Network Engineer

[Matt Alexander]

Right now I think there are more tech people than the demand requires.  So if wages do drop considerably because of the current surplus of tech people, then I would assume that many of these people would move into other professions, and therefore balance out the number of workers to the amount of demand.  Once things balance out a bit, I think that the pay will begin to creep back up.
In answer to your question, no, I don't think this is a good time to be considering a career change into the IT profession.  There are thousands of IT people out there already with degrees/experience that can't get a decent tech job.
~M

On Sun, 19 Aug 2001, Eric wrote:

> Ok, so I am getting in on this a little late.  But I have to ask: I have a
> law degree, but I am basically in the middle of doing a career change to
> Linux Sys Admin.  Since I don't have a CS/BSEE/CIS, however, I am thinking
> about taking the Sair or RHCE to give myself some "credibility."  But I
> ain't gonna do a career change where I top out at $40,000 per annum.
>
> From this whole thread, I am gettin' some pretty negative vibes about the
> future of at least some techie jobs, esp. "Network Engineer."  Is the gist
> (sp?) here that it is not a good time to be career changin' into this type
> of field?
>
> PS--Yes, I am very familiar with the opinions of some in re certifications,
> but if you have any better advice for someone with no CS and high student
> loan debt, I am listening.
>
>
> > -----Original Message-----
> > From: plug-discuss-admin@lists.PLUG.phoenix.az.us
> > [mailto:plug-discuss-admin@lists.PLUG.phoenix.az.us]On Behalf Of Linux
> > Sent: Sunday, August 19, 2001 2:56 PM
> > To: plug-discuss@lists.PLUG.phoenix.az.us
> > Subject: Re: Network Engineer
> >
> >
> > > Date: Sun, 19 Aug 2001 11:13:06 -0700 (PDT)
> > > From: Matt Alexander <m@netpro.to>
> > > To: <plug-discuss@lists.PLUG.phoenix.az.us>
> > > Subject: Re: Network Engineer
> > > Reply-To: plug-discuss@lists.PLUG.phoenix.az.us
> > >
> > > I like the part about needing 5 years of experience with
> > > Win2K and other operating systems that haven't been
> > > out that long.  It reminds me of a few years back when
> > >  I was seeing job listings for "Senior Java Developer -
> > > Must have 8-10 years experience with
> > > Java programming in an Enterprise environment."
> > >
> >
> > I find these ads very humorous myself!
> >
> > > But you do make an interesting point.  I think that
> > >  those of us in this industry have been WAY overpaid
> > >  for quite a few years now.
> >
> > I disagree.  One has a reasonable expectation of make a living.  $35,000 a
> > year is a start.  There is a shortage of tech people why?  Long Hours, Low
> > Pay, HIGH level of Responsibility!  I can hang around a car lot 50 hours a
> > week and make $50,000 plus a year with little or no education.  There is a
> > skill however it is a "soft" skill.  I think most people can sell
> > a car with
> > a couple weeks training and a few months coaching.  Should you not make
> > atleast as much as a car salesman?
> >
> > I personally would refuse working for that kind of money unless I am
> > learning a ton.  I hope we all refuse to work for $35,000 a year,
> > post entry
> > level.
> >
> >
> > > As the carnage from the
> > > dot-com bubble settles, I'm guessing that salaries
> > > will shrink back down to a more reasonable level.
> > > ~M
> >
> > Can you support your family in the Phoenix or Tucson area on
> > $35,000 a year?
> >
> > Keith
> >
> > ________________________________________________
> > See http://PLUG.phoenix.az.us/navigator-mail.shtml if your mail
> > doesn't post to the list quickly and you use Netscape to write mail.
> >
> > PLUG-discuss mailing list  -  PLUG-discuss@lists.PLUG.phoenix.az.us
> > http://lists.PLUG.phoenix.az.us/mailman/listinfo/plug-discuss
> >
>
> ________________________________________________
> See http://PLUG.phoenix.az.us/navigator-mail.shtml if your mail doesn't post to the list quickly and you use Netscape to write mail.
>
> PLUG-discuss mailing list  -  PLUG-discuss@lists.PLUG.phoenix.az.us
> http://lists.PLUG.phoenix.az.us/mailman/listinfo/plug-discuss
>