| Here're my suggestions. None of them apply to | | | | Check with your local unemployment office to |
| everybody. Hopefully one will fit you. | | | | see what is available in your area. Here in St. |
| 1. Buy good certification books. | | | | Louis, laid off Boeing workers have a complete |
| I was told by a training school recruiter that the | | | | center paid for with a government grant, and the |
| recommended MCSE process was to take a class | | | | program is sending some to computer training. |
| for 3 full days, then study for a month, then take | | | | 9. If you are on Supplemental Security Income |
| the certification exam. | | | | (SSI), apply for a Plan for Achieving Self Support |
| So, that's at least ten days of study in front of a | | | | (PASS Plan). |
| thick book for each day of class anyway. | | | | The basic idea is, you are capable of working as a |
| So do you really need to pay for a live teacher | | | | networking professional, but you can't yet |
| too? | | | | because you don't know how. So you want to |
| 2. Buy computer based CD-ROM training. | | | | learn by buying the books etc. |
| This is of course very similar to the above | | | | Consult with a good career counselor or |
| method, except that computer based training is | | | | Vocational Rehabilitation. If your PASS Plan is |
| more interactive, more fun, probably more | | | | approved, the Social Security Administration will let |
| effective for most people. | | | | you pay for your training out of money that |
| 3. Take training classes online through the Internet. | | | | would otherwise reduce your SSI. |
| 4. Put together your own network study | | | | That way, you can live on your SSI and use the |
| laboratory by buying several used PCS and | | | | other income to obtain your MCSE. |
| hooking them up in your home office. | | | | Consult with your local Social Security office or call |
| Look for used computers cheap online, in your | | | | 1-800-772-1213 for additional details. |
| local newspaper For Sale ads or just ask your | | | | 9. If you are a Native American, a special |
| friends. Lots of people have old machines they'll | | | | government program may pay for your training. |
| gladly give you for free just so they'll have more | | | | I have a friend who was recently approved for a |
| closet space. | | | | government grant that would have paid for his |
| 5. If you're currently employed in a networking | | | | tuition to attend a local technical school and get his |
| job, get your current employer to pay for the | | | | MCSE certification. |
| classes. | | | | Not all methods will work for everybody. |
| You may have to sign an agreement to continue | | | | The point is, if you're willing to read, study and |
| working for them for two years or so. | | | | work hard on your own, you don't have to spend |
| 6. Pass the first several required tests, use the | | | | top dollar. If you can get your employer or the |
| Microsoft Certified Analyst (MCSA) credential to | | | | government to pay for your classes, go for it. All |
| get an entry level job and then get your new | | | | these methods have been used by somebody |
| employer to pay for the classes. | | | | and will be used by many more. Now they're |
| 7. If you are unemployed, the government may | | | | yours. |
| pay for your training. | | | | |