[TriLUG] OT: Certifications - Education

[Mark Freeze]

I have found that traditional (read clueless) HR departments will look
over a person with 2 or 3 years experience and no degree and hire a
college grad with no experience.  I don't know why this happens other
than it could be that most upper level, non-technical, HR & management
types are looking for some validation that they can relate to their
own experiences. Now we all know the reality: Take two people, equally
intelligent, but with no real work experience. Who would be better
qualified to work a shift at a computer lab or perform tasks in a live
network environment  -- A person who has taken and passed their RHCE
exam, or a person who just graduated from college?  We know the
answer, but I'll bet you that 90% of HR departments in the US would
hire the recent college grad.

One of the saddest things I have ever witnessed was a couple of years
ago when I was running a company in Alabama.  We had a temporary
receptionist and I had to show her how to start and use Excel. All she
really needed to to was data entry several sheets and then total a
couple of columns, but, she had no clue how to get started.  The sad
part is that she was working at the temporary service because she had
just graduated from Auburn with a 4-year degree in MIS and was looking
for what she called 'a computer job.'

If anyone is looking for a job in a traditional environment, the best
thing to have, IMHO, is a 4 year degree from an accredited institution
that everyone recognizes.  Many HR departments look down their
pencil-pushing noses at technical certifications and online degrees.

If you don't have your 4-year degree, a couple of the best programs
(to me at least) are the ones at East Carolina and Florida State. 
Both of these universities will allow you to complete your undergrad
in computer science online.  All you need is a 2-year AA or AS in
general studies from your local college and you can do the other two
years at home while you watch reruns of Friends.  Plus, when you get
your degree, its the same degree as someone who had been at the
college campus for 4 years.  Your degree doesn't say 'Florida State
Online Campus.'  Also, I know Auburn University used to have a
Technical and Engineering MBA program (TEMBA) that they offer online. 
There may be other online undergrad programs at conventional
universities, but these are the only two that I am familiar with.

http://options.ecu.edu
http://online.fsu.edu (Even with an AA or AS make sure you meet the
foreign language requirement on the admission forms.)

"Boy, you need to get a good edumacation.  Just like your dad." --Homer Simpson

Best of luck,
Mark.