network admin vs programming job, which best for wrist problems?

[pood]

Since I got laid off 3 month ago from my marketing manager position, I've been thinking about switching to IT.

I'm thinking of going into either web programming (know ruby, learning php) or network admin (no real prior exp, so I'm likely going to get a RHCE or some related certificate)

Which position will stress my wrist the least? I've had wrist tendinitis the last couple years and it seems like it's getting worse.

Also, which job has the least amount of stress?

 

[chusteczka]

A marketing major switching to IT? Education and skills are important. Good luck to you.

My recommendation is for web programming since the programming is relatively simple and your marketing experience will be an asset.

It is not the job that will stress your wrist, it is how you sit in your chair. Sit up straight, keep your keyboard in front of you at a level close to that of your elbows, and keep your wrists up. Use the muscles in your back and arms for proper support.

A trick I use is to balance my forearm just next to my elbow on the rounded desk edge for support.

A wrist brace will help. I have seen a sysadmin use one before and am surprised not to have seen more people use them. I considered using one for a while but then improved my posture and the use of my forearms to not feel wrist pain anymore.

 

[dfuze]

I would guess the network admin position would put less stress on your wrists compared to writing code all day.

 

[swanysto]

Programming is really stressful unless you can find an easy job, but those are likely all taken. Networking can be stressful depending on the size of the company you are working for, but if you don't have an IT degree and a good amount of experience I am willing to bet you will only have a shot at a smaller company.

 

[0roo0roo]

writing code is not secretary work.
you aren't going to be hammering out 40wpm

 

[wheresmybacon]

I would say Network Admin would be easier on your wrist, but as other's have said, it's not like you just get one cert and get a good job. I think it'd be easier to find work as a coder.

 

[pood]

What about working at a NOC, will that be less stressful for my wrists? I can probably get a position at xbox noc here in Redmond if I learn a little bit of about windows admin.

I've got a steelcase leap chair, kinesis keyboard, and vertical mouse, but things are still going downhill with my wrists.

 

[swanysto]

What about working at a NOC, will that be less stressful for my wrists? I can probably get a position at xbox noc here in Redmond if I learn a little bit of about windows admin.

I've got a steelcase leap chair, kinesis keyboard, and vertical mouse, but things are still going downhill with my wrists.

If you can land that job I would think it would be very good to your wrist unless you have to fill out reports and such.

 

[SunnyD]

Stop fapping, then you can get any job and be fine.

 

[seepy83]

Does it hurt your wrist when you recline in your chair and drink coffee all day? If not, network admin is the way to go.

 

[pontifex]

I would guess the network admin position would put less stress on your wrists compared to writing code all day.

my thoughts as well

 

[iGas]

A marketing major switching to IT? Education and skills are important. Good luck to you.

My recommendation is for web programming since the programming is relatively simple and your marketing experience will be an asset.

It is not the job that will stress your wrist, it is how you sit in your chair. Sit up straight, keep your keyboard in front of you at a level close to that of your elbows, and keep your wrists up. Use the muscles in your back and arms for proper support.

A trick I use is to balance my forearm just next to my elbow on the rounded desk edge for support.

A wrist brace will help. I have seen a sysadmin use one before and am surprised not to have seen more people use them. I considered using one for a while but then improved my posture and the use of my forearms to not feel wrist pain anymore.

I would look into front end programing as well because of the OP marketing background.

IMHO, stay with marketing and look into getting an MBA or something in line with management, because it is might be more rewarding financially and mentally than a coder or network guy.

<--- ex network security admin/DBA.

 

[pood]

I've been looking at all the possible roles in IT and system admin seems like a career I could get into vs network admin.

As far as time actively working on the computer, which position one is less? sys admin or network admin?

 

[Crusty]

A good programmer doesn't write anything, only deletes code!

 

[pood]

I received my rails/ruby cert almost 2 years ago and I haven't really worked with it since I completed it nor have I developed anything major while procuring my cert. So my programming is really rusty, most of the web dev I've been doing is hacking wordpress.

Do you guys think it would be easier/sooner for me to get a better pay job as a sys admin opposed to web dev? There's certs I can get in sys admin, but not any or very few for web dev. So if I want to go to the web dev route, I'd have to develop something that shows that I know my stuff, but would that even be enough to prove to potential employers?

 

[mvbighead]

What about working at a NOC, will that be less stressful for my wrists? I can probably get a position at xbox noc here in Redmond if I learn a little bit of about windows admin.

I've got a steelcase leap chair, kinesis keyboard, and vertical mouse, but things are still going downhill with my wrists.

Not sure about the specifics of your keyboard model, but, after using a keyboard with a downward tilt, I won't go back. Not that it is a spectacular/expensive keyboard set, but my MS Wireless 5000 something (a newegg special) keeps my wrists aligned pretty well and I don't have discomfort. Never did have a serious problem though, so maybe I am just lucky.

 

[pood]

Not sure about the specifics of your keyboard model, but, after using a keyboard with a downward tilt, I won't go back. Not that it is a spectacular/expensive keyboard set, but my MS Wireless 5000 something (a newegg special) keeps my wrists aligned pretty well and I don't have discomfort. Never did have a serious problem though, so maybe I am just lucky.

I've got a kinesis advantage, which does help quite a bit. what actually bothers me the most is the prolonged mousing.

 

[Cogman]

A good programmer doesn't write anything, only deletes code!

A sad reality. A happy programmer gets to write brand new code.

 

[iGas]

A sad reality. A happy programmer gets to write brand new code.

And how often do one get to write new code before the project is shelf (often indefinitely) because there are something else that is more urgent or generates mediate income?