[hunter112]

If she'd spent her time studying real science instead of "social science," she could have had a good job.

Not necessarily. I spent two years from 2001 to 2003 in a community college getting a network administration degree, and can't find work in that field. I'm looking into going back to work in the field that dropped me on the street back in '01, since I at least have "experience". In the computer field, they want you to have five years of experience in a technology that's only been out for four years, so you pretty much have to have been a beta tester way back when in order to meet the requirements.

College seems to be a big waste of people's time, and taxpayer money, anymore. Degrees only impress other academics, and government agencies that hire only relatives of people already working there.

[dawn53]

What about certifications?

Do you have Cisco certifications?

My husband had a two year degree and was doing pretty well in the field, but when he got his Cisco certifications (he studied on his own and then took the tests) it really helped advance his career.

[myself6]

While experience is the best tool for getting a job in the IT field, certifications in specific hardware and or software will help you get in the door. A general degree in computer science is meaningless to an IT manager going through resumes.

If your young enough, you should think about joining the military for tech training and experience. The Navy now has an IT rate that might be perfect for you to get the desired experience and training (you might even get professional certifications out of it).

It worked for me...

I joined the Navy after getting married at age 18 (wife was 17 , child on the way). Became an ET (Electronics Tech), went to multiple "c" schools for communication, navigation, radar and computers. The most important thing I learned during those classes was how to troubleshoot complex systems.

Got a lucky break at a duty station and had the opportunity to get my Novell CNE classes and tests paid for by the Navy (professional certification). So I walked out of the Navy with a great certification and the skills to troubleshoot extremely complex systems. BAM! 8 years later, Im doing better than I had ever dreamed possible.

I know this sounds like a commercial but its all fact. The only caveat to keep in mind, is that you will have to work harder than you have ever worked in your life to make it. You will have to motivate yourself to keep achieving the next goal. If someone else has to motivate you, your screwed.

Think about it...

BTW, dont let the other branches fool you, the Navy will give you the best training on equipment and software that is easily transferable to the civilian world. Dont be suckered into anything other than what you want either. If you want the IT rate then dont settle for anything else. NEVER NEVER NEVER let them talk you into being an EM (Electricians Mate) thats just basic electricity. If they try to talk you into BM or BT.... RUN! =)

[WildTurkey]

College seems to be a big waste of people's time, and taxpayer money, anymore.

You would have high school grads designing nuclear power plants and skyscrapers and voyages to the moon? I think not!

[John Robertson]

Friend, I know I'm going to hit a nerve here, but everything you said in your post telegraphs such a bad, negative attitude...that comes through in interviews. That's why you're not getting hired.