[KLUG Members] Dropping CIS enrollments

[Joe Budzynski]

Adam Williams wrote:
>>>>IMO "the word" is out, post tech-bust, post-9/11, post-Military-manuevers,
>>>>post-whatever-else-youplease, that CIS/CS "ain't where it's at" anymore.
>>>>The money seekers have gone elsewhere (where?)... 
>>>
>>>People went into CIS for the money?!
>>
>>Once upon a time, indeed! I can't remember who was President when this
>>was understood, but it happoened... honest!
> 
> 
> Wow!  I'll tka eyour word for it.
> 
> 
>>I've heard about that on the radio -
>>The radio?!? What's that? :)
> 
> 
> Just an antique technology I have a fondness for.
> 
> 
>>>but never yet met an IT manager driving a Porsche.
>>
>>Not in this area (for several reasons), but in some places, it's not
>>uncommon. 
>>
>>>Every "next big career" fad I've seen has been total crap.
>>
>>Perhaps so, but we're not dealing with realities here, only perceptions,
>>expectations, and hype. I'm just as happy to see kids outflow from IT
>>(CS or CIS) since it'll mean more demand for MY services in the future. 
> 
> 
> Amen!
>  
> 
>>Hopefully, colleges (CS and CIS degress) are more than glorified trade
>>schools, and we've seen the transitory aspect of mere certs.
> 
> 
> I think we are see-ing a re-orging of the cert word.  With some rising to
> cerdibility while the chaff is swpt away;  I wonder if anyone has counted
> the number of certs available in the market (different certs that is).  I
> supect it has peaked and is now declining.  Maybe we should just move to a
> total-cert word and forget about degrees.  Offer something like a "basic
> literacy" cert, a "corporate ettiquette" cert, or even a "Can follow
> instructions" cert. Then just pick applicants with the right combo.
> 
> In one sense other professions have been doing this for a long time.
> After all, what is a CPA - someone who passed a test.
> 
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> 
> 
> 
As a recent graduate of WMU, I figured I'd chime in on this.  I 
graduated in December of 2003, and had employment lined up before 
graduation.  I understand this is somewhat abnormal for this day and 
age, but it still happens :)  I studied for two degrees;  a CIS 
bachelors (some classes being taught by the esteemed Doc Rea) and an 
Accounting bachelors.

In many ways, I feel that obtaining a degree has prepared me for work 
after graduation more than certifications ever could.  The "softer" 
skills addressed in some of my required courses (and not necessarily CIS 
courses) were essential in creating this feeling.  That said, an 
individual will only recieve the amount of education in a bachelor's 
degree program that he or she wants to recieve.

This is where I believe the difference or dividing line lies between a 
decision to work towards a degree or obtaining certifications.  By 
obtaining a degree, a potential employer can (theoretically) assume that 
you know how to learn and that you have some sort of measurable 
skillset.  Granted, I have seen and been around some of my fellow 
students enough to know this is not always the case, but overall I would 
say this is true.

With certifications, an employer can see that someone is trying to 
better him/herself, with or without a college degree.  This is 
important, and perhaps shows the old American tradition of pulling 
yourself up by your bootstraps and making something of your life.  An 
employer can see that the individual has taken the time and effort to 
work at furthering his/her education outside of a classroom.  But, I 
think it's important to note that some certifications aren't worth much 
without experience behind them.

What it boils down to is the amount of effort and work a person is 
putting into their education.  If the idea is "Get certified and jobs 
will come" or "Get a degree and jobs will come," I think a person with 
that mindset will be severely disappointed.  The individual *must* take 
an interest in furthering him/herself and taking steps to do so through 
work, school, and personal development.

I think that the dropping enrollments are a statement to the 
requirements of industry.  In my first few months, I've  worked with 
several clients, and every single IT department I've seen is running 
full tilt with fewer staff requirements than a couple years ago.  The 
quality of service or amount of work done is not necessarily lower. 
Businesses are simply finding out that it takes fewer people to perform 
the IT function than it used to.

That said, when I was in the CIS program at WMU, I knew several students 
who "didn't belong."  They got in the program looking for a quick buck, 
and then realized the money wasn't there or *GASP* they might actually 
have put some effort into their classes to learn something and get a 
good job after graduation.  If dropping enrollment means students who 
are more energized and excited about IT, I think we can all agree that 
this is a good thing.

That was a long chime, but just my thoughts :)

Joe