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Greg Neilson
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Caveat Emptor! |
| If you've shelled out big bucks to get certified only to find your IT hopes dashed, you're not alone. |
| by Greg Neilson |
3/8/2001 -- A recent e-mail to CertCities.com contained this quote:
So far I've spent thousands and thousands of dollars to get my MCSE. I got certified in August last year and I still can't get a job that has anything to do with what I was studying and preparing for because of my lack of industry experience. All that matters is experience, and the [certification] itself doesn't have much value to it. I hope I'm wrong, and I hope that all the money I spent, and all the knowledge I got is not going to just go to waste.
This doesn't appear to be an isolated occurrence given some of the e-mails we have been receiving. Unfortunately, I'm afraid I don't have a simple answer that is going to fix this situation.
I'm not able to pinpoint exactly what is at fault here, but this seems to be due to two main factors. First, many of those selling the education that leads to certification are overselling the benefits of certification, setting unrealistic expectations for the participants. This isn't just the MCSE program: A radio ad on my local radio station that sells CIW certification courses promises a great future in the Internet industry as a Web master or Web designer. Unfortunately, this is at the same time that dotcoms are laying off staff in large numbers, so even those with extensive experience are finding it difficult getting their next job. We keep hearing numbers of a skill shortage of x00,000 in IT (the exact number depends on the source), yet I wonder about the real extent of any shortage. Perhaps if we could clone people with two- to five-years experience they would be quickly snapped up especially if they were in great supply, because given the laws of economics, their salaries would drop as the supply increased. But anecdotal evidence suggests there is no shortage at all for entry-level candidates in IT, and remember, those entry-level jobs aren't paying the $60 to $80,000 we often hear about.
The second problem here is that many potential participants don't have any sources of information to temper the marketing spiel from those selling the courses. In an ideal world, if they could at least talk to some IT managers in their local area, they would have a more realistic view of the value of the certification programs as well as their likely future if they completed such a program.
If you are contemplating laying down a large slab of money to complete a certification program in order to enter the IT profession, make sure you understand what you are signing up for, and your likely future once you complete the program. Get some referrals from others who have taken the classes and also from IT managers who have hired people from these programs. There are no shortcuts in life, and certification alone won't be your ticket to fortune and fame. Fortunately, we seem to be seeing less of those ads that promise in 10-days you can complete a bootcamp program and be making big bucks in IT. (Bootcamps are fine for experienced folk that need some time to refresh for the exams, but these aren't a great way to learn from scratch, especially when you haven't worked in IT before.)
Programs that combine training with interships do appear to correct some of these problems. This way, you can get some valuable experience, and you'd be well-placed to secure a entry-level paid position if you make a good impression on the employer.
So make sure you understand what you are getting before you sign over that check to an education provider. If you have some strategies for how to get your start in IT after starting certification, we'd love to hear from you.
What can entry-level candidates do to increase their chances of landing an IT job? Is certification really a smart first-step? Post your comments below!
If you need certification advice, e-mail Greg at .
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Greg Neilson, MCSE+Internet, MCNE, PCLP, is a Contributing Editor for Microsoft Certified Professional Magazine and a manager at a large IT services firm in Australia. He's the author of Lotus Domino Administration in a Nutshell (O'Reilly and Associates, ISBN 1-56592-717-6). You can reach him at Attn: Greg.
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There are 35  user Comments for “Caveat Emptor!”
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| 3/15/01: anonymous says: |
Buyer beware for sure.I finished my MCSE with the hopes of finding work as soon as I got out of school.Seemed like everybody was guaranateeing I would get a job.I had to quit my 70 hour a week job because I had to pass tests before they expired.I had too much invested to bow out now.Turns out they extended deadline to February so I could have stayed working while trying to find work in the IT field. Well 5 months later and still no job.I want to go on to Windows 2000 but I feel with no experience it won't help anyway.Experience is everything I know but how do I get it. I am willing to accept any position with the hopes of getting close to a computer. |
| 3/15/01: zzcatch22 says: |
I agree that the IT field is no bed of roses. I quit my 25 year Computer Tech job because I daily went to the biggest companies on the planet to correct the errors on a 20/30 something that had gotten in over his head. I got A L L the certifications you see in the adds in one year. They confirmed my knowledge and filed in the theoretical holes. My problem is no one believes that I can really be this good. Think of it this way, your hiring Egyptologist, a fellow shows up with 25 years of digging Mummies and Pyramids in Egypt and will work for the same as a CSC 4 year with a cert. Do you hire ? So there I am... < < Z Z > > |
| 3/16/01: Catch 22 says: |
I was doing project management in web development until last summer, when I went for a MCSE to enter the network side. I have had the MCSE since December and been looking for an entry level job now for 3 months. No response, even though I came from an IT environment! The situation really is a catch-22. You study hard, spend the BIG bucks on classes, pass the tests to show you know your stuff, and NOTHING! In my opinion, the IT inducry is closed now and I cannot recommend anyone pursue the the field. It is too bad that is case, but there does not seem to any way to get a job as a new entrant to the field. IT would be better to filp burgers, at least you can eat! |
| 3/16/01: Jenn, MCSD says: |
I like words of a comment further on up the list -eduction is a journey - not a destination. I think it's interesting that there are usually two schools of thought regarding certification - those in the process that think it's the master key to everything IT and those who already have it and see it for what it is - some good foundation material. If you are seeking certification for the purposes of landing that first job, save the pain and money. Quite honestly, experience it where it's at. And although your first job is not always what you want to be doing, attitude is everything. Look at it as an opportunity to gain some experience you might not otherwise would have, and as a stepping stone. In my humble opinion, certification should be used as a means to bring some credibility to already amassed hands on experience and as a way of constantly rounding out your skills ofering. |
| 3/17/01: Anonymous says: |
Should try other certs such as SUN Solaris Certified Admin or HP-UX. They are easier than Microsoft, and less crowded as MCSEs. In IT, everyone respect UNIX or Cisco, but I found that they are easier to get and more important thing is that they still need someone even junior to run the UNIX server. |
| 3/18/01: Anonymous says: |
Contrary to what some of you say, the IT industry is not closed. It is just a matter of timing. I am a CNA (at first, I wanted to be an MCSE, but since I handled Novell [I was administering the network of a small law firm while working as a Paralegal] I decided to certify as a CNA). I took the IT Technician test for the State and finished 3rd in the promotion list. I got lots of availability surveys, but I got discouraged by my first interview. By the time other availability surveys came out, I just said, "What the heck, I don't want to take more time off and waste my time." I had myself removed from the list. Before the test, though, a big law firm wanted me for Network Administrator (I applied as a legal secretary, but they saw my Novell certification). I refused, because it was a 24/7 job, and I considered my responsibility as a mother more important than any career. I now work for the state as an assistant to two banking administrators, but late last year, I kept getting calls from IT agencies like System One, JFC protemps and Tek Systems. Unfortunately, I did not answer any of them because I did not want to leave the State (I love government benefits and the State job allows me to be a mother [unlike those other jobs that require so much overtime, etc.]). Now, with the agency's document and imaging project, they noticed my paperless system with my bosses, my programmed documents, and my databases (people at the agency I work in are not very knowledgeable when it comes to setting up relational databases for tracking information). I have a meeting with the IT project group this week, and most likely they will be coming back to my workstation because I can't really show them anything in a conference room unless I get remote access to my workstation. IT certification might not get an immediate IT job, but it earns respect for any extra abilities you may have. Also, another message talked about attitude. Yes, attitude has a lot to do with it. The no. 1 rule: be humble and open-minded. |
| 3/18/01: disgruntled about losing my says: |
save your money, If you think you canget a position in the IT industry by getting your MCSE you are mistaken. With all the so called schools that teach how to cram and pass the exams in a matter of weeks the certification is worthless, as are most of the people who take these cram courses without any experience. If you are looking for a career in computers learn a programming language like C++. Having taken and passed my MCSE exams after busting my butt for a year and working in the industry for a major computer servicing company I find that my certification will be void in another 9 months unless I shell out more money for the 2000 update, Which I have been told by people who have already taken it is a real mother. Learn a different operating system like unix or sun solaris and stop wasting your time with microsoft. |
| 3/18/01: Anonymous says: |
I just got my MCSE 2000 and I am also a MCDBA. I earned a bachelors degree in 1999 and I have currently found an IT position that pays less than my first sales job out of school. I think of it as a stepping stone to get to my final database position so I would not get too discouraged. Just beware that cert != experience and you somehow need to magically make experience appear to get a job in this industry. Times are tough now and yes the radio announcements for MCSE are FOS, but dont be discouraged. I would suggest to learn how to self-study if you dont already. That should save you some money. The work days fly by now that I am doing something I enjoy so be humble that you have the opportunity to do something you like and it will pay off someday. That most important thing is that I HATED my pointless and futureless former jobs and this one is paying off for me in well-being. |
| 3/19/01: Dave says: |
***You study hard, spend the BIG bucks on classes, pass the tests to show you know your stuff, and NOTHING*** this comment is exactly what is wrong with what the schools are showing you... ie pass the tests and show you know your stuff. Well the NT4 MCSE tests didn't show you know your stuff, just that you know Microsofts spin and can take memorization tests. With the old pre2000 MCSE testing system, you can pass the tests and still only know 20% of what you need, most importantly, employers and other IT people know this so if you think that just because you passed some easy tests that this shows you know your stuff, I'm sorry but you're wrong. All it really shows is that you're intelligent enough to do some bookwork. |
| 3/19/01: Jon says: |
After reading all of these comments, I agree with most of them. The bottom line seems to be that the schools are making it sound like if you get your certificates, jobs will be pouring in. Well, that's not true. For the past year, I've have my resume on 26 on-line job boards, and the only ones pouring in, are offers from other schools trying to get me to go there. I understand and agree that Managers, like "Mr. Anonymous", want Certified Employees with at least 3 years experience to hire, but hey! we all have to start at the begining somewhere, sometime. If no one is going to offer that first IT position, we will never get the experience behind us. The truth is, every employer is afraid to hire somone new, who after a time, learns all he\she can, but can't get the promotion for whatever reason, will leave to go to another company that'll give it along with more money. Mr. Anonymous, what if you were in our place? Would you understand? How hard was it for you to get your first IT job? Most companies I've interviewed with do not accept Internships or Voluntary Positions, or the years we have been using and building computers in our homes, as experience. "Unless you have a W-2 to prove it", it doesn't count, seems to be the their attitude. Myself, even with an MCP, and soon MCSE, I'm willing to start off on a help desk and work my way up. No one should believe that just because he\she has the Certification, that they can walk in and get and do the job. Unless you understand the "Big Picture", which is from the computer user, to the help desk, and all the way up to the Administrator's position, you won't be an effective team member. I'm sure there's alot of us out here that given the chance, even with lower wages, we would accept the positions and do our very best at them. And if the Managers would promote us up the ladder and make the wages comparable to the rest of the companies, I bet we would all stay with the company. |
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