Chiropractor seeks Advice

[JaneDoe]

Hello Everyone,
I am a chiropractor (Calif) seeking any and all info.
Although I've been involved in healthcare most of my life,
I find computer technology fascinating, but I have no idea where to start in attempting to learn about with a view to being employed.
I would like to steer clear of a 4-yr degree program, but am open to diplomas, certificates, and the like.
Can someone out there PLEASE give me some insight.
Any and all help will be truly appreciated.
Thanks.

 

[kjonnnnn]

Certifications might be up your avenue.

Novell has various certifications and so does Microsoft:

http://www.microsoft.com/trainingandservices/default.asp.

Even before start any class, get some books on the basics of computer hardware too.

Read about the various aspsects of computer technology (and there are many, hardware, software, OS's, networking, programming, web design....) and find one the you'd like to study.
[sig][/sig]

 

[JaneDoe]

Hi kjonnnn
Thanks for your reply.
What does OS mean? Sorry, I REALLY AM starting from
scratch.
Also, when it comes around to employment, do computer
companies look for a (computer)degreed professional over
someone who has certificates and diplomas?
Your insight appreciated.

 

[THoey]

Jane,

OS's are Operating Systems's (Windows 98, Windows NT, HP Unix, etc...)

From my experience, companies are going to look for one of three or more things, not necessarily in this order:

1. Degree
2. Certifications
3. Experience

Unless you get really lucky, you are not going to be able to walk in and say I am a chiropractor, but I want to be a computer guru, will you make me one. Check around your local community college and see if they offer a intro to computers class. Check into local companies that offer training/certification.

Besides the knowledge that you gain from these classes, you may find out that you like being a chiropractor better. Being a "geek" (and I use the term endearingly) is not for everyone. It might look fascinating from the outside, but as in all things, it is not as glamourous as it may seem.

I will say that you made a good start by searching the web and finding a place like this. Read the posts, see if they make any sense.

Hope this helps a bit...
[sig]<p>Terry M. Hoey<br><a href=mailto:th3856@txmail.sbc.com>th3856@txmail.sbc.com</a><br><a href= > </a><br>Ever notice that by the time that you realize that you ran a truncate script on the wrong instance, it is too late to stop it?[/sig]

 

[sliptdisk]

You may get something out of reading my post, titled &quot;To degree or not to degree.&quot; One problem that I've had is when people say &quot;It depends on what you want to learn&quot;. There are so many different things you can go into. This forum is a good way to learn about the industry, and decide what you want to DO, first, then find out what languages, technologies, etc., you'll need to be equipped with to do the job.

More than anything, employers seem to want to know what you can do, rather than certification, or whatever. Some I've talked to have an aversion to &quot;paper&quot; network or programming people, simply because all that tells them is that you know how to operate all of the different features, etc., on the particular product. With others, it gets you places. It all depends. But, first, decide what part of the industry you want to get involved in.

Do you want to work for a high tech company, or a company that does something else, but, has an Info Technology department. Do you want to get involved in networking, programming, web development, hardware, or what? Is there a way that you can combine your professional experience in chiropractic WITH some aspect of the industry? My brother, for example, is a cop who got into the I.T. end of the city police department, doing networking, and went to class while he got OJT. So, it's kinda like playing an instrument in an orchestra, I think - you have to decide what part you want to play.

B-)

Dan [sig][/sig]

 

[MasterRacker]

JaneDoe,

If you're so new that the term 'OS' is new I would suggest starting at the very beginning. Check out CompTIA.com for A+ and Network+ certifications. These are aimed at beginning technicians. There's plenty of study material around and the tests are relatively inexpensive. Once you get the basics down to where you can pass these you should have enough knowledge to make a better decision about where in the industry you want to move - i.e. systems admin vs. programming vs. ??? [sig]<p> Jeff<br><a href=mailto: masterracker@hotmail.com> masterracker@hotmail.com</a><br><a href= > </a><br>If everything seems to be going well: you don't have enough information.......[/sig]

 

[JaneDoe]

Hello Sliptdisk & MasterRacker!
Thank you for your input. I'm still running various ideas through the mill......
I spoke to DeVry who has this new BS in Information Technology program (1 yr), but I still don't know enough to know if it would be worthwhile spending a year at.
Yes, that would be ideal if I could combine my healthcare education with some aspect of computer training to be more marketable once I get out there.......I don't know if there is such a thing.......I don't know if hospitals would consider this desirable.
Your thoughts??
Thanks again for reading.

 

[kjonnnnn]

Your question to yourself should be, &quot;What will this degree prepare me to do when I graduate.&quot; You could graduate in computer science, but if start interviewing for positions running NT and Novell, your degree might not weigh has heavy as you think. [sig][/sig]

 

[JaneDoe]

Hi Everyone!

Still soul-searching.....
An advisor/administrator at a local business college
told me this morning that:
&quot;There will be alot of demand in the telecom industry over
the next few years.......you should think about a major in
T-Comm.....&quot;
Is this an area worth studying/Is she correct? Would this apply only to the Silicon Valley, or across the board, i.e. in Southern Calif as well.

All/any opinions greatly appreciated.
Thanks.

 

[sliptdisk]

I would think that that would apply to the industry, at large, but, you have to keep regional labor market variations in mind. My ex-gf, for example, made $80,000 as a contract occupational therapist, a few years ago, in Louisiana, where there's a labor shortage in that field. In Ca., tho', she would have made about half of that, because they didn't have the demand there that they do, here (God, I miss Ca.), owing to the fact that they have lots of places to learn OT there, and, not many here. Plus, most people would rather live in Ca than La. Also, yes, I'm betting that the heathcare industry needs people who understand the industry, plus have computer skills. A good way to gauge the differences in regional employment situations is to get on monster.com, or whatever and check out the various salary differences for So. Ca. vs. San Jose. Generally, the places with the greater need will offer the bigger salaries. Good luck.

Dan [sig][/sig]