[SamAdams76]

I have a lot of friends who spent 10k on things like MCSE certifications looking to change careers that are now scratching their heads and wondering why they did it.

I'm one of those fools! In 1999 I spent close to $11,000 on my MCSE at Boston University. Two nights a week and Saturday mornings in school for nearly an entire year and a whole lot of cramming in between. Just looking at those MCSE ExamCram books sends shivers up my spine!

When I graduated in early 2000, I was very fortunate to realize that the house of cards was coming down and I held on to my current job.

Can't say the training was a total waste though as I have occasion to put it into practice at work and it definitely has made my position there a little more secure. But I still can't look at an MCSE ExamCram book without cringing and regretting all the money I spent on it.

[SoDak]

I was lucky enough to weasel my way into a good job I wasn't really qualified for. All I did was read a lot, had no certs or anything. I've begun collecting them now, so that I wouldn't have to worry so much about convincing the next guy (if there is a next guy, I love my company) that I could do the job.