Estoy en medio de una etapa de "dudas existenciales" y pensando en mis siguientes pasos para el crecimiento profesional. Desde hace 3 anios estoy trabajando, pero en estos tres anios no me he dedicado a los estudios. Pues los primeros 2 anios que estuve trabajando me dedique a "descansar" despues de la carrera universitaria, y juntar experiencia laboral- ademas de estar en un "start-up" que me consumia dia y noche (y a veces me sigue consumiendo- porque mas bien estamos menos empleados que hace un anio atras), realmente no tenia el aliento para hacerlo. El tercer anio fue puro "ocio" (cuando en realidad fue mas bien aprietos financieros, boda, y casa nueva- los cuales pienso que talvez "ocio" no es la palabra indicada).
Yo me gradue de la universidad con una licenciatura en mercadotecnia y negocios internacionales. Y claro, para la mayoria de los que se graduan en estas carreras (y similares), el paso logico por seguir, es sacar una maestria en administracion de empresas (el "end all, be all" MBA), y especializarse en mercadotecnia, finanzas, o algo similar. Parte de mi razon de espera-- sencillamente no me interesa.
Mi razon porque estudiar lo que estudie en la universidad no fue porque me moria de ganas de ser una profesional de traje todos los dias, con el celular pegado a la mi cabeza, el maletincito, y con una portafolio de clientes, y millonadas en transacciones y negociaciones... La verdad, es que no. Yo tuve tres opciones que me llamaban la atencion para mi carrera.
1. Licenciatura en Sistemas Computacionales (Siiiiiiii, yo queria ser IT Pro desde un inicio!!!!, porque no me llamaba la atencion la Ingenieria. Mi padre siempre fue programador, y hay fotos mias con un pepe en la boca, sentada en las piernas de mi papa frente una PC)
2. Derecho (porque desde que tenia 11 anios siempre dije que quise ser una "international attourney" porque no se quienes me metieron la idea de querer trabajar en resolver temas de disputas internacionales entre empresas- porque a la srta. no le gustaba hablar en publico para decir que queria ir a la corte)-- y el "hablar en publico" es un tema valioso de hablar en otro post en el futuro--
3. Arquitectura (porque a la ninia le gusta dibujar, jejeje)
Y... termine en mercadotecnia por estar con mis amigos (que solidaria, no??). En realidad eran mas de una razon, porque derecho no se ofrecia en mi Universidad, porque para estudiar sistemas, pense que no estaba en el pais adecuado para hacerlo (no estaba en USA), y mis padres no querian pagar los "costos adicionales" que implicaba la carrera de arquitectura- y yo no quise ir a la universidad publica (por todas las huelgas que pasaban que a veces estaban meses sin clases)..
Pero HOY estamos anios despues de eso, gracias a Dios tengo un titulo, y ahora.... ahora viene lo bonito y lo dificil.
AHORA QUE???
Estoy llegando a aceptar que la verdad sere de las pocas personas que conozco que NO estan siguiendo una maestria en administracion de empresas (varios de mis companieros y amigos ya sacaron su maestria o estan por terminarla), por lo menso AHORA no tengo aliento para sacarlo, porque cuando pienso en esa carrera, me da un poquitito de nauseas, jeje, pienso que es hora de poder buscar algo que REALMENTE me gusta. (Sin dejar de trabajar con las comunidades).
Como he estado analizando mis opciones, desperte un dia pensando- porque no me certifico? Creo que no lo habia considerado mucho antes porque paso bastante rodeada por personas altamente calificadas tecnologicamente, con harta experiencia en el campo.. mucho de lo que leo, veo, escucho- muchas veces es de un nivel que... no entiendo :*( Y en el proceso, creo que me habia desanimado en hacerlo basicamente por puro miedo..
PERO, todos tuvieron que empezar por algun lado, no? No nacieron siendo expertos en la tecnologia. Ademas de que siempre me ha gustado, siento que seria un buen paso a tomar en buena fe- quizas me ayudaria mucho en mi interaccion con las comunidades, por fin, ser parte del club, ademas de promotora y asistente..
Lo cual me llevo hoy a hacer busquedas para ver "donde diablos empiezo???"....
Y mis resultados? No tengo la menor idea!!!!
Todo me intimida un poco, y cuando leo las descripciones "exigen" experiencia en los temas--- y no tengo esa experiencia.. Soy una "blank slate".. totalmente nueva, por decirlo asi.
Tengo experiencia basica, no soy la total ignorante en el uso de productos, he hecho configuraciones en SharePoint, se administrarlo, modificar web parts, etc.... se usar office (bastante bien creo yo, sin saber los trucos MUY especiales).. se un poco de html... he jugado un poco con disenio web (dreamweaver, fireworks, hasta netscape composer en el pasado, y miiiinimo uso de flash).. conozco terminos generales, no me pierdo del todo en los ambientes.. pero no se por donde empezar. Por ahora creo que la certificacion MCP esta alcanzable, en realidad la que me llama la atencion es Exam 70-630 TS: Microsoft Office SharePoint Server 2007, Configuring.. y lo que REALMENTE vi MUUUY factible para mi es uno nuevo que estan lanzando este anio: Microsoft Certified Application Professional (MCAP).. Pero igual- cuando vi (dentro de lo poquisimo que logre encontrar!!!) algunas preguntas del 70-630, a pesar de poder responder a 2 de las 5 preguntas, usan terminos que no entendi del todo..
...so mi pregunta es- como empieza la gente a certificarse y aprender?
Yo estoy considerando especializarme en sharepoint por que es lo que MAS me llama la atencion de todo.. pero cuando pregunte a un companiero de trabajo, me dijo que uno tenia que saber .Net, C#, y CSS en particular, y que un MCSE no doleria.... lo cual, esta todo bien en teoria, pero cuando no trabajas con las tecnologias, como haces?
Quede con la incognita.. como hace la gente para empezar a saber de todo esto?
Showing posts with label certification. Show all posts
Showing posts with label certification. Show all posts
Tuesday, March 11, 2008
Monday, March 10, 2008
Time for More School?
Synch education plans and professional goals for maximum time and tuition value.
By Kara Wahlgren
You’ve completed your college education and landed a lucrative job in your field. Mission accomplished, right? Not necessarily. Now it’s time to consider whether pursuing further schooling will help you climb the career ladder. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, employees with an associate degree earned a median annual income of $31,936, compared to $45,221 for employees with a bachelor’s degree. That number jumps to $59,804 for those who hold a professional degree, such as a doctorate or an M.B.A. So if school is the only thing standing between you and a more powerful position and greater sense of accomplishment, what's the problem? In a study conducted by Capella University [an MSN Encarta advertiser], prospective students cited time and money as their biggest obstacles to securing an advanced degree. How can you decide if the extra effort is worthwhile? “In general, it’s advantageous to have an advanced degree, but it’s not one-size-fits-all,” says Dale Kurow, an executive coach in New York City. Rather, the value of an advanced degree varies according to your career objectives. Here’s how to determine whether it will help you reach your career goals.
Your goal: A bigger paycheck
An advanced degree has potential to boost your income in two ways -- by increasing your value within a company or opening the door to a more profitable job title. In the fast-growing field of technology, for example, a certificate program is usually sufficient to land a job as a computer support specialist with a median income of $41,470, as reported by the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Computer software engineers are expected to hold a bachelor’s degree or greater but, in return, they can expect to rake in almost double that figure. Over the course of a 30-year career, that’s a one-million-dollar difference. However, the income gap can vary widely between career fields. For example, a human-service assistant might only see a $10,000 annual increase after pursuing the advanced degree that’s preferred for a career as a social worker. Because of this disparity, financial gain shouldn’t be your sole motivation. “Typically, when you have an advanced degree, the salary is higher,” Kurow says. “But if you’re about to take on a huge amount of debt, and you’re not quite sure about the field, you might want to work for a while. Some kids get out of law school with $80,000-100,000 worth of debt, and then discover they hate being a lawyer.” Bottom line: Earning potential is an important benefit, but make sure you listen to your heart as well as your wallet.
Your goal: more muscle
Your current degree may have earned you a reprieve from fetching coffee, but an advanced degree may help you move up in the ranks and land a corner office -- or at least a more spacious cubicle. In fact, some promotions simply can’t be earned without an advanced degree, regardless of an employee’s skill level or experience. If a paralegal is looking to represent clients or dispense legal advice, they’ll have to earn a Juris Doctor -- no exceptions. And while a physician’s assistant can diagnose and treat illnesses, they can’t drop the “assistant” from their title without an M.D. Of course, high-status positions may require a heavier workload and greater accountability. Physicians and lawyers tend to work longer hours than their assistants, and they face weighty repercussions for mistakes.
Likewise, engineers typically see a pay increase after earning their professional engineer’s license but, in return, they may be expected to assume legal responsibility for their designs. Still, many employees feel that a higher rank is worth the added responsibility. “You’re responsible for the decisions you make and the work you do,” says Swati Kabaria, a lawyer in Washington, D.C. “If a client is unhappy, it comes back to you. But it’s absolutely worth it because you have more autonomy and the opportunity to do more interesting and complex work.” If you can thrive under high-stress conditions, an advanced degree might help you nab a high-profile position and the clout that comes with it.
Your goal: personal satisfaction
While you can predict salary differences and growth potential, job satisfaction can be a bit harder to define. Nonetheless, when you’re deciding whether or not to invest in an advanced degree, contentment may be the most important issue to consider. What factors comprise a fulfilling career? According to a study conducted by the Graduate Management Admission Council, important criteria for job satisfaction included overall appeal, pride in the company, and long-term growth potential. Salary squeaked in at a surprising sixth place. And, in the Capella University study, 81 percent of respondents said that a sense of accomplishment was a major factor in their decision to continue their education, while just 71 percent were motivated by money. And by making job satisfaction a top priority, you’ll be more likely to feel fulfilled in your career. “In order to decide whether an advanced degree will bring fulfillment, you need to have done your homework,” Kurow says. She recommends talking to others in your field that have pursued advanced degrees, and making a list of pros and cons to evaluate what you’ll gain. After all, not every advanced degree will offer a six-figure salary bump, but other factors can add to its value.
Earning an M.B.A. might allow you to move from a commission-based sales job to a salaried management position; finishing your Master’s in education might help you get tenured in your top-choice school district. Be honest with yourself about what you hope to achieve with your advanced degree, and it will be easier to make an informed decision. Whether you’re moving from a certificate program to an associate degree, or from a bachelor’s to a doctorate, there’s no getting around it: Advancing your education will require hard work, a hefty commitment, and a decent amount of capital. But if you take an honest look at your goals before making the education leap, you’ll know if what you’re gaining from your investment will be worth it. “Ask yourself, why do you want to advance your degree? What part of your life will it enhance? Will it change how you view yourself, or provide an opportunity for you to advance within your company?” Young says. “Think about the end result.”
Source: http://encarta.msn.com/encnet/Departments/AdultLearning/?article=TimeforSchool>1=27001
MSN Encarta
By Kara Wahlgren
You’ve completed your college education and landed a lucrative job in your field. Mission accomplished, right? Not necessarily. Now it’s time to consider whether pursuing further schooling will help you climb the career ladder. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, employees with an associate degree earned a median annual income of $31,936, compared to $45,221 for employees with a bachelor’s degree. That number jumps to $59,804 for those who hold a professional degree, such as a doctorate or an M.B.A. So if school is the only thing standing between you and a more powerful position and greater sense of accomplishment, what's the problem? In a study conducted by Capella University [an MSN Encarta advertiser], prospective students cited time and money as their biggest obstacles to securing an advanced degree. How can you decide if the extra effort is worthwhile? “In general, it’s advantageous to have an advanced degree, but it’s not one-size-fits-all,” says Dale Kurow, an executive coach in New York City. Rather, the value of an advanced degree varies according to your career objectives. Here’s how to determine whether it will help you reach your career goals.
Your goal: A bigger paycheck
An advanced degree has potential to boost your income in two ways -- by increasing your value within a company or opening the door to a more profitable job title. In the fast-growing field of technology, for example, a certificate program is usually sufficient to land a job as a computer support specialist with a median income of $41,470, as reported by the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Computer software engineers are expected to hold a bachelor’s degree or greater but, in return, they can expect to rake in almost double that figure. Over the course of a 30-year career, that’s a one-million-dollar difference. However, the income gap can vary widely between career fields. For example, a human-service assistant might only see a $10,000 annual increase after pursuing the advanced degree that’s preferred for a career as a social worker. Because of this disparity, financial gain shouldn’t be your sole motivation. “Typically, when you have an advanced degree, the salary is higher,” Kurow says. “But if you’re about to take on a huge amount of debt, and you’re not quite sure about the field, you might want to work for a while. Some kids get out of law school with $80,000-100,000 worth of debt, and then discover they hate being a lawyer.” Bottom line: Earning potential is an important benefit, but make sure you listen to your heart as well as your wallet.
Your goal: more muscle
Your current degree may have earned you a reprieve from fetching coffee, but an advanced degree may help you move up in the ranks and land a corner office -- or at least a more spacious cubicle. In fact, some promotions simply can’t be earned without an advanced degree, regardless of an employee’s skill level or experience. If a paralegal is looking to represent clients or dispense legal advice, they’ll have to earn a Juris Doctor -- no exceptions. And while a physician’s assistant can diagnose and treat illnesses, they can’t drop the “assistant” from their title without an M.D. Of course, high-status positions may require a heavier workload and greater accountability. Physicians and lawyers tend to work longer hours than their assistants, and they face weighty repercussions for mistakes.
Likewise, engineers typically see a pay increase after earning their professional engineer’s license but, in return, they may be expected to assume legal responsibility for their designs. Still, many employees feel that a higher rank is worth the added responsibility. “You’re responsible for the decisions you make and the work you do,” says Swati Kabaria, a lawyer in Washington, D.C. “If a client is unhappy, it comes back to you. But it’s absolutely worth it because you have more autonomy and the opportunity to do more interesting and complex work.” If you can thrive under high-stress conditions, an advanced degree might help you nab a high-profile position and the clout that comes with it.
Your goal: personal satisfaction
While you can predict salary differences and growth potential, job satisfaction can be a bit harder to define. Nonetheless, when you’re deciding whether or not to invest in an advanced degree, contentment may be the most important issue to consider. What factors comprise a fulfilling career? According to a study conducted by the Graduate Management Admission Council, important criteria for job satisfaction included overall appeal, pride in the company, and long-term growth potential. Salary squeaked in at a surprising sixth place. And, in the Capella University study, 81 percent of respondents said that a sense of accomplishment was a major factor in their decision to continue their education, while just 71 percent were motivated by money. And by making job satisfaction a top priority, you’ll be more likely to feel fulfilled in your career. “In order to decide whether an advanced degree will bring fulfillment, you need to have done your homework,” Kurow says. She recommends talking to others in your field that have pursued advanced degrees, and making a list of pros and cons to evaluate what you’ll gain. After all, not every advanced degree will offer a six-figure salary bump, but other factors can add to its value.
Earning an M.B.A. might allow you to move from a commission-based sales job to a salaried management position; finishing your Master’s in education might help you get tenured in your top-choice school district. Be honest with yourself about what you hope to achieve with your advanced degree, and it will be easier to make an informed decision. Whether you’re moving from a certificate program to an associate degree, or from a bachelor’s to a doctorate, there’s no getting around it: Advancing your education will require hard work, a hefty commitment, and a decent amount of capital. But if you take an honest look at your goals before making the education leap, you’ll know if what you’re gaining from your investment will be worth it. “Ask yourself, why do you want to advance your degree? What part of your life will it enhance? Will it change how you view yourself, or provide an opportunity for you to advance within your company?” Young says. “Think about the end result.”
Source: http://encarta.msn.com/encnet/Departments/AdultLearning/?article=TimeforSchool>1=27001
MSN Encarta
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