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Hello all,

I’ve been in IT for 3 years ranging from helpdesk to full system administration, and I currently hold ZERO certifications. I don’t want to stay with this company for more than another year or so. And looking forward it’s looking like I will need them to even be considered for most positions.

I also just want to better myself and gain additional skills as to me it feels like my time with the company has been a drain on my skills and abilities, I feel like I’m worse off now than I was before, simply because the scope of my job has narrowed over time.

so long story short, I want to get certs, and I’m not afraid of spending my own money to do so, but I know that the company has done tuition reimbursement and paid for other training in the past.

I want to ask my boss to let me take training and maybe reimburse me for certs but I have no idea where to begin. Should I just ask her straight away? Do I have to get at least one on my own time with my own money before I should ask?

Also, side question: I was promised a $3000 raise after 90 days… I’ve been here almost 5 months now, and nothing more has been said about it. What do I do?

8 Spice ups
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I would ask your boss about your training and education first.

Ask if there is a budget for training and education.

Next try Human Resources.

You might be surprised by them.

Do you have the raise in writing? Ask HR about that too.

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I’d just be real with your boss and let him/her know where you feel like you’re at and inquire if the company will help you pursue some of your own IT training interests. As far as getting your own material before asking, I would at least check some things out. I have no affiliation with CBT Nuggets, other than I pay them for training videos, but I strongly recommend them. Since you don’t have any certifications, and I’m assuming aren’t very familiar with the certification world, some of the costs you’ll find may seem steep. CBT Nuggets, along with a number of companies out there, have trials of their products. I’m not sure your learning style, but I cannot stand reading books. I learn much more from videos and hands on, which is what CBT Nuggets offers.

As for your promised raise, I’d just ask about it. They may have forgotten, or they may just promise those things, hoping employees don’t ask. The worst they’ll say is “sorry,” but if they don’t do it this might give you some leverage in asking for training monies.

You didn’t really ask, but as for what training to do - I’d flip through Google, Spiceworks forums, etc… and find the many people who keep asking the same question of “What training do I do first?” You’ll find tons of different answers, but hopefully in reading those you’ll find what training suits you best. Some companies do not value certifications. I have worked for them. Yet, other companies value them highly. Personally, I am a fan. I do suggest considering your own interests and studying for exams that are appealing to you. This will make getting certifications much more interesting, and you’ll actually retain the information, putting value to the certifications you obtain.

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I think that before you start talking about training/certs, that you should clear up the issue with the $3K. If there is a misunderstanding about that, then you might also have one regarding reimbursements for training and or certification testing in the future. If the Company is two months late already, then then someone is either not very detail oriented, or they are just hoping you might have forgotten. Either way, there is a disconnect that needs to be addressed, now.

Because you seem to be heading toward a job hunt in the next year or so, remember certs are sometimes used as screening elements by employers. As such, any cert is better than no cert. They will help get you past the ‘required skills’ portions of job postings, many of which are automated, so they do have some value. Depending on the position you are looking for, if you highlight accomplishments rather than worry about a lot of certs in your resume, that may be enough to get you in front of an interviewer. At that point, it’s up to you, personally, to wow them, not your ‘paper.’

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I expect the raise might just be something that was forgotten… among other things.

I’ll bring it up with HR straight away, its not something that I want to just go by the wayside.

also, has anyone on here taken the leap from a windows administration position to linux administration? Any advice or recommended approaches to finding a more entry-level type or lower experience requirement role?

I only seem to find positions with what seem to be very high experience requirements, mostly high level positions. I’ve used Linux for years and I’ve done some great projects with it at my previous jobs and I’m wanting to move over to it almost entirely for work like I have at home.

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Definitely bring up the issue of the raise ASAP with your manager. More than likely it was an oversight, so you need to remind them of what was agreed upon. I’ve been in the same situation before. I finally got my money that was retroactive to the date it was supposed to start, but it took some persistent reminding to get it.

As for training and certs, hold off for now in asking the company for this if you’re really looking at jumping ship soon. Most places will reimburse you for training/certs on the condition that you remain there for a certain amount of time, else you have to pay back the money. Even if they don’t have a written rule on this, it just isn’t professional to have them pay if you’re not going to stay.

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Richard,

I am sorry to hear you feel you have regressed at your current position. Whatever message you want to convey to your employer, make sure you say it with confidence and passion. Your employer will take you more seriously by being direct with them knowing exactly what training you need to achieve these goals. As for the raise after 90 days, if the organization promised the $3,000 raise then it is your realm to bring it up. People don’t want to be underpaid as much as they don’t want to be overpaid.

I wanted to pass along this blog post that explains the benefits of adding IT training to your budget for you and your employer to read. Good luck and keep us updated on how everything goes!

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  1. Ask your boss ASAP about the raise and then follow up with him or HR. Don’t wait around for them, otherwise you will be conveniently forgotten. They don’t sit there thinking “Hmmm… did I give Richard his raise or not?”

  2. Check with HR on training/certs. That’s not a big deal. Just check on the conditions. I know that with some companies if they pay for you to train on a cert or pay towards your degree, if you leave the company within a year from the payout of that benefit, then you might have to return that benefit, as they do want to see an ROI.

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Great answers so far, I’ll just add in a few extra things:

One of the best pieces of career advise I’ve been given is “Decide where you want to be in 5 years and start working on that today.” Which certifications make sense for you will be based on the answer to that question and your overall career plan.

Also, if you are thinking of moving into Linux and have questions about LPI certifications, don’t hesitate to reach out to me. I’d be happy to answer any questions you might have.

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Everything that people have mentioned so far is 100% spot-on. The only thing I’d like to add is to be cautious about employer-reimbursed training. Sometimes it comes no-strings-attached, but very VERY often there’s a policy somewhere that if they pay for training, you have to stay at the company for xx months or pay them back.

There are also companies that will pay for your exam, but only if you pass.

So make sure you know the score in that regard.

Otherwise I agree with everything posted so far.

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