| Topic Name: |
Any comment |
| Message Name: |
Not sure there is an answer you will like |
| Date Posted: |
10/09/2001 |
| In Reply To: |
Hi
I have no experience but finished MIS master degree next year.
To fortify my technical knowledge and get a job in this hard time, I am thinking of preparing certificate.
I am considering MCSE and Oracle certificate.
Which one is better to get a job with my background?
Any comment would be very appreciated.
Thanks |
| Message: |
First, I wouldn't even concern yourself with certificates and/or pieces of paper. The bigger issue is that you don't have experience. That should be your real focus.
To have an MIS master degree devoid of experience is pretty unusual and this is the barrier you must get past, so don't let yourself get bogged down by certificates.
Second, surely you are aware by now that this is a down markert. The recession was caused only to a small degree by the Attacks on America. Mainly, the recession is a result of the falling stock market, which is driven by the total meltdown of the NASDAQ, and THAT is a direct result of all the 'dot coms' being turned into 'dot bombs'. This caused a giant ripple effect throughout the nation and world. For example, I've done work for a furniture distributer. They've lost a ton of money because of the dot bombs that couldn't pay their invoices. That reduced this company's bottom line tremendously causing layoffs. Sorry to say, this is what you are up against.
Just like in the last recession of the early 90s it's very tough for IT professionals. Making it worse is the fact that even today corporate America is still hiring cheap H-1Bs from India, Russia, and other countries to fill jobs here in America, and thus leaving Americans out of work. It's not very loyal to Americans now is it? No it's not but that is one of the facts of life right now, and an entire issue of itself.
So what do you do then? First, lower any expectations of salary, and forget about any signing bonus like you heard about 2 years ago. Those days are gone and you missed that ship. Find the best gig you can, but in the end, settle for anything that will get you working (earning income & something to put on a resume).
Employers aren't overly concerned about certificates - at least not the ones that know what they are doing. It's the dummies that are big on pieces of paper (i.e. certificates, degrees). Got them myself, no big deal. Employers that see beyond their noses are looking for substance, or at least a good sales job.
So you need to have one or the other. There are plenty of people that talk themselves into jobs. The ones that are good and do it often are called management.
Good luck.
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