how come i pay for school to get my A+ certification only to get a job that pays $15 per hour?

Question

how come i pay to go to school to get my A+ certification only to make 15$ per hour? while some people i know never even graduated high school is making almost as much as me. is A+ certification really worth it ? making only 15 per hour? shouldn't A+ technician jobs be paying around $17 per hour instead..it seems that getting an A+certification is a waste of time...all that studying just to get $15 per hour..any people with A+ certifications have any comments?

Answer 1

This is the dark secret of those schools that offer those type computer certifications. The grads are a dime a dozen.

But, on the upside you have a skill that you can now build on. Treat this first job as an extension of your schooling. Take on as many challenges as they offer, expand your knowledge base.

In a few years, your pay will begin to surpass your friends, and in a downturn, your certification plus your job experience, will continue to get you jobs. And then your friends without skills will be making less.

You have started on the right path, don't let your first job discourage you from future growth, it will happen if you work at it.

Answer 2

Because the schools are not being realistic on what the graduates REALLY will be making.

A few years ago when the supply of A+ certification programmers were minimal, the companies would pay more. Now that they have more people to choose from, and the other costs continue to increase for a business, the companies can pay lower.

Also, remember this factor. People outside of the US are getting trained on this certification, including people who work for $1-$3 per hour in other countries. With the internet, the sad fact is that those people are more hungry for the work and that money goes a lot farther in that country, and if their quality of work is better (SOME people speak excellent English in those countries), they will get the jobs.

FInally, remember that the company also is having to compete for the business. With the rising costs of benefits coupled with increased competition, the companies often have to charge lower costs for their product or service, and they will then cut back in other areas - such as labor costs.

Dont' feel bad about $15 per hour. I'm 43 and have worked professionallly for many years and I'm hoping to get into a $15-17 per hour job after graduation. With my work experience, I should be making more - but I have to deal with the fact that in the current economy, there are also a lot of good people out there looking for work as well.

Answer 3

Hi, not a teacher, but spent a year in an ed program in TX. My conclusion was that teaching was great -- interacting with the kids (6-8 y o are the BEST!), making up lesson plans, trying to present info in ways that were engaging and creative... all heady stuff. :) The schools themselves stunk. NCLB is an absolute monster. Teaching today is much more about filling out forms and making "numbers", not about the children or the subject. Here's what I think you need to be able to do to be a good (and happy) teacher. 1) Crowd control. Including gangs, cussing, sexuality, violence etc -- and, yep, I'm talking little kids. I'm betting the Koreans have a whole lot more innate respect for you and what you are doing than kids in the US. 2) Multitasking and NOISE -- are you able to do a dozen things at a time, keep track of them all, and do them well, in a chaotic and loud environment -- not a library!? (I looove libraries.) 3) Confrontation. How are you with other people -- can you deal with irate, demaning, unreasonable parents who curse at you or insult you or, worst of all, are utterly unreachable and couldn't care less that you are trying to help their child? 4) How well do you deal with bureaucracy and innane meetings? So... if what you like is the kids -- and it's laid back, no, teaching in the US would drive you batty. If you like the more administrative stuff, the multitasking, huge daily challenges, the social service end, etc etc then, yeah, good idea. :) As for me, still haven't decided. I value the time I spent at school and in classrooms. Moved for husband's job, don't know if I'll return to an education curriculum. Right now I enjoy volunteering in my kid's classroom but I am very aware that what I enjoy (helping the kids with work) is only a very small part of a teacher's responsibilities. My dream is actually library science. :) Good luck.

Answer 4

You got an education so you won't be paid minimum wage.

And think about this: there are many many people who work for much less than minimum wage, because the minimum wage law does not protect whole categories of workers. A member of my extended family is paid $2.85 per hour for washing dishes in a busy truck stop restaurant. The waitresses are paid $2.35 plus their tips. Even the cook, at $5.00 per hour, is not making minimum wage.

And look on the bright side. If you take a job at fifteen dollars an hour, it won't be long until you have experience. After your probationary period, if your status changes to permanent employee, you will get a raise. If you are not offered the seventeen dollars you want, work as a permanent employee a week, find a new job and give your two weeks notice. I always found it easier to start in a new job at a higher rate than to get raises in a present job.

Answer 5

Certifications, while important, aren't everything. One's pay is determined by many factors. Some markets are more competitive than others. Some companies have firm policies about hiring and pay for certain jobs, others do not. Its a fact that taller, better looking people make more money than their peers, on average. Believe it or not, your appearence, confidence level, and interview skills may influence the outcome. If you want more pay; then know a figure and ask for it up front. Be prepared to explain why you deserve more than the next guy and be firm. Be sure to apply for more than one place. Do not be afraid to walk away.

Answer 6

To get a good job you have to go out and find them. I am making more money than many people I know who have a college degree simply because I went out and found a good job and continued to look for something better until I was happy with a job. Just because you have an education doesen't mean someone is going to throw a good job at you. If you look around you will likely find someone who will pay you what you feel you are worth. If an employer can find people to work for a set pay, he has no incentive to pay more.

Answer 7

Because anyone can go to school and get A+ certification. I could go to school and come out with one. Its called the laws of supply and demand...the harder it is to get skilled labor, the more you are going to get paid. If you really want to get paid well, take more college, or better yet learn a skill no one else knows, but is in demand. Get online and find the jobs that really pay, find out what skills these people have.

BTW, I have a drafting degree, and a computer science degree. I make a little more than you, I am still trying to find my niche. It takes time!

Answer 8

Thats a good question. I would also like to know the answer to this one.