From: Mike Lorrey (mlorrey@datamann.com)
Date: Sat May 11 2002 - 12:10:21 MDT
slh1iq1hc2kijjr2l3ivpk0@4ax.com>
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I plan to go back and get my comp sci, but that doesn't answer my
original question at all. The IT grant I'm filing for specifically say
that the money has to be spent on a high tech training program that
concludes by the end of September, thus I have to spend it on a rather
short term training program to gain skills that are in demand now. Thus,
I need an IT 'boot camp' and am asking the list members to a) suggest
any areas to study for certifications that are in demand, and b) any
actual schools that offer such courses of study.
Randy Smith wrote:
>
> 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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