-----BEGIN PGP SIGNED MESSAGE----- Hash: SHA1 On Thursday 01 Nov 2001 19:45 pm, Paul Munro wrote:
I think the last few posts have been indicative of the kinds of things we in the IT sector have to put up with *because* of the MCSE. Let me clarify what I mean: when I started in IT I worked in a local technical college for £9500 per year, for sometimes 60 hours a week. I liked the job, but the financial strain was too much Of course the network manager at the time was on £17500 a year, and only got the job because he had...guess what...an MCP!
Although I'm not job hunting now, I will be in a couple of years time when I've finished my degree. I find it annoying, however, that a lot of places that want system/network admins want people who have an MCSE-type exam. Apart from the fact that I never want to do a Microsoft exam (unless it's free ;-), I wouldn't be able to afford it. This would then prevent me from getting that particular job. I probably have enough knowledge to do quite a few of the various courses like A+ certifications, etc., just not the money. Still, if companies want to require a piece of paper for a job, rather than experience/competence/willingness to learn, maybe they're not worth working for. Remember, MCSE == Must Consult Someone Experienced.
He didn't know how to build PCs, couldn't do even basic scripting, didn't know HTML, and had to get me to install Windows NT Workstation 4 for him to test it for wider use. I had to call MS support for him many times, and he wouldn't entertain Linux at all...he didn't know computers, he knew MS.
Hence MCP - level 1 MS brainwashing :-) You don't need to be able to build computers, or know HTML to become an MCP or MCSE. Knowing HTML isn't even necessary for a sysadmin, although it would help. Anyway, don't all companies that buy PCs buy ready-built, ready-installed Dells? ;-) No need to build or install computers.
I WILL NOT take an MCSE, MCP, MOUS or other MS certification. I love networking, IT, and the industry, but my goals eventually are on some form of Linux certification. Low pay in that case? Maybe. Self respect? Loads. I know LOTS of MCSEs and MCPs, even CCNAs...its just paper in the end..really...a piece of paper that says "you passed one exam". IT support is a lot more than one exam!
It's experience. You get experience by working. You get work by having experience. It's a circle. But you can get into the circle by having a piece of paper with meaningless scribbles on it.
I have MCSE friends who can't tell the difference between a Northbridge and Southbridge chip inside the PC; they can't tell you what the little brown slots are next to a lot of AGP slots on newer motherboards; they can't fix CDROM drive belts that have come loose; they can't grasp SCSI or whatever...and these examples are real!
Again, that comes from experience and a willingness to learn. And just because you can't fix a CD drive belt doesn't mean you shouldn't have a job. Just not a job in fixing CD drives :)
Enough ranting....you get the picture. You guys just keep up the good work, keep learning, keep adapting and maybe even consider Linux certification--Linux is, after all, the future of IT!!!
I'd like to get one. When/if I can afford it, or a company pays for it. P.S. Whoever admins the list - is there any reason why there's no "Reply-To: suse-linux-uk-schools@suse.com" header set? Being a mailing list, it makes sense to me that replies should automatically go back to the list. Dan - -- dankolb@ox.compsoc.net - --I reserve the right to be completely wrong about any comments or opinions expressed; don't trust everything you read above-- -----BEGIN PGP SIGNATURE----- Version: PGP 6.5.8 iQA/AwUBO+GvGpdDUnce+EgsEQLWqgCeMtkaGXEo5ViwhRb48fkATAvoOSgAoIB5 Fg/pEwa/bq8Unlx4CuQVrm68 =/YLR -----END PGP SIGNATURE-----