I would pontificate on the below. Several vendors have jumped on the 'training gravy train'. Used to be, vendors would train users with the idea that a knowledgeable operator would benefit all. Apparently, the huge training licensing schemes have clouded the original intent of vendor-specific training ---- what makes us look good, makes you look good.
One big difference in IT is the ugly reality of constant change. A company hiring an accountant, for example, would rarely need to re-train that staff in mathematics; 1+1 is generally the same as it was when rocks and sticks were used for counting. Anyone looked at IPV6 lately? How's about 802.3ad? Gigabit Ethernet? VOIP? Fiber Power-loss calculations? ad. nauseum. Wise employers (Enron and A. Andersen excluded, of course, a new 'ethic; of expecting "nothing") need to understand that training is just as important as that 7% advertising budget. This generally means time and money for 'pump priming'. You can figure out the obvious advantages. As for 'dying at some point', long-term readers may have heard my 'whine' about stress strongly contributing to the early demise of more than one close friend who let IT get to them over the years. None of these folks, IMHO, received remotely realistic training budget or time allotments. Those things, you see, 'expected'. While the Enron execs of IT management may be golfing, the good ones understand the value of a good crew. Bottom line, if you cannot negotiate the training opportunities, time, or commitment; leave. And be good enough at what you do so your absence hurts. Badly. Catch 22? Sure. Most folks in IT do enjoy learning and being good at what they do. But to suffer, as some have indicated, two jobs, one for money and one to keep current enough to do the first, is neither wise for the employee nor the employer. And as for the vendors ---- Does training for operators of your equipment/OS fall into advertising budget? Where are the grants? I have *begged*, as a public sector employee, two well-known OS vendors for *some* training directly from their (large) staff. Forget it. So much for 'corporate ethics'. So, go ahead, guys. Ignore your wife, forget your kids, stay up 'til the wee hours. You will find, after many years, that there is a cost incurred --- it will be up to you to decide if you earned enough to pay it off. Best, G. > > > You get out it what you put into it. Its that simple. > > I know far too many people who would do well but refuse to > admit that they > need to spend some time studying. "why wont they pay for it" > is the biggest > whine.. you are entitled to NOTHING in this world except to > die at some > point so it's really up to you where to go and how to get there. Message Posted at: http://www.groupstudy.com/form/read.php?f=7&i=34670&t=34634 -------------------------------------------------- FAQ, list archives, and subscription info: http://www.groupstudy.com/list/cisco.html Report misconduct and Nondisclosure violations to [EMAIL PROTECTED]
