you do that with the last job to find out if you could be made permanent? Usually with a good employee they're happy to talk through your future and what happened between interview and actual job and why.

    And how much is due to covid? I don't know anyone who is full time back in the office (I'm in a team of 100 people, it's lucky if there's 10 in the office any given day. The job I left in Feb my team of 50 was 100% at home), is this hospital you're at 100% back or is phone support still the primary support mechanism, thus driving the workload that way. Once they're back in, that could change. If it really is just a few months, I'd stick it out.

    IMO, give any job at least 3 months, preferably 6. It looks like shit on your resume if you keep bouncing between jobs because you didn't like the first month of it and a lot of IT support people were let go during covid. Phone support you're going to work less overtime than a courier, which is great with the bub on the way.

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