""Howard C. Berkowitz"" wrote in message [EMAIL PROTECTED]">news:[EMAIL PROTECTED]... > > > I think an agenda is emerging here, nrf. This thread seemed, at least > >> to me, to deal with the merits of academia, certification, or > >> combinations to move into technical jobs. > > > >I completely disagree with the insinuation that I have solely been moving > >the discussion in any direction. If anything, I am only moving where others > >are taking me. People want to invoke things like ethics and happiness > >(which as far as I can tell had nothing to do with the initial argument) > >into the argument, and I am only too happy to oblige. But I don't see you > >jumping all over them - why not? I too thought we were just talking > >about degrees vs. certs, but other people want to go to other places. > > Because, offhand, I have only seen you bringing up the issue of > people bringing up general management and tying it to power and > money. Tradeoffs in the technical area of the value of certifications > vs. academic training, especially early in one's career, seemed to be > the scope of the original discussion. To the best of my knowledge, > this list has never emphasized how to use technical skills to > springboard into general management.
Ah, but I think that my point is best made by emphasizing one of the more important virtues of the degree - that it can serve as a springboard into general management and/or into other aspects of business besides technology. I believe you cannot fairly assess the value of the degree without bringing in this specific point. It's like asking somebody what the value of a diamond ring is - without the diamond. And why do I harp on power and money? Simple. Let's be brutally honest here. Why are most people even interested in the CCIE at all? Although nobody wants to say it, we all know the truth. Most people are interested in the CCIE because it might increase their power and/or earning potential. We all know that's the truth. Now - don't get me wrong - I didn't say all people. And I also didn't say that those were the only reasons people do it. But we would be most naive to believe that money and power didn't have a lot to do with it. To my detractors who probably want to jump down my throat for saying so - I would just say that you know in your heart that it's true - that money and power have a lot to do with the interest in the CCIE program. So if that's the real and honest battlefield that I'm fighting on, I don't think it at all inappropriate to apply the same criteria to the degree as well. You're looking at the CCIE because of (to be honest) money and power? Well, the degree can also bring you money and power, just in a different way. For example the degree can help you get into high management, which brings with it, money and power. Message Posted at: http://www.groupstudy.com/form/read.php?f=7&i=60324&t=60324 -------------------------------------------------- FAQ, list archives, and subscription info: http://www.groupstudy.com/list/cisco.html Report misconduct and Nondisclosure violations to [EMAIL PROTECTED]