Re: AS/400 RPG Certification Test

[DAsmussen@xxxxxxx]

Eric,

In a message dated 98-09-07 09:39:42 EDT, you write:

> This thread has been very interesting.  I will be completing my BS degree in
>  January.  I have been in the AS/400 industry for 20 years.  I have been
>  trying to decide what my next "educational" step will be.  I am having a
>  difficult time make the decision.  I have four alternatives.  1.  Learn RPG
>  IV and get my IBM certification;

The certification might help, but the RPG IV is probably the least attractive
of your four options (IMHO) for the following reasons:  1)  Few, if any, major
packages have a substantial portion of their code written in it.  2) Most
"home grown" solutions aren't written in it.  3) IBM's pushing JAVA for the
AS/400.

> 2.  Learn JAVA which would give me an inroad to Lotus Notes programming and 
> thereby make me more marketable; 

Well, it's "the future according to IBM" -- for now.  Then again, IBM was
pushing "C" a few years back.  The cross-platform benefits are undeniable,
unless there are more vendor defections a la Micro$oft.  I'm trying to focus
here myself, but the demand on my time is still for RPGIII.

> 3.  Learn more about JD Edwards and get a JDE technical certificate;

Specialization in a package can be both a boon and a curse.  In my own case, I
get fantastic rates for my BPCS experience -- far greater than I would as a
"generalist".  On the other hand, SSA's current financial difficulties (and
all application-only developers have them from time to time) threaten _MY_
well-being.  A better plan here might be to become APICS certified.  Then
_ALL_ ERP packages would be open to you.

> 4.  Get a Masters degree.

Good if you want to move out of development into management or a more "idea
person" type of position.  With the recent "cheapening" of the bachelor's
degree here in the US, the master's degree is quickly becoming the minimum
standard for some positions.  Overkill if you want to remain a developer,
though.

>       Decision, decisions.  Does anyone have any thoughts?  Thanks in advance.

There are mine.  Remember that you get what you pay for ;-)!

JMNSHO,

Dean Asmussen
Enterprise Systems Consulting, Inc.
Fuquay-Varina, NC  USA
E-Mail:  DAsmussen@aol.com

"What you will do matters.  All you need is to do it." -- Judy Grahn
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