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        New Message Board Archives >> 2006 General Board Posts >> ? for those that work in IT
        
(Message started by: tanner on Nov 18^th, 2006, 4:26pm)

Title: ? for those that work in IT
Post by tanner on Nov 18^th, 2006, 4:26pm

The Maryland Workers Comp carrier that is handling my case involving my back injury has come to me and offered to send me to a Microsoft Gold+ school and pay for all courses and materials for me to attain a MCDST certification. They are suggesting I do this in order to find gainful employment. I have up to 1 year to complete the training and can make the classes flexible with something called a "passport" which means I can retake any segments I want to and come and go pretty much as I am able to.

What do you think? Will this make a 53 yr old CHer "marketable"

All input will be greatly appreciated. Tim

edited to add: If I say yes to this my back Docs will sign off on me allowing me to go back to work with some qualifications.

Title: Re: ? for those that work in IT
Post by The mad viking on Nov 18^th, 2006, 4:29pm

i say go for it.Whats there to loose?

Title: Re: ? for those that work in IT
Post by Karla on Nov 18^th, 2006, 4:30pm

I don't think that alone without some sort of degree will help. There are many companies around here that will not hire you unless you have a 4 year degree in computer science. The others a 2 year associate degree in computers. I don't think it will cut it and be enough. Plus if you have no experience to go with it the odds of being hired are real slim. Sorry.

Title: Re: ? for those that work in IT
Post by tanner on Nov 18^th, 2006, 4:32pm

Thats Ok Karla, I want to hear good and bad. I do have several years customer service experience.

..Tim

Title: Re: ? for those that work in IT
Post by Grandma_Sweet_Boy on Nov 18^th, 2006, 4:43pm

What are you doing right now?

If you do nothing for the next year - then you've done nothing - if you take the course, you at least have that to your credit.

Is there any harm to you in taking the course.

53 is still pretty young so

I guess it depends - do you want to be 54 with this course under your belt, or do you just want to be 54?

I say this to you because my daughter is planning to take a 4 year university course to get her Bachelor of Nursing Science. Her first thought was that she would be nearly 37 when she finished. My response - "You'll be 37 anyway - why not be 37 with something positive going for you".

Carol

Title: Re: ? for those that work in IT
Post by BB on Nov 18^th, 2006, 4:52pm

Hi Tim,

If doing the course means that you will lose sickness benefit because your doc will sign you off then be very careful.

IT is an extremely competitive field and employers want experience, experience .... While working as an IT technician you are often on projects with tight deadlines which means the job wont be flexible. A bad bout of CH in the middle of a project can stress you out to the max and if you cant keep doing it then you will lose the job as the employer has to have someone working on it all the time ( this happened to my husband ). This can be bad both to your psych as well as your bank balance.

The best occupation for CHer is something flexible. Of course we cant be choosy sometimes but if you have a choice then make it very cautiously.

Take care and painfree wishes to you.

Big hug

Annette

Title: Re: ? for those that work in IT
Post by vig on Nov 18^th, 2006, 4:54pm

if you have the skills, you can get hired.
certificates can help you get the interview.

go for it.

Title: Re: ? for those that work in IT
Post by tanner on Nov 18^th, 2006, 5:01pm

Carol, That sounds like very sage advice. The only thing I have to lose is the Ins. company will no longer be responsible for trying to find me "gainful employment" which at least comes close to matching my previous wage.

Annette, Yes that is exactly my worry but I don't/can't sit around for the rest of my days collecting a (paltry) compensation check.

Thanks all for your advice and I will be back on to respond to any more responses later tonight.

Hugz and PF wishes to all....Tim

Title: Re: ? for those that work in IT
Post by BB on Nov 18^th, 2006, 5:18pm

In that case Tim, go for it ! Then maybe you can look at being self employed and maybe work in web site designing, graphic designing or something similar that will allow you to work at your own pace?

Can you choose what course to do?

Best of luck.

Annette

Title: Re: ? for those that work in IT
Post by Grandma_Sweet_Boy on Nov 18^th, 2006, 5:59pm

Tim - I don't know anything about Worker's Comp where you live, but in Ontario - once they put you into one of the programmes to provide you with a skill that is useful - they generally also get you a position with an employer.

It's a little different for folks that just take those courses and then have to go looking for employment.

Here, the WSIB puts you into a position. It's then up to you as to whether or not you've got what they want. But they generally make pretty good connections.

My nephew was badly injured at work (several skull fractures - lost of facial nerves, loss of hearing, etc. - pretty nasty stuff). WSIB provided him with upgrading and training skills and he now has a job he loves and makes more $ than he did previously.

I guess I'm trying to say (and not very well :-/) is that it only works for those that really want it to but you must want it - don't let the worker's board force you into something that benefits only them and not you.

I wish you good luck and please do let us know what you decide to do.

Carol

Title: Re: ? for those that work in IT
Post by Jonny on Nov 18^th, 2006, 6:18pm

on 11/18/06 at 17:59:16, Grandma_Sweet_Boy wrote:

don't let the worker's board force you into something that benefits only them and not you

Thats why I love this chick, she always has a good answer!!

And yes, I have bounced things off Grandma....shes very wise. :-*

Title: Re: ? for those that work in IT
Post by Charlie on Nov 18^th, 2006, 7:36pm

Shit. Like Svenn says; what is there to lose? ...so long as it doesn't get in the way of something else you need to deal with.

It might be fun in any case and you can keep us posted along the way. We'll be sure to make things interesting.... 8)

Charlie

Title: Re: ? for those that work in IT
Post by Linda_Howell on Nov 18^th, 2006, 7:57pm

Quote:

I can retake any segments I want to and come and go pretty much as I am able to.

Besides what the others have already said....THIS (above) would be a real selling point for someone with CH

Good luck with what you decide Tim but I hope it doesn't mean you won't be in San Diego hon.

Title: Re: ? for those that work in IT
Post by UN-solved on Nov 18^th, 2006, 8:21pm

Is there a penalty if you couldn't for some reason complete the courses? Would you have to pay? Is this in trade for compensation due to an injury @ work?

If you answered No to the above questions ... I'd say GO FOR IT ! Learn as much as you can ! It's never too late to learn !

UNsolved

Title: Re: ? for those that work in IT
Post by Grandma_Sweet_Boy on Nov 18^th, 2006, 9:12pm

And remember - 53 is actually the new 40! So you're pretty much good to go! ;)

Carol

Title: Re: ? for those that work in IT
Post by Opus on Nov 18^th, 2006, 9:46pm

Tim,

MS certs look great to HR and pointy haired bosses. Most everyone else knows that it's only a piece of paper that lots of clueless people have. Get the cert but make sure if you also need real training you can get that too if the course is just for taking the test.

Of course if you go this way you are locking yourself into a single system unless you already have experience, or are willing to self teach yourself. If you love computers are are a natural you should do well. It also depends on your local job market.

Title: Re: ? for those that work in IT
Post by Fredmyyster on Nov 18^th, 2006, 10:09pm

Dude, your mind and will will always take you as far as you want to go.... im rootin for ya brau.... shaka !

Title: Re: ? for those that work in IT
Post by tanner on Nov 19^th, 2006, 1:14am

Thank you all so much for your input! The way this is going to work is I will be signing off of the portion of Comp that obligates them to find me comparable employment to that where I was injured.
This has been going on since Feb of 05, thus far they have not even come close to meeting the criteria. In the mean time I have been collecting a check which is a fraction of my previous pay. This is the first offer that I have had and I am very inclined to accept. Sitting at home not working when you factor in CH is making me crazy, (and I hate to use this term here) but very close to ......I am not going to voice it, I think you all know what I mean!
When I finish the cert course the comp checks will stop. It will be up to me to make something happen. On a positive note I will be taking the classes at a time when MS is coming out with their newest system and (I am told) can also pick up some Linux classes at Comps expense if I can move quickly through the MS cert classes and pass the exams.
I can turn this down, but I am very much afraid of getting into a long legal battle with a very big Ins. company which continues to put such a burden on Linda and maybe pushes me past the breaking point. I know that sounds weak, but it is the truth.
I am thinking that going back to "entry level" in a new field is much better psyc wise for me and my love then continuing with this "Limbo" stage that we have been stuck in.
I really can't thank you all enough for your help, advice, and support. I can only promise you all that I will be "paying it forward"

.....Simply Love...Tim

Title: Re: ? for those that work in IT
Post by Mattrf on Nov 20^th, 2006, 3:19pm

Hay Tanner.
Well I will tell you back in 1988 I broke my wrist working construction and they put me through a bunch of aptitude testing and I came out really high on computers. They first tried to make me a copier repair man and I said no way to that, then they put me through a computer networking school Novell back then but they are almost non existent now since MS took over the networking world for PC’s. I have no collage but some of them here are right it is more difficult to get a job if you don’t have experience or a degree.
I have been through the MS certification process and I will worn you not to take it lightly, the tests are very hard, you will do a lot of cussing, they tend to be 90 minutes and have about 160 questions a lot are interactive so you will have to actually do the work instead of just a multiple guess. The test also cost money so make sure they will cover it and if you fail you pay for the privilege to take it again. I would not let them lock you into a year to get it done, that might be a tall order since there are seven test last I checked and it can take you a couple months of some serious studding just to get ready for each test.
I don’t want to discourage you but you need to know what you are getting into if you go this wrought. On the bright side I still think braking my wrist was the best thing I ever did and love what I do for a living, your first job may be working for a consulting company, they are a bit easier to get on with and it gets you a lot of experience fast that you can use to get a better job.
PM me if you have any questions I would even be glad to talk to you on the phone since I have been through this, even if it was a long time ago.

Matt