Quote:
Originally Posted by Spartacus2112
I work with cameras that take pictures of places you really don't want to see.
|
Proctology camera work?
You just made me feel a hell of a lot better.
Probably saved my life.
At it's simplest level they say that you're a "professional" when you get paid for doing the work.
I have therefore been a professional (lowercase p) maintaining networks, writing software, and creating user manuals. Unfortunately the pay has always started with a lowercase p.
I've worked in the medical field and as an EMT. I've even developed safety seminars for industrial environments. It sounds good, but there has always been that lowercase p.
Working for a defense contractor I computerized their secure asset management records using dBase III+. My supervisor, with a post WW2 degree in botany, had everything on 3x5 cards. As I had no degree, I had no chance of getting his position when he retired. Again, pay with a lowercase p. Funny thing was, after I left my job it was split among 3 people and a part time data entry person.
Where ever I go I provide more than they were asking for and have been given greater responsibility. But always there has been the lowercase p.
Now I install security access systems. Mostly for collages, companies doing sensitive research, and the military. A better way to describe it is that as the hardware is installed, I setup the computer software and integrate the personnel data, followed by software training. A software switch to SQL is driving me nuts. Five years to retirement and I have to learn SQL. On my own, of course.
My advise to any who are still in school is to get a degree. Think about it this way - the HR department is staffed by people with degrees. So to them it's more important that the person they recommend has a degree than some one with no degree but a proven track record.