MSCE not where to go today

I agree with the anonymous reader who wrote, "I find the IT industry rife with false promises and outright fraud and abuse." (ComputerUser, September 2000). My experience is similar to hers. I thought that by getting a MCSE I could find another job. I paid more than $8,000 in tuition and passed all six exams on the first try (I was lucky that each exam cost only $100) and now I still don't have any job offers. I sent out many résumés but the best response I've had is a few phone calls from the companies where I applied.

Most if not all network or computer training companies boast that their students get jobs. But what jobs? Driving a cab or flipping hamburgers? I went to New Horizons at Shreveport, La., because it is a Microsoft-approved training partner. The owner of that franchise said all students who trained and obtained MCSEs got jobs in the career seminar.

I didn't find this to be true.

Recently a columnist wrote, "American industry has jobs for about 200,000 more network techies than currently exist (and those jobs pays $100,000 and up)" [Forbes, Aug. 7, 2000]. This is absolutely not true at all. My advice is, if you have a job and if getting a MCSE can help you move up, then go ahead get it. But if you don't have a job, or are thinking about changing careers with the belief that a MCSE will help you find a job, don't do it. Also, don't borrow money for tuition. If you don't have a job after training, you will find you have dug a bigger hole than you would expect. --Name and e-mail withheld upon request

H1-B Visas too little, too late

I read your article "H1-B visa increase a bad idea" [ReleVents, Sept. 6, 2000]. I must tell you how it resonates with me. I have experienced a 40 percent pay cut in the past two years, largely due to the increase in Asian H1-B visas.

Although it would be hypocritical of me to rail against immigrants coming to this country for a better life (as did my grandparents), it should be put in perspective. In the long run, this is a counterproductive policy. Most of the H1-Bs have very poor English skills in a profession that requires thorough understanding of user needs. They are also far too specialized in technology, with little education in business, finance, ethics, etc.--areas that are requisite for effective business systems development.

And the policy is out of proportion to all reality; I am the only American on my project's staff of seven. Consequently, systems are vastly over-engineered, using either cutting-edge or out-of-date technologies (depending on when the engineers went to school), and with little or no understanding of the system mission statement, no documentation or training, and even less maintainability. Also, the British education style from which most were trained engenders either brutes who intimidate, mock, and squelch all questioning and alternatives, or timid followers who blindly do what they're told, even when not given all the specifications they need.

Also, either none of these programmers will return to Asia, or all the cumulative knowledge gained will leave with them. This will make maintenance and updated versions a nightmare. And H1-B visa increases will result in a continued oversupply of tech talent in metropolitan areas for decades after the "immediate, temporary" need that this bill was supposed to address is filled. As usual for government, this bill is five years too late, and addresses a problem that has long since passed. Bad government, bad policy, bad business to be in. Especially for those of us with more than 20 years in the business--a hard time to re-invent oneself. --Name and e-mail withheld upon request.

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