From: Randy Smith (cryofan@mylinuxisp.com)
Date: Sat May 11 2002 - 10:42:12 MDT
On Sat, 11 May 2002 09:43:54 -0400, you wrote:
>Okay: I'm 34, with a couple years of college credits piled up from
>different schools. I've owned and run my own business developing energy
>efficient lighting products, and for the past 6 years been doing
>contract computer consulting of various sorts: AutoCAD, publishing
>prepress, graphic design, technical writing, website development, list
>processing and presort programming, as well as office computer
>application and hardware support. I've a ton of experience and skills,
>but no certifications and an unfinished degree. As far as HR people seem
>to be concerned, I am both overqualified and underqualified at the same
>time (fancy that).
>
I didn't mean to denigrate your possible chances of getting a job in
IT no matter what your age, etc. It certainly is possible, even though
the field is extremely crowded, and foreign labor is (currently) being
imported. My own situation is an example of how you might be able to
break into the IT field. Hell, I got my first IT job less than a year
ago, at the age of 44!
Here is my advice: use your competitive advantage, namely your verbal
skills. This is a skill area that virtually no imported labor can
match. The fact that you are an extropian means that you are (almost
certainly) very widely read. Get a Comp Sci degree (as I did,
graduating at 44) and get a job in intellectual property (e.g.,
writing software patents), where a humungous vocabulary (esp. a
technical vocabulary, which you likely already possess, given your
varied background), and highly refined grammatical/syntactical skills
are almost a must. The job typically comes with a nice salary, a
skyscraper office and a secretary.
Shop around for a school in order to maximize usage of tests to gain
credit without taking classes. I realize relocation may not be an
option....
Also, many IP boutiques will pay for law school, if you can get
training by breaking into the field.
>Randy Smith wrote:
>>
>> On Fri, 10 May 2002 16:34:31 -0400, you wrote:
>>
>> >I suppose on this list I really should have expected absolutely no
>> >answers, just more questions or excuses why the question shouldn't be
>> >answered.
>> >
>>
>> Well, I am sorry, but I think my questions were relevant. I have some
>> knowledge in this area (I work in the software field, and I am a
>> former educator). Your age and education are vital for any advice I
>> might give. I seriously doubt I would even recommmend many people
>> pursue training in the IT field unless they already have a degree and
>> are young.
>>
>> >Randy Smith wrote:
>> >>
>> >> On Thu, 9 May 2002 22:02:07 -0700, you wrote:
>> >>
>> >> >----- Original Message -----
>> >> >From: "Mike Lorrey" <mlorrey@datamann.com>
>> >> >To: <extropians@extropy.com>
>> >> >Sent: Thursday, May 09, 2002 6:06 PM
>> >> >Subject: IT boot camp...
>> >> >
>> >> >
>> >> >> Well, NH is offering grants to displaced IT professionals to get
>> >> >> retrained in needed specialties, so I'm planning on applying for one
>> >> >> ($6250) to go to an IT boot camp, but I need to find one that offers
>> >> >> what I need. First off, what do I need? What skills are hot on the
>> >> >> market now? One fellow told me that Oracle skills are in hot demand in
>> >> >> this area. Anybody have any suggestions, as well as for suggested
>> >> >> schools to go to for the boot camp???
>> >> >>
>> >> >> Mike
>> >> >>
>> >>
>> >> What was your specialty before? What is your education/interests? Why
>> >> pay 6K? You can read any books you need for < 6K?
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