Any computer jobs which do not require Bachelor's?

[Imua 0]

A question for the IT folks - is it worthwhile for my husband to continue studying computer skills(repair and networking) since he does not have a college degree, only SLC(HS diploma)? Are there any certificate programs which he could complete here(Diploma or AS level) that would qualify him to work with computers? There are night/evening courses for MCSE and Cisco certification here, but would this be enough? Alternatively are there any other skilled technician positions which he could qualify for without a 4-year degree? I am thinking of those trade school ads I see on TV for ultrasound techs, etc. Would he need his GED for these programs or would his foreign HS diploma suffice?

Edited April 12, 2008 by Pattu Rani

[LaGreenEyes 0]

If he can get some of those I.T. certifications alot of places actually prefer them over a bachelors. My husband has Bachelor of Science in Systems Engineering and when he was looking for jobs many wanted MCSE, CISCO or A+ certificates. Now that he's working he's saving up so he can go back to school and get some of those "tickets". Most programs take about 9 months..and then you are looking at 10-12 dollar an hour helpdesk jobs. I.T doesnt pay what it used to,..and alot of that has to do with the glut of H1B visa holders coming from India and other countries, since the US has done so much out sourcing, they are sponsored by a tech conglomorate or staffing firm from overseas, come and get a tech job and get paid the equivalent of 8 or 9 dollars an hour, and from what I understand are sometimes treated like #######. Its very sad for all parties involved.

[shikarnov 7]

My advice would be to setup a sole proprietorship and seek out some consulting contracts with local businesses. Community shops and stores often have a variety of tech problems, but without any real support services available to them. I used to do basic repairs, spyware cleaning, and MS Office training as my evening/weekend gig and pulled in several hundred dollars a week.

Your SO can probably do a lot better applying a full time effort to it.

Good luck!

Z

Edited April 16, 2008 by shikarnov

[aidan80 9]

I agree with what's being said here... Get him over to CompTIA and have a look at the A+.. if he needs classes then take em if not buy the vouchers ($163? per module 2x modules for the A+) and take the test... some practice exams can be had over here along with plenty of advice. The N+ is a nice compliment to the A+ as is becoming an MCP! Any and all of which with some real world experience can do just as much or more than a college degree in the right setting.

From my experience just outside the Orlando area is that.. most companies want at least a degree and or some certifications, A+, N+, MCSA/MCSE etc and a few years worth of experience. At the minute jobs appear to be getting thin on the ground here unless you want generic help desk position for maybe $10 - $12 an hour.. although if experience is needed.. sitting in one of those jobs for a number of months or a year could do a lot of good. It could also help pay for additional certifications! There is also the geek squads out there but I believe they start at around $8 - $9 per hour.

The only reason I'm not in an IT job right now is there isn't really any in this area at the minute that pay the same as or more than I'm making at the minute.

Good Luck!!

[Imua 0]

Thanks for all of your advice guys!!!

[Niels Bohr 72]

I don't understand, a bachelors in systems engineering didn't land him a job? Did he graduated from an ABET school? I'm not criticizing, I'm curious why noone wanted to hire him. You don't need to give me an answer if you want to. It's just weird for me to understand.

I'm surprised that employers are hiring without regards to educational experience. A+ certification is basics knowledge of repair and computer components which is a low level skill compared to engineering. I'm an electrical and computer engineer, so, to me it sounds not right that they're hiring low level skill workers.

Make sure your husband take the FE, and PE exams if not taken already. It's up to you if you want to hear my comments.

[aidan80 9]

I don't understand, a bachelors in systems engineering didn't land him a job? Did he graduated from an ABET school? I'm not criticizing, I'm curious why noone wanted to hire him. You don't need to give me an answer if you want to. It's just weird for me to understand.

I'm surprised that employers are hiring without regards to educational experience. A+ certification is basics knowledge of repair and computer components which is a low level skill compared to engineering. I'm an electrical and computer engineer, so, to me it sounds not right that they're hiring low level skill workers.

Make sure your husband take the FE, and PE exams if not taken already. It's up to you if you want to hear my comments.

I agree with what your saying.. although I'm hardly an engineer, my stuff from back home didn't appear to mean a thing over here to employers which I why I went down the quick and easy certification path.. Give em what they understand and recognize and use it to shed some light on your stuff from back home.

[Charuhans 0]

I don't understand, a bachelors in systems engineering didn't land him a job? Did he graduated from an ABET school? I'm not criticizing, I'm curious why noone wanted to hire him. You don't need to give me an answer if you want to. It's just weird for me to understand.

I'm surprised that employers are hiring without regards to educational experience. A+ certification is basics knowledge of repair and computer components which is a low level skill compared to engineering. I'm an electrical and computer engineer, so, to me it sounds not right that they're hiring low level skill workers.

Make sure your husband take the FE, and PE exams if not taken already. It's up to you if you want to hear my comments.

I agree with what your saying.. although I'm hardly an engineer, my stuff from back home didn't appear to mean a thing over here to employers which I why I went down the quick and easy certification path.. Give em what they understand and recognize and use it to shed some light on your stuff from back home.

Also with the economy going bad, more people are going to put off buying new advanced systems and rather have their existing ones upgraded. There should be more demand for that type of work. Also, don't lose sight of the fact that polishing his English skills will matter too. And he can do some courses thru' a community college when he gets here, there are some co-op work programs there, where he can get exposure to real life cases and get some references in the process too.

Good Luck!