An nameless reader writes "I've been working as a helpdesk monkey for over a year in a small-medium sized law firm of around 200 users and I don't know if my patience and sanity can last much longer. I'd like to remain in IT, but in less of a front-line role where I can very get some work done without being interrupted every five minutes by a jamming printer or frozen instance of Outlook. There isn't really any room for order at my current employer, and with the weak job market it seems I can only move aslope into another support role. I've been now a full-time Masters degree in a specialized number cruncher* Science area such as databases or Web development, but I don't know if the economic cost and the loss of a year's income and hundreds of themes to suit everyone can justify it. Do any Slashdotters who have made it beyond the helpdesk have any lore or wisdom to impart? Is formal education a good avenue, or would I better off moving back home, getting a mindless but low-stress job, and guidance myself technologies in my free time?"

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