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by donahuem

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I am currently training end users in MS Office and other assorted end user programs. I am also currently attending night school for my undergrad in MIS. I should have my degree in about 2 years. My question is, I would like to get into MIS, networking, etc. I do not want to be a trainer in the future and I feel the longer I do this job the more out of touch I will be and therefore hurt my career chances in the future. I do not have a lot of experience other than the 10 years at my present company, 1 on which was as a computer operator. I know computers and I am a quick learner, but I don't know what I should do. I have tried the online job postings, but my resume doesn't stack up against the other IT professionals right now. I also can't really take an entry level job because I am making in the low 30's right now and I have a family to support. Any ideas? I was thinking of doing some e-learning this summer in networks, routers, etc. Would that help and what are some site that offer it to an indivi

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by calves

I can appreciate your concerns. I've been there, not long ago. In 2 years I went from unemployeed to 75K year. But, I got tell you it takes commitment. This is not something you'll do in your spare time. You'll live it!
But, what I did 2 years a go was to concentrate my studies in Microsoft Networking. Took a few curses (yes, my family had to eat a lot of chicken, no cable, t-shirts for birthdays, etc...)and just with some basic curses and some previous experince ( I have been around computers for 10 years), I got a neat job as network techie making 34K year.
Went out and got me a MCSE Certification.
Got another job for 45K and jumped from 45 to 75 as an IS Manager now.
The market is right and I know my stuff.
To get your MCSE just by the books and study like hell. Get some online help (You can get it off my Web site www.softsolutionsconsult.com).

If you would like to extend this thread just email me directly.

Good Luck!

by ruisi

Its true if you are not networking you be out of touch. One thing that you need to do is always be noticed. It does not matter where you are working if you are noticed you will end up making the dollars that you are aiming for and of course follow your heart. Work hard keep your sights set and imagine that you are there and believe it or not you will be keep in mind Jim Carrey wrote a check to himself for 7mil put it in his wallet looked at it from time to time and guess what it worked
Best of Luck
Bob

by sng

You have good training experience and let that be recognized through certification. Getting a CTT is one way, attending a 3day workshop ($1500) by FKE is another way. And then there is Win2000. You have no choice but to get to know Win2000 unlessyou really wanted to give up Microsoft. Get the W2K Hand-on-Training kit ($130USD) from Microsoft/DirectAccess. This is the greatest since slice bread. Get trained and write the W2K exams to become a MCP. Check the Microsoft Certification web site for detail. Then decide if you want the MCSE and MCT certification. Don't give up. They said there are 400,000 IT shortages in US. You just neeed one of the 400,000.

by jbelina

I agree with sng@canada.com that getting your MCT may be a good way to extend your career potential in the IT training field. Also, if you're interested in networking that the studying you could do to get your MCSE and at the same time teach MCSE classes could get you some of the experience you need to advance to the next level. I would think with your training experience that you could get your MCT and get a job making much more than the low 30's you're making now, but that would also dependon your local job market.

You might even try contacting some of the companies that provide training online and see about getting a position as a trainer online...

Good Luck!
Jeff

(PS. If you decide to go for the MCSE and want some study resources to help you out, you can check out the list I've collected. It's located at http://www.swynk.com/friends/belina/mcdbaresource.asp)

by nate

Perhaps the best of both worlds applies in your case. If you are teaching Applications courses at the present time, perhaps it is best to continue to do so. Just don't do it like you do now. My suggestion to you is, take the low end IT job at 30Kand supplement your income where needed by becoming an independent instructor for applications classes in the evening. The going rate is something around 100-150 a night if you are really good and sell your value. Good luck.

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