From: lb00197@Corlac (David Porco)
Subject: Re: But how did you get started?
Organization: Lockheed
Date: Mon, 23 Nov 92 17:42:01 GMT

In article <Nov.21.16.03.30.1992.29900@remus.rutgers.edu> map@remus.rutgers.edu (O. C.) writes:


>A few days back, someone posted a maybe real, maybe not post about
>could the net help him keep his job by doing his work for him.  Many
>of the people who responded were kind of sarcastic and what not, and
>well they should be, but the thing that caught my eye in many of the
>posts was the term "real world" vs academic world.  Here is some
>background and then my questions.

This is a very sophisticated question, and I certainly cannot provide 
all of the answers, but here are a few OPINIONS.  These are OPINIONS
based on my experiences and those of my brothers(One is a PhD. and 
the other has a bachelors degree) I am educated by trade school only
IE: IBM, NOVELL Etc..

   1)  Computer technology changes so fast that traditional education
       cannot keep up with it.  This is for many reasons, one of which
       is cost, another is the basic design of traditional educational 
       institutions.

   2) Hiring ANY employee costs gobs of money.  For your first year you
      are basically learning the site, and how it operates.  Each site
      is different.  Employers do not want to "waste" resources training 
      "unproven" employees.

   3) Traditional education provides tools and history.  To draw a trite 
      analogy, Just because you have a tool set doesn't mean that you 
      can actually fix something.  I know... I have a tool set, and I 
      can barely change a spark plug.

   4) The current economy is in such a state, that employers (And 
      educational intitutions) can ask for employees with SPECIFIC
      knowledge and experience.  Lot's of folks are out of work and 
      willing to work for peanuts in jobs they are extremely overqualified
      for.  

   5) The comodity of the 90's is IDEAS.  (Flame me if you like), 
      Traditional education does not prepare one for the task of 
      being underpaid, overworked, and still able to take on additional
      work.  It also does not encourage thinking outside of the lines,
      or prepare you for the task of taking care of yourself in the 
      workplace.  Actually nothing can prepare you for that.  You do 
      acquire skills from your education, but ideas... creativity...
      ownership... responsibility... kick in the face if you mess up...
      loose your jobs, and can't pay the bills if you mess up... ahhh...
      these are the things you can only experience in the "real world".

   6) You gotta pay your dues.  Sorry, I had to (Boy did I).  And every
      other gainfully employed person I know has had to.  I don't like
      it any more than anyone else.  But it follows the axiom that the 
      tried and true methods are the best.  I don't agree, but who the 
      heck am I.

PLEASE don't take this as a flame.  On the upside, with your education 
your earning potential is higher, and your promotability is much better.
You'll probably have to start at the bottom like everyone else, but 
education will help you.  Your knowledge is only a small part of 
being successful.  Attitude, Cooperation, Dedication, and Eagerness are 
as big a part of it as your education.  
.


>This is a serious post by a frustrated entry level person.  Any
>comments as to what my background is lacking, good or bad, I would be
>thankful for.

You have one MORE thing going for you than a lot of "entry level" people
that is, that you are eager, and resourceful.  This was the single most 
important thing in my getting good jobs.

I might suggest that you take a look at the CNE certification process, or 
other trade school type things.  Call some employers that you want to 
work for.  Ask 'em what it would take to get a job there.  I did it 
twice.  That was 10 years ago, and the economy was different... But 
think outside the lines... Be creative, and always be honest and 
maintain your integrity. 

>Thanks in advance,

>Michael A. Anderson

Hope this helps.  Good luck to ya.	
.
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 David V. Porco                  | |      ))))   )  )  )    ))))
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