My job only requires an Associate's degree. However, since being here I've voluntarily completed my Bachelor's, and am now a grad student working on my Master's. Not because my employers have asked me to, and not because the degrees get me a raise or anything. Rather, it's because some day I may not be working here. In the current economy, even traditionally-safe public sector jobs can't be counted on for stability. I've got over a decade of professional experience and a broad knowledge base, but the degrees are the icing on the cake. An insurance policy. If I end up competing for a job with another guy who's as good as me, the degrees will give me the edge.
Plus, I've actually learned a lot that has helped me with my job. Working on my Master's has forced me to study things that I probably wouldn't have voluntarily studied, but that have benefited me and made me a better employee. John Hornbuckle MIS Department Taylor County School District 318 North Clark Street Perry, FL 32347 www.taylor.k12.fl.us<http://www.taylor.k12.fl.us> From: Sean Martin [mailto:[email protected]] Sent: Friday, February 06, 2009 3:16 PM To: NT System Admin Issues Subject: Re: SUSPECT: RE: MCSE question IMO, certs may help identify a potential job candidate as someone with the drive, determination and discipline to study for and pass certain exams. I agree that it in no way helps identify someone qualified for a position over another candidate with experience. It just shows that person recognizes what employers are looking for in a potential candidate and that the candidate was willing/able to obtain those required "pieces of paper". I've been at my current job for over 7 years now. I have about 11 years experience total. I feel that I'm effecient at my job and I'm always researching/educating myself on new technologies. With that said, I haven't taken a Microsoft exam since I obtained my MCSE on NT4. I've since only obtained a CCA for Presentation Server 4.0. I've had no pressure to obtain any certs from my employer so I haven't. In fact, I've told both of my managers that if I start passing exams it's because I'm padding my resume in preparation for moving on to another job :) - Sean ~ Finally, powerful endpoint security that ISN'T a resource hog! ~ ~ <http://www.sunbeltsoftware.com/Business/VIPRE-Enterprise/> ~
