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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 144  user Comments for “Caveat Emptor!”
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Page 1 of 15
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| 3/13/01: David says: |
I was in a similar situation at the end of 1999. I was in sales and made it a point to talk to EVERYONE that worked in IT about my training and certification (MCSE). It didn't interfere with my job at the time because I was required to find out what their occupation was anyway, and I needed to establish a rapport. Anyway, I basically networked myself into an interview, and was able to sell my ability to learn quickly. I presented myself as a professional, and was able to win a job as a LAN admin. I've even been able to earn the respect of my peers, who didn't want me hired because they thought they would have to fix my mistakes. Good luck! |
| 3/13/01: Jim says: |
I have 5 years with NT, MCSE 4 and CNE, and am finding it difficult to get interviews. It seems every job has a least one skill (or cert) I do not have. Most of the positions out there are paying sinificantly less than the one I had. I am not too troubled by all this, because I am using the time to prep for MCSE 2000, but this market is not favorable to job changes, I fear. Without experience, I cannot imagine getting a job. Most want 3-5 years and consider me overqualified (I also have a MS in Computer Software Engineering and one in Management). Some of this may be age discrimination, some just the effect of a glutted labor pool (why are we importing the foreigners, anyway, if there is a glut?). We are forever in a churn of not having the "right" experience. |
| 3/13/01: Anonymous says: |
The MCSE track is not supposed to be used as entry level. As a project manager I would not hire a new MCSE without at least 3 years desktop support experience. I've been in this field a long time and have worked for quite a few organizations. I've seen MCPs holding down MCSE positions because they have the experience (time in field). At the worst end I've seen companies transfer someone from the mail room and send them to class for MCSE while learning the "companies way of doing things" on the job. When they do this it is cheaper on the budget than hiring a new MCSE with no experience. MCSE is not a guarantee of a good paying job. I would like to see Microsoft require 3+ years of verifiable desktop experience before even taking the exam. This won't happen do to the demand in some areas or countries, but it would be nice. I would also like to see a masters level MCSE like Novell or Cisco that is a hand's on test administered by Microsoft. Those things would add some accreditation to the Cert. |
| 3/13/01: RIP-OFF BIG TIME says: |
Though the MCSE is not a sure way, by no means, in securing a job in the IT field. And I for one feel like I was cheated/tricked by peers, newspaper ads, etc, into getting my MCSE. It did not get me the job that I wanted but I was fortunate enough to land a position to get my foot in the door. My current position has nothing to do with my MCSE. Now I am pursuing another certification that actually compliments my current position. A large portion of me feels like it's a rip off. I did benefit from it somewhat but I'm seeking another certification to actually compliment my job experience I'm receiving now. My advice to anyone who is thinking about getting his or her Cert. is to not take out a loan like I did (big mistake). I would advise self study which I am doing now. |
| 3/13/01: Hank says: |
This is the law of supply and demand at work. In 1998-1999, demand for MCSEs was at peak due to the large number of companies swapping out most or all of their PCs for Y2K. Since many projects were also deferred until after Y2K, there was a lot of pent-up work in 2000 itself. However, once that subsided, things returned to normal, and the demand for MCSEs - with any or even no experience - at any price - went away. The current economy will depress that even further. It's a shame that training companies are still advertising as if the MCSE was the automatic ticket to success it once was. But to comment on two points: First, I think most of the demand for H-1B visa people is in software development rather than LAN administration. So you should have gone for an MCSD instead; but the dynamics of that market are entirely different from MCSE. Second, self-study with hands-on experience will usually be more rewarding for most entry-level job seekers, unless they have a lump sum earmarked for retraining (e.g. part of a layoff payout). But the column title says it all: Caveat Emptor! |
| 3/15/01: John says: |
I've been working in the IT field for over 20 yrs. I had been using Microsoft products since Windows 286 & Multiplan. I was informed by my employer at the time that if I wanted to be promoted to the next level that I would need to get my MCSE. Well, I used 2 sets of course books with exam tests on cds. I Completed my MCSE in 6 months. My employer did NOT promote. I went & found a better postition at another company, the MCSE was looked upon as a definite plus. |
| 3/15/01: Anonymous says: |
To people with any certification.I had no experience in the IT field and I managed to get my MCSE in 4 months working hard at it.One must remember the IT industry took off in the mid nineties and an average user of computers is enjoying the benefits of this growth. The new IT stuff cannot have experinced people anyway for obvious reasons. I have got a fairly good job and if you can show that you are willing to learn with a good attitude and that you can be part of the team you will end up like the others who have done well in the industry. Don't give up,remember that education is a journry and not a destination. |
| 3/15/01: Pete says: |
Has everyone lost perspective? Many if not most 4 yr grads don't start at the top. An MBA does not net CEO status. To start at the bottom in IT is still head and shoulders above any other entry level position I know of. "And I even had to look real hard for a job" = don't come near me or my network. Ever. "I have a cert so you owe me a job". That's an attitude which will get you hired quickly. Please be realistic and honest about what you do and don't know in terms of running a network. And be just a little humble. The market changes constantly and that's a reality. One day you're hot and the next it's 404. What can I say. Work hard then harder for what you want. The environment in which IT occurs is part of IT. Maybe you can't handle that part of it. I'm done, now. Thank you. |
| 3/15/01: Tim says: |
The combination of certifications and good project experience is what ultimately makes it a breeze to get your next job. Years of experience help but the project work you get is more important in the long run. For newbie's I strongly suggest getting certifications because getting projects simply isn't an option. Don't over-sell your certification in the job interview because it won't fly. Do use your certification as evidence that you learn quickly and are self-disciplined. Don't be upset about taking a low paying job for your first 1-3 years. Simply keep upgrading both your certifications and your projects and you will eventually get $100k+ salary offers. My salary & benefits quadrupled in my first 4 years. I think anyone can do it. |
| 3/15/01: Kevin says: |
Why is it that Information Technology is seen as different to the rest of the world, especially by those in it? IT departments in large corporations and the government, and the IT industry in general, are shrouded in mystery, and the IT industry has developed its own esoteric language and its own set of performance indicators. Noone outside these departments, or indeed outside this industry really understands what they do, or how they do it. This situation is fostered and nurtured by those within the industry and one can only speculate about the reasons for this, though some advantages are immediately apparent. The experience/qualifications quandary for job seekers is not peculiar to the IT industry. It is the same in every industry and every profession, trade and occupation. The reality is that formal qualifications alone are not enough. Formal education needs to be complemented with practical real world experience to produce effective results in the workplace. Another reality is that smaller companies cannot afford the downtime involved in providing on the job training to new graduates with limited or no practical experience, and larger companies will only employ a limited number of inexperienced people. Another problem that IT graduates, and especially MCP graduates face is that they think they know everything. It is partly due to the extravegant claims of training providers, but is mainly due to due to the IT culture, in particular he attitude that computer illiterate people (in itself an offensive term)are stupid. These "stupid" people include successful business people - ie employers. I have owned and operated several businesses and I have employed people from a wide range of technical, professional and skilled areas and I have never seen the level of arrogance (although this does seem a harsh word) at interview, or in subsequent work performance issues, as displayed by IT people. So, my advice, as a prospective employer, to job seekers with Industry Certification and limited work experience is to firstly accept that this does not qualify you for immediate employment in this area. Accept that you still have a lot to learn. Be prepared to accept a lesser position to acquire some practical experience. |
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