Feeling Stuck in Tech Support? Seeking Advice on Switching to My Dream Role in the Company

Hello all,

I have been placed in a medium-scale MNC company. I started my career as a trainee in Tech Support. I am interested in the X field in our company and not in tech support. For that, I talked with a senior technical person in the X field in our company. He instructed me to study the required things so that in the future, I can work in the X field in our company.

The problem is I have been placed in that company as Tech Support, which is not what I am interested in. Now, once the workload increases, HR may not permit me to work in the X field. In this case, what should be my approach? Should I inform HR about this, or should I ask the senior technical person to help me switch?

I know that once my workload increases, I will have to concentrate on what I have, i.e., tech support. Please help me out with this decision.

Thanks & Regards,
Max

Hello Max,

Since you are working in an MNC, you must be filling out a self-appraisal as part of your annual appraisal (assuming you have completed 1 year of service here). Why not mention it in there? You will be putting your aspirations on record and can take it from there whenever you want to pursue it. In the worst-case scenario of not getting what you want and wanting to leave the company, this would lay the groundwork for such a decision.

Also, consider looking at the whole issue from another perspective. Why is it that you are not being moved from Tech Support despite asking many times? Maybe you are more suited for such a role rather than in the X field? Sometimes, others can recognize our strengths better than we can ourselves. Give this some serious introspective thought.

Regards,
TS

First of all, I would like to thank you for your valuable reply. I have just joined this company as a fresher and am about to complete my first month. I recently had a formal discussion with a senior person in the X field who conducted my interview. He noticed my keen interest in the X field and believed I have the potential for it, as he mentioned during the interview. However, due to the immediate need for tech support, I had to join that department. While I am learning new things in tech support, my core interest lies in the X field. After my joining, he introduced me to others in his team, and now we are in contact. They have advised me to study for the X field.

Now, I am curious about HR's decision if in the future, they require resources and inquire about my transition to their team in the X field. Will HR simply deny my request to switch fields? If so, how should I proceed? I am concerned that my current 24*7 team may not easily release me for another project. Currently, I am assigned to a new project in the 24*7 team (tech support), and if the situation arises where I need to move to the X field, they may be reluctant to let me go as the project is new, and only our current team members are familiar with it.

It's like seeing the chocolate in front of me but not being able to eat it! Please provide your insights on this.

Thanks & Regards,

Max

I didn't realize you completed just 1 month. First of all, do 'wholeheartedly' what you have been given to do. If you neglect the present work given, you are creating a danger of your 'later' request for a shift to X department to be ignored altogether. Try to cross the bridge when it comes... rather than being in tech support physically, but with the mind elsewhere—you will end up doing justice to neither and in the process hurting YOUR CAREER... no one else. Maybe the assignment of the new project in 24x7 tech support came your way to prove yourself? Put your full focus on the job at hand and work wholeheartedly—the shift you are expecting will come your way WHEN YOU ARE READY.

By the way, why do you hesitate to mention what the 'X' means?

Regards,
TS

Once again, I am very thankful to you for continuing this discussion. Firstly, I apologize for not mentioning the value of X, which in this case is Penetration Testing. I omitted X to avoid causing confusion with my question. You are correct in advising me to focus on what I have presented. However, my concern is that while concentrating on this project, I may inadvertently steer my career in a direction that I am uncertain about. As far as I am aware, the technology involved is somewhat dated, and I may not have ample opportunities in the market in the future. Nonetheless, I appreciate your suggestion that I should establish myself in tech support first. I am committed to giving my best effort and have even planned to pursue certification that could potentially benefit me in transitioning to my field of interest. Thank you sincerely for your valuable response. I will continue to update you on my progress if you don't mind. Once again, thank you very much for your assistance.

Regards,
Max

Sure, you can post whenever you are stuck—if not me, I am sure someone else will advise you. After all, that's what this forum is for... right?

Regards,
TS