Survival of the fittest? 4

[jtb]

Over a million IT folks have involantarily changed jobs.

Hard-fought gains and honestly acquired certs have lost much of their value.

What are we to do? Join a union? Hang out with others "in the same boat" and hold "pity parties"? Change careers?

Well, in America, you can do any or all of those things; but there's another option.

We can pick ourselves up off the mat, dust ourselves off, and get ready for the next big match.

Right now, ask yourself, "Am I where I want to be? Am I on the road to where I want to be? Am I even going in the right direction?"

If you don't know, it's time to find out. Get the books What Color is Your Prachute by Dick Bolles, and Don't Send a Resume by Jeffrey Fox--and start planning both the direction and the destination.

And quit whining!!! It's time for us to show them who we are!!! We don't need their silly $15-$20 per hour!!! We can show them how to save on their total IT costs if they let us show them how to do it right (look up TCO studies, for example)!!! And "the workman is worthy of his hire"--we can still make BIG $$$ if we build the right business case...

Don't wait for someone to hand you the work they don't want for insulting hourly rates! Go out there and custom-build your career!! Good hunting!!!



JTB
Solutions Architect
MCSE-NT4, MCP+I, MCP-W2K, CCNA, CCDA,
CTE, MCIWD, i-Net+, Network+
(MCSA, MCSE-W2K, MCIWA, SCSA, SCNA in progress)

 

[TheLad]

Where did you copy and paste that from? -----------------------------------------------------
"It's true, its damn true!"
-----------------------------------------------------

 

[jtb]

Dude, I wrote it!! I may sound odd; but I'm tired of the whinging, sniveling, craven attitudes of some of our colleagues.

I'd rather wash dirty diapers than take a handout; but I don't have to because I have the skills corporations need.

You might, too... But don't look around for someone else to lift you up. We all need to get up off our lazy buttocks and prove we're work more than minimum wage.

Or do you accept that all you're worth is what some recruiter posts?

*nudge* *nudge* *wink* *wink*

It's time to get moving! JTB
Solutions Architect
MCSE-NT4, MCP+I, MCP-W2K, CCNA, CCDA,
CTE, MCIWD, i-Net+, Network+
(MCSA, MCSE-W2K, MCIWA, SCSA, SCNA in progress)

 

[CharlieJax]

A

http://www...

but I don't wannaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa...

Heh, couldn't resist.

Good post. CJ
Don't listen to me, I wanted to be a forest ranger.

 

[KimberTech]

Life is what you make it.
Kimber

The more I learn,I realize how much more there is to know!

 

[rocketphoenix]

its not a matter of chance but a matter of choice....

 

[jtb]

Anyone else want to chime in with how to be a success in 250 words or less?



JTB
Senior Infrastructure Specialist
MCSE-NT4, MCP+I, MCP-W2K, CCNA, CCDA,
CTE, MCIWD, i-Net+, Network+
(MCSE-W2K in progress)

 

[mwolf00]

Your title says it all...

Survival of the fittest

Be "the fittest" and make yourself invaluable. Make it so that they can't do without you.

Programming today is a race between software engineers striving to build better and bigger idiot-proof programs, and the Universe trying to produce bigger and better idiots. So far, the Universe is winning. - Rick Cook (No, I'm not Rick)

 

[jtb]

One way to "make sure they can't do without you" is to "Dollarize" your value...

How much do you add to sales and/or reduce waste? Figure it out. Show your calculations. Realize the "bean counters" will expect you to create $5 for every $1 in your paycheck...

Good luck? No, not really. It's "99% sweat and 1% inspiration" according to one American genius...

Good Hunting!!


JTB
Senior Infrastructure Specialist
MCSE-NT4, MCP+I, MCP-W2K, CCNA, CCDA,
CTE, MCIWD, i-Net+, Network+
(MCSE-W2K in progress)

 

[KimberTech]

Do you have the skills needed and don't want to make someone else rich??

What about starting your OWN company??

Now I make the rules, set the schedule, and don't have to complain to anyone about anything....except perhaps the late payments from the odd client...

Kimber
CSS SS A+ MCSE
CEO K&P Enterprises

Members of Tek-Tips provide answers to questions based on the information given. For the best answers, post detailed descriptions of the issue. Use the search features of the site to see if your issue was previously addressed in a thread or FAQ.

 

[jtb]

KimberTech is my hero!!!!

This is exactly what I'm talking about.

We do not need to be tied down to what someone else thinks we are worth if we are willing to shoulder the responsibility ourselves...

Thanks!!!

JTB
Senior Infrastructure Specialist
MCSE-NT4, MCP+I, MCP-W2K, CCNA, CCDA,
CTE, MCIWD, i-Net+, Network+
(MCSE-W2K in progress)

 

[jtb]

December 8th Computerworld (shows how far behind I am in my reading) has articles and editorials about the coming hiring rush and mad dash out the door of employers who don't take care of their employees... now is the time to build your portfolio, to dollarize your value, to build yourself up in your management's eye as dependable, valuable, and underpaid (relative to your coworkers).

If done with subtlety, you may be positioned for a pre-emptive raise and/or promotion when the economy starts running faster...

JTB
Senior Infrastructure Specialist
MCSE-NT4, MCP+I, MCP-W2K, CCNA, CCDA,
CTE, MCIWD, i-Net+, Network+
(MCSE-W2K in progress)

 

[jtb]

If you just want to spend money, let me give you my paypal address...

Look, wake up and build a business plan for your career. Make your certifications come up with an ROI. Don't just rely on what the folks who offer the cert say. Don't just rely on what those who offer the training say.

Tests are a minimum of $125. Books, test PC, and training can be hundreds--or more likely thousands--more. Make that an investment in your future. Don't just do it because it's cool.

Bill Gates and Michael Dell are billionaires. Between them they haven't got one technical cert or one earned university or college degree. But they pay the salaries of thousands who do...

Become who you want to be. The journey of a thousand miles starts with a single step--but draw a map first or you may find you've walked two thousand miles...


JTB
Senior Infrastructure Specialist
MCSE-NT4, MCP+I, MCP-W2K, CCNA, CCDA,
CTE, MCIWD, i-Net+, Network+
(MCSE-W2K in progress)