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That’s not a threat, just you looking out for yourself.
7. Pass
new CompTIA Network+ cross-platform certification test, use that to get an entry level job, then get your new employer to pay for classes.
This answer is obviously similar to one above. You can use new Network+ certification to get your foot in door.
Almost everything in these cases depends on your relationship with company. If it’s a good one, and they see you as an evolving superstar who’s going to have a lot to offer them down road, that’s obviously to your favor.
If you are seen as someone out just for themselves anyway, they’re not going to risk money on you. If you leave, good riddance anyway.
8. If you are unemployed, government may pay for your training.
Check with your local unemployment office to see what is available in your area. Here in St. Louis, laid off Boeing workers have a complete center paid for with a government grant, and program is sending some to computer training.
9. If you are on Supplemental Security Income (SSI), apply for a Plan for Achieving Self Support (PASS Plan).
The basic idea is, you are capable of working as a networking professional, but you can’t yet because you don’t know how. So you want to learn by buying books etc. Consult with a good career counselor or Vocational Rehabilitation. Come up with a good estimate for cost of certification. (Don’t forget to include cost of examinations too, not just training.) Assume you may have to repeat some of examinations - that’s normal, most everybody does. Whatever that amount of money is, you don’t have it. But if you could only go to work, maybe at McDonald’s or whatever, you could save money up in 6 months or so. But you can’t now, because if you go to work your SSI will be cut so much you still won’t be able to save much. That’s where PASS Plan comes into play.
If you agree to put $X out of your paycheck into a savings account until you have enough saved up to buy books you need etc. (Actually, you could get started right away after it’s approved. . . Social Security will then agree not to count $X you are saving as income that cuts your SSI check. Therefore, you can work but still use your SSI to pay your bills with, while saving $X out of every paycheck toward your eventual financial independence.
Social Security will also ignore usual $2000 resource limit. They will continue to send you SSI while you have over $2000 as long as this money you are saving for your PASS plan is in an account that's separate from your living expenses money.
Go to your local Social Security office with all your estimates and how you plan to proceed and how long it will take - put together all details you can. Someone there will help you fill out their form, and then will submit it to a PASS expert, who is person who decides whether or not you qualify. The more detail you have in your PASS plan and more you make it clear that you are serious and prepared and capable, better your chances.
It also wouldn’t hurt to include standard material in Chapter 3 of book, boom in computer jobs chapter, especially to show them high demand there is for people with certification you are shooting for. Use brochures from your local training company even if you don’t plan to take their $5000 classes. Your goal at this stage is just to have SSA approve your PASS Plan.
You must convince them of three things:
1. You are capable of doing job you are shooting for, you’re just not qualified yet. You need more knowledge, a professional degree or certification etc.
2. You have a feasible plan for getting yourself to point where you qualify for job.
3. When you finish your plan, there is a reasonable chance you can get job and that doing so will reduce or eliminate your dependence on SSI.
The MCSE/CNE certifications certainly meet requirement #3. #2 is not hard if you just look around for price of books and equipment you need. #1 is up to you.
Not all methods will work for everybody.
The point is, if you’re willing to read, study and work hard on your own, you don’t have to spend top dollar. If you can get your employer or government to pay for your classes, go for it. All these methods have been used by somebody and will be used by many more. Now they’re yours.
I wish you all greatest success in your networking careers.
Copyright 2002 by Info Ring Press
I hereby grant permission to all website owners and ezine publishers to reprint above article as long as long as it is reprinted as is in full, including this contact information. Email Richard Stooker: rick@inforingpress.com
Richard Stooker is the author of Secrets of Changing to a Computer Career. http://www.inforingpress.com/
Learn the 5 Simple Steps to Financial Freedom Using IT Skills. Free ebook at: http://www.inforingpress.com/freedom/5simplesteps.htm
