Re: iSeries Nation and this list -- CONSULT400

Peter-

Your thoughts are "Right On"!  You are not the only one out there in
that position. I agree entirely with what you said. I'm tired of not
have video tapes or books returned. And, I don't offer help anymore
either. I have worked for my knowledge and my experience. I'n not giving
it away to "friends".

Bruce


PeterP1024@aol.com wrote:
>
> Ken,
>     Nice thoughts, but not very realistic.  I have been with 4 companies
> (in-house as well as consulting firms) over fifteen years and have yet to see
> any one of them spend any money on education for their personnel.  They all
> promise the would when I first walked in but they would rather spend their
> 'budget' on software, subscriptions, consultants as well as their own
> bonuses.  There have been many times where I have paid money out of my own
> pocket for CD's, subscriptions, courses, etc., and advance my knowledge and
> once completed,  take them into work to share them with anyone that wants to
> learn. You bet these 'CIO's/Directors'  are the first in line to 'view' them
> on company time, while I'm spending twelve hours out of my day to program,
> fix problems, etc. (doing my job).  Guess what, none of them have ever been
> fired.  Thirdly, when are we supposed to 'advance' out careers?  Maybe you
> don't have a family and kids, but I surely do and trying to find extra time
> to learn something knew, that may not pay off in the long run is a tough
> call.  Yes, there are a lot of free or very inexpensive educational avenues
> but you need to have the time to sift thru them to determine if that's what
> you were looking for, as well as spend the time learning these new tools.  I
> have an extensive library that has always been vastly more superior than
> anyplace that I have ever worked or come across, and that is always utilized
> by the many technicians that I am working with.  Have I ever been
> 'reimbursed' for the time gained by the company for using these tools? As an
> independent consultant (only because I cannot find an in-house position), I
> take insult to your reference to working as a security guard.  I do not have
> a measly $6,000 laying around to purchase an education card, or the measly
> $3,000 that I would spend on going to COMMON.  I have to scrounge for my own
> education and make do with what I can find that fits my price range.  As far
> as my 'client' rep is concerned, the only time they need to talk to you (the
> client) is when they have something to sell.  Whether it's IBM, JDE, etc., or
> Rep's, Tech's, Tech Writers, or Higher Ups,  I have never come across any of
> them that had the time to spend discussing educational opportunities or have
> gone out of their way just to assist the client, even when I have pursued
> them.  It sounds like you fall into this category. Thanx for the lecture.
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