I want to play (and enjoy) machinist but I have some major concerns

[Ayuhra]

DPS is a different sort of monster compared to tank and healer. Sadly it is true that they are frequently dehumanized. You aren't even seen as a damager (like tank or healer)! You are Damage Per Second. A number.

And there are a lot of DPS out there and you are easily replaced.

That said there are DPS jobs that are worth being aware of. Moreso than the tank or the healer a good DPS is very aware of the battlefield and will CC enemies as needed (BLM seems to be particularly good for this). Bards can sing to help allies. Physical damage dealers are the ones desired most (at present) for high damage, single target Limit Breaks.

I think, since you've tanked and healed you can get the hang of DPS very quickly. You'll know when to CC, what targets to attack, etc, based on your knowledge of tanking.

The big thing to remember about DPS is this: Yes there are a lot of us and a bad DPS can be easily kicked aside but a great DPS is a thing of beauty. Healers heal the team, tanks hold the attention of the dragon, we make the dragon be not alive anymore.

(For whatever it's worth I'm a new player so in terms of gear and precise skill I'm hot garbage compared to many. I've never been kicked. People seem to be pretty tolerant of players new to their roles.)