Training in a Foreign Technology Boot Camp? 40
Posted
by
Cliff
from the intensive-learning dept.
from the intensive-learning dept.
Martin Clarke asks: "I've recently been considering undertaking a technology boot camp to get some more certs under my belt to help with my employability. I've always taught myself, but I feel like I need to get it done. I've came across an interesting option, a very well priced tech boot camp in Dehli from Koenig. Has anyone ever considered something like this? What other unorthodox training options have Slashdot readers tried?"
Re:Dehli? (Score:3, Interesting)
Most people forget that shorcuts are short-term positives and long term negatives.
While a PhD may take time, it's worth its weight in gold. However, then again getting into something like a PhD is quite pointless if you are not interested in the subject to begin with.
I know one person who does this (Score:5, Interesting)
He loves to travel, earns enough from each SAP contract to take a few months off, and spends part of his travel learning "The Next Great Thing". I think he started as a DB2 expert, then went through the whole Oracle training series in places like Bangkok and Kuala Lumpur. He calculates the cost against things like local cost of living, exchange rates, and vacation possibilities. He double checks the course is offered in English, rather than the local language, often the courses have American or Kiwi instructors. He also talks to useless lumps of s^W^W^W^Wrecruiters about where the market is going and which skillset pays the best to decide what courses to take.
He had one example from when he was working in Colorado. To take the two or three necessary Oracle training courses local to Colorado, at US$3000-US$5000 per course, he could buy a ticket to Kuala Lumpur and take the courses at the equivalent of US$400, and still come out ahead. He spent a week in some tropical beach hut in the region to get over his jetlag, then 3 or 4 hectic weeks at the Oracle HQ in KL using the exact same materials and computers. Afterwards he had all the training on a specific product for his next contract, and a great tan.
If you do this, you don't have to mention where you got your certificate, but if it comes out, then put a positive spin on it. "Yes, I picked up that certificate on my most recent around the world trip, while scouting possible lucrative contracts downunda. But your company's project really caught my attention bla bla bullshit bla..." At the very least, some time spent in a foreign country learning new job skills will also open your mind quite a bit more than most 'merkins. Yeah, that's it, its a learning experience.
the AC
Re:I know one person who does this (Score:3, Interesting)
the AC
Putting spin on bad news for over 20 years
Not new... (Score:3, Interesting)
Pensioner eyes up India treatment [bbc.co.uk]
A British pensioner frustrated by the long waiting list for a cataract operation on the National Health Service flew to India for 20 minutes of eye surgery.
The pensioner did run the risk of post-operative complications in a backward (compared to his country) foreign country. However, he probably got very good care -- several Indian private medical facilities are absolutely top-notch. (Sadly, public medical facilities are pathetic -- the majority of Indians would be truly blessed to have the NHS or medicare equivalent in India.) While you don't run the same degree of risk he did, if you go, be careful about food and drink... a 3-star hotel is pretty basic there. Also, Indian accents _may_ be a bit difficult for you to understand and the degree of skill in conversational English varies widely. (Perhaps talk to the instructor on the phone before signing up?) Also the price is a bit expensive for India. A google search shows other cheaper options: http://www.mcsecamp.com/. There's no question about bang for the buck in India though -- you may well find a very skilled instructor and excellent lab facilities. Or you may not. That's the risk - there can be more unknowns than where you come from.
I don't have an MCSE, but wouldn't most employers show interest in the certificate, rather than where you gave the exam or which organization helped prepared you for it? Like the pensioner with cleared-up vison, it's the end-result that's important.
Also, Delhi is a bit of a boorish city. For example, unescorted foreign females in Delhi can get lots of unwelcome male attention. Shimla is much better.