And that means you don't need a degree in computer science to take advantage of the high-tech boom. For many high-tech jobs, you do need the proper paperwork, says University of Minnesota Assistant Professor Mats Heimdahl . One of those fields is Web development. If you're young and interested in some of these things, going back to college and getting a degree is probably a good idea. But if you're in the workplace and want to switch careers, a certificate program might be a better solution.
Skilled people doing that are hard to come by.
And even a certificate's not always necessary. Recently-graduated high school students can reap benefits from just a few courses, says Kathy Schwalbe , MIS area coordinator for Augsburg College. They might be doing help-desk stuff, but it gets them in the field. But if you're switching fields, she says, an IT certificate will show employers you're serious about the high-tech business. Schwalbe also reminds people to consider their aptitudes and options before plunging into the high-tech arena.