Published at LXer:

You've seen the TV commercials: young white man stuck in a dead-end, low-paying job wakes up one morning, decides to sign up for classes at Foo Tech, and is transformed into a skilled computer technician working in his dream job. Apparently degrees from Foo Tech translate into good salaries and co-workers and customers who are pleasant, and do not drive you insane. Riiight. But stereotypes and hype aside, how does a person become an ace computing deity? Do you need college, certifications, apprenticeships at the feet of wizened gurus? Why would a person even want to consider a tech career? Aren't all the good jobs being outsourced? Isn't the tech industry full of unwashed grumpy guys who hate everything?

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