Upgrading Training and Certification?

An un-named reader asks: "For various reasons, I've been out of the workforce and IT industry since 2000, before which I was employed as an NT-based sysadmin at a large Canadian company. After moving to NYC I found the market flat and got into other work for a while. Now I find myself wanting to get back into IT professionally, but my resume is getting no nibbles at all (over 800 resumes submitted in the last year or so). As a result, I decided to take some training courses to get me back up to speed not just in the W-Intel world, but give me some usable knowledge of Solaris, a CCNA and Checkpoint. Here's where things bogged down. Are there any decent schools out there who have good facilities, good instructors and do more than 'teach-to-the-exams?"

"I checked out just about every 'school' offering training and placement in the New York City area, and frankly each of them almost had me running screaming into the night. Atrocious facilities, hot, stuffy, cramped classrooms and teachers whose every other words are 'memorize this--it will be on the test.'

Most places were shocked when I said I didn't care about certifications and exams. I explained that I need not just the theory but some hands-on experience with hardware that I don't have access to at home, and knowledge sufficient to at least get me something entry-level once again.

I learn best by demonstration and instruction so CBT CD-ROMs and 'go-read-a-book' aren't viable options for me. Since I'm not currently employed, I also need some form of placement assistance as well. Frankly, I didn't think this was too much to ask for until I really started looking. I looked at Learning Tree specifically, but their policies are strictly business-to-business training, not to individuals."

Comments

You may try Mandrake Training Center

[Anonymous Coward]

http://www.mandrakesoft.com/training/offline/partn ers/search?country=us&wslang=en

Nothin, and I mean nothing is getting IT employed

[t0qer]

You and me both have been out of work since 2k...

Any drive up 101 in the bay area would tell you that the economy here evaporated like the water in the salt marshes out in the bay. The mass exodous of people OUT of the bay area since the crash hasn't helped things at all either, since the companies they are retreating from either closed shop, outsourced in some manner (domestic or foriegn) or they've made the coders become coder/tech writer/IT persons/janitors all rolled into one.

I hate to say it, but IT people seem like more of a perk to companies so the coders don't have to take on that roll. Unfortunatly having 20 coders arguing over the network setup usually results in a half-assed network that we IT guys end up cleaning up in the end when the company caves in and decides to make a budget for IT again.

After working for PHB's for 8 years, me and my IT buds are burnt out. Working for people you KNOW are dumber than you eventually might bring you to this conclusion..

If I know i'm smarter than this jackass who can't copy and paste something into his powerpoint presentation, then why is HE the boss, and why am I his lackey?

So my advice to you is don't worry about the job market right now in IT. Most companies are outsoucing IT to save money, so you could go down, file a ficticous business name for 40 bucks and be in business. Be your own telemarketer, call up the CFO's of companies in your area and ask them if they would like to "outsource" IT. PHB's love that buzzword "Outsource"

Woa

[houseofmore]

"NT-based sysadmin"

<CTRL> <ALT> <DEL>

Re:MOD Parent Down - Lame attempt at humor

[houseofmore]

Haha. Yeah... real insecure about Americans. Take a look around!

Re:I'll be the hardass here

[Anonymous Coward]

Wow. I guess it must be great to be able to just instantly learn something by just reading a book. Some people prefer to go to a class, and have someone to answer questions. I don't think nemo is unwilling to to use a CD-ROM, or physically handle equipment. He knows he's going to want to have access to someone that will help him figure things out. Being a genius, I'm sure youve never had to have a tutor/mentor/teacher.

Which explains your (lack of) communication skills.

Re:speaking of certifications...

[Anonymous Coward]

The bum prolly have good grammar tho

Re:speaking of certifications...

[M|tzi]

I am a dimwit and incompetent, so is my mother and neither of us has an A+ Cert so get your facts right!!!