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Career Advice Needed

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by penguinsrule 1 view

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Greetings! I have been an OpenVMS System Administrator for my entire career. I have over 15 years of solid OpenVMS Experience. I was caught up in a layoff at Stora Enso, a paper mill in Wisconsin Rapids, WI in August 2002. Realizing that the job market for VMS Professionals was essentially non-existant I went to UW Madison following my layoff, and I earned my Masters Cert. in Project Management, and then I passed the PMP exam. I have still not been able to obtain employment. The problem I am having is that I do not have any software experience, and all the employers I spoke with looking for project managers wanted software people - or people with financials, enterprise software, etc.. I really could use some ideas as to how I should market myself, and where I should market myself, and I would appreciate ideas about retraining. I am willing to consider retraining, but I am much more limited financially since I have essentially been out of work for 27 months. I have been selling military collectibles for the past year, and my business is growing but I am still very far from this being able to support us.
I am so thankful for anything you may wish to share with me. I'll answer any questions you may have, and I will also share my resume on request. Thanks Rick Nickles

6 replies

by mikex

Yes unfortunately for you if you're going for a position of a PMP you'll need to learn all of those nasty software packages :), use your skills and look for a position where you have experience.

by sridharpandu

Would suggest that you start devoting spare time to projects on http://www.sourceforge.net. Pick one project you like and stick to it. You'll be able to pick up all the knowledge you'll need.

In the meantime also search for jobs. You'll definitely see some improvement in the way you handle the interview sessions.

Otherwise you could also consider shifting to administering UNIX and LINUX systems. The transition would be less painful.

by ge3putt

I am having the same difficulties as you. I have a lot of years of experience in VMS sys admin, and data center support. Even in NYC, very few VMS opportunities are available. I haven't had anything satisfactory come my way for over one year now.
I enjoy the technical side, so I will be looking to gain and RHCT and then RHCE asap, so I can restart myself, and hopefully join the workforce again. It looks like a lot of work (gulp) in front of me, but I must get it done.

VMS is a superior operating system, however thanks to curious thinking, and planning by people at DEC, Compaq, and now HP, it never gets any recognition, and never builds any momentum with college kids, or newer businesses to sustain itself better. Now you and I, are where we are. Good luck.

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