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
> >
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> >
>
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