Re: Training and Career

Tech-Archive recommends: Repair Windows Errors & Optimize Windows Performance

Eric
Date: 05/28/04 

Date: Fri, 28 May 2004 08:38:10 -0700

confused@orlacchio.com wrote:

> I am mainframe COBOL/CICS/VSAM programmer with no college
> degree,

I started this way, too.

The biggest challenge for you is to learn about OOP. It's critical that
you understand the "whys" and the big picture of it. Simply
understanding how to code a class and use it isn't enough.

> My last contract ended in September of 2001, although I have
> good references, I have not found a job since then.

I understand. What city do you live in? It seems to me like many of the
job problems are regional. People who are willing to relocate have the
most job possibilities.

> Currently working with Voc-Rehab and starting CBT courses
> to get certified in Network+, Security+, MCSE (70-210, 70-
> 215, 70-216, 70-217, 70-219, 70-220, 70-221, 70-292 and
> 70-296) and Cisco CCNA.

Wow - This is not a programming track. Do you think it's wise to mix
this kind of thing with programming?

> Upon successful certification they would be will to
> sponsor .NET CBT to earn training to pass MCSD as well as
> training for MCDBA, J2SE, JSEE. The CBT vendor we are
> starting with is LearnKey.

LearnKey is probably the best company of this type. However, it sounds
like they're trying to sell you a "bill of goods". It doesn't make
sense for you to try to learn a dozen largely-unrelated computer
subjects! This is fine over a period of many years, but I think you
should learn one area well, and then get a real job. Don't try to
master a dozen subjects before getting a job.

> I have dabbled with VB 6.0, making only small basic stand
> alone programs and some forms interfacing with ACCESS (XP
> version) (over a year ago). I have written basic PERL and
> PHP applications that interface with MySQL. I have NO
> budget for books and lost access to the net for over a
> year. I have only done scribble with Visual C++ 6.0.

I don't understand. A good certification book is usually around $35 at
amazon (a single tank of gas costs me around $17 - 2 tanks of gas and I
can buy a cert book). And dial-up internet access is cheap - I pay $11
per month. Are you in the US? Most libraries have computers and
internet connections for use by the public.

I do understand financial hardship, but the term "investing in your
future" might be something to consider. Is it smart to let someone else
determine your future?

> In short, no business production environment experience
> at all with these products, is it realistic to expect to
> achieve MCSD certification with a CBT with this
> background?

This is where you are seeing the light, but you're too close to
understand what you're looking at. It's just plain wrong to invest
multiple manhours trying to learn a dozen subjects. You should focus
more on a subset, and learn it well. But, you might also need to
relocate to get a job. And you will have to accept a low salary at
first.

Also important: learn how to do well in an interview. Tell a company
why they should hire you, and tell them you'll work cheap just to have
the right to prove yourself.

> And after getting all of these certifications, just how
> helpful will they be without any prior experience or a
> college degree given my background?

Too many certs and no experience makes you look bad. You can't possibly
master all these subjects without practical work experience. People
will think there's a disconnect when they view your resume, and it will
go in the garbage. That's what I would do with it (please don't
consider this to be a personal slam - I'm trying to help you).

> And lastly opinions on CBT's, and the quality of CBT
> vendors.

LearnKey is great.

Eric

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