Certifications and IT jobs/Salaries - Do training institutions REALLY matter?

Author

Do training institutions REALLY matter?

Drdoc07

2004-12-06, 7:25 pm

For the last couple of weeks after finishing my Network Security program at a private technical college, I have been applying for every single computer tech and helpdesk job I can find. Most of the places admired my enthusiasm and determination but did not hire me (I did get a couple of interview though btw). However I went to this local computer store that was looking for some extra help and talked to the owner. As soon as he saw where I went to school at he put my resume in the shredder and basically said I was not qualified. I of course asked him why I was not qualified and he said that the training I received while in that program was literally junk, and that the school doesnt care about its students nor does it care about preparing them for the field.

Now here is the wierd part. He is actually letting me come in nonetheless to see what I can do. While I welcome any chance I have to get experience, I know for a fact that what he said about my school being a "pile of crap" is going to be eating at me. What do you guys think, does where you receive your training matter? or does experience > everthing else?

curiousgeorge

2004-12-07, 3:38 am

Your situation is the same as ANY person just getting out of college. I remember when I got my first degree, I thought I would automatically get a job offer just because I had a degree.

The same goes for anyone getting out of a technical college. You are fighting for the same job as everyone else. And many of the people looking for jobs in IT have years of experience.

Just like every other college grad, just be patient and hope you get a lucky break.

Good luck my friend.

ZacDogg

2004-12-07, 11:43 am

Stay with it. It took me at least six months and hundreds of resumes sent before I obtained my first position.

Zac

phantomfreak

2004-12-07, 5:26 pm

I graduated from a State University with a BS in EE and CCNA, CCDA... took me 3 months and over 450 LEGIT resumes before my 1st interview and this was in 2002. I say LEGIT because I would taylor each resume to the position I was applying for.

Good Luck and Happy Hunting.

onoski

2004-12-07, 7:36 pm

ZacDogg, just six months and you landed your IT post I'd say you were favoured or the job market in the states isn't really that bad. It took me way longer than six months to land a break in the IT field after countless interview let downs. I'd say hard work coupled with persistence is what would make you break into the IT field these days. Best wishes and don't give up as you'd get a break when you least expect

. Cheerio and keep the hope alive.

walterbyrd

2004-12-10, 12:12 pm

I've been in IT a long time. Employers will pre-judge based on god-only-knows-what. They jump to conclusions like mad. They have bizare pre-concieved notions that they will never shake. Techies, who are generally *much* more reasonable, often have a difficult time understanding managerial mentallity.

If an employer has one good experience with a student from X college, that employer may forever more be biased in favor of X college. It can just as easy go the other way. In fact, if somebody the employer respects states "X college is crap" then the employer may forever more not even consider those from X college. I know employers who won't hire anybody with *any* degree above high-school, for a software developer position. If you want to know how employers think, I recomend you read a lot of Scott Adams (creator or Dilbert) books.

Of course the same mentallity applies to certs. If an employer has one bad experience with an MCSE (for example), that employer may dismiss the MSCE as uselss.

Also, employers will jump to conclusions about what you do and where you want to go, in ways that can make a cert or degree hurt you. For example if you have a CCNA, some employers may assume that you are, or want to be, a cisco guy; even if you significant experience in UNIX (for example). If you have an A+, the employer may assume you are a PC tech, even if you have experience as a windows admin.

It's just the way things work in IT.

Kasor

2004-12-11, 12:11 am

Experience is everything right now.

College is a must (for yourself or the future)

Certification just add a extra step, but experience is what they really looking for..

Drdoc07

2004-12-12, 2:28 pm

Thanks for the replies guys, I went in to try out for the position a few days ago and while they were not exactly impressed with my technical expertise, they did comment on my enthusiasm and my desire to learn, which I know goes a long way with any job, not just IT.

Basically they gave me a test system and I was told to troubleshoot and install windows 98 as well as all the drivers. Because I was a bit nervous I had a bit of a problem with the hardware troubleshooting but in the end it all worked out. They said they were going to let me know tomorrow (Monday) as to wether or not they want me permanently or not. If they hire someone else, no biggie. At least I know what to expect and I will just find another place to get experience, even if I have to volunteer at a computer shop.

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