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Home > Archive > Certifications and IT jobs/Salaries > June 2001 > Cert/Job Help
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| Eclipse 2001-06-05, 4:31 pm |
| Hey!
I am in need of a little help and advise.
I have been working in the IT industry for about 3 years now, within that time I have covered quite a few aspects of IT - POS/HelpDesk/Network/AS400. Recently though (9 months ago) I shifted across the office to become a visual basic programmer - I have never looked back. I am currently studying for my MCSD and plan to get it before the end of 2001, I also have a certificate in Technical writing.
However, the IT industry here in New Zealand is relatively small and can be very limiting, so, I am currently planning to make the move to "greener pastures". At this stage it is a toss up between the UK and the US. I have a working permit for the UK but not for the US - I would much (much) rather come to the US though.
Can anyone point me in the right direction as to the better places in the US for IT/IS and what certifications are beneficial and possibly any hints on getting a work permit.
All help will be very appreciated.
Thank you. | |
| Nicole 2001-06-05, 4:54 pm |
| Getting an HB1 visa (that's a technical employment visa) requires sponsorship -- meaning that someone will have to hire you and pay for your visa. Not easy since the IT job market is getting tougher here, but not impossible. There's also a good bit of time to get approved (months), so the employer REALLY has to want you. To get in the running, you're gonna need relevant experience to go with those certs and hopefully a Comp Sci degree.
Check out the INS US immigration web site for details:
http://www.ins.usdoj.gov/graphics/index.htm
What about Oz? If you are a N.Z. resident, can't you work in Oz automatically? (Or so I've been told.) | |
| Eclipse 2001-06-05, 5:04 pm |
| Thank you for you advice.
Yes - I can work in OZ no problems at all, however the thought of working in Oz is far from appealing.
Computer Science Degree? Is this a standard for most IT related jobs? I decided against the degree because of advice I took from certain training institutions - short relevant courses were "the go". I am exploring the possibility of a Business Computing degree, is this simlar to the Comp Sci Degree?
I appreciate your help. | |
| Nicole 2001-06-05, 6:05 pm |
| quote:
I decided against the degree because of advice I took from certain training institutions - short relevant courses were "the go".
Yes, I know -- schools that sell certification training here will also tell you that a BS is worth less than a cert  Consider the source! Personally, I think the certification reflects current knowledge much better (paper certs notwithstanding), but HR departments tend to disagree, and it is awfully hard to sail through 4 years of college without learning something.
Truthfully, you can get by without one here (for now), but more and more employers are demanding at least a bachelors for mid-level positions and up, and they usually want to see one in some sort of Computer Science field -- especially the big, established companies that are more open to hiring internationally. IMHO, within the next 5-10 years you'll be hard-pressed to get any job without that silly degree. (I don't have a BS and I sure wish I did...)
BTW, Business Computing sounds great.
I said you would need a both because I doubt that a company would go through the time and expen$e of an HB1 visa for a junior level position. Either way, you are going to have to stand out and be a notch above the local candidates.
One route might be to seek work with a multinational company in NZ (or Oz or the UK)that has US offices, then try to get a transfer.
quote:
the thought of working in Oz is far from appealing
Why? I will very likely be relocating to Melbourne by the end of the year for personal reasons. Any warnings on the situation there you can give me, or is it just a personal preference? | |
| Eclipse 2001-06-05, 6:34 pm |
| Hmm, I hear what you are saying about the degrees, I did consider the fact that my advice came from non Uni/College trainers but the situation here in NZ seems to be a little different in regards to qualifications. Employers here seem to be placing a lot more emphasis on relevant experience and personal attributes as opposed qual's.
How well recognised are diplomas? (Anything to avoid having to get a degree  ).
Your idea about a multinational company is a very good idea and an avenue I haven't YET explored. I will certainly look into that one.
Sorry, I didn't mean to make Oz look like an undesirable destinaton. I was definately speaking from a personal point of view, Australia is a nice enough country (nothing compared to NZ though  ). I was there only a month ago on vacation - Melbourne and Brisbane are definately the pick of the bunch. The "Knowledge Economy" is one that is really taking off in Australasia, although most of the growth seems to be occurring in Sydney, there is still plenty to go around. Although Australia's economy isn't in tip-top shape at the moment, I think that will soon be back on the up - that has been the trend here in NZ anyway. When you go to Australia be sure to take a trip across the Tasman to NZ. | |
| Nicole 2001-06-05, 11:16 pm |
| Thanks for the Aussie info. Everything I have seen or heard about NZ tells me it's a gorgeous country and a great place to live, so I would definately visit. Even if I stay in the US, it's on my wish list.
I know in Oz the cost of a degree is incredibly low. My S.O. got his MBA at Melbourne University for about US$7500. (If I do go, can you guess what one of the first items on my agenda is?!) Perhaps because it's so much cheaper a degree is less valued? It was $20k per year when I went to a major university here, and that was over 10 years ago.
You might get away with faking a diploma... but do you really want to go there? It's a nasty reason to get fired, and word does get around. | |
| Eclipse 2001-06-05, 11:28 pm |
| Yes, I've heard that education can be quite expensive in the US (never realised it was that expensive though). I am able to get my degree in Business Computing for NZ$7500 that is about US$3100 and thats the full course - not per year. That could very well be why the qualifications here are not worth as much.
I never had the intention to fake a diploma, I have actually started enrollment for a Diploma in "Information Systems & Technology for Management", just really wanted to know if they are seen as a very good qualification. | |
| Nicole 2001-06-06, 9:47 am |
| quote:
Degree in Business Computing for NZ$7500 that is about US$3100
*sigh*
Degree names vary from school to school -- companies just seem to want one that's IT related. Either you mentioned would be recognized as an IT degree here.
You can get college degrees for cheaper here, just not at a major private universities. Public schools are cheaper, but still way more expensive than what you mention! | |
| Eclipse 2001-06-06, 3:06 pm |
| Thanks for your help Nicole.
Don't forget to drop by New Zealand... |
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