[AccessD] OT: What are you lot doing now and then?

Jim Dettman jimdettman at earthlink.net
Fri Feb 18 08:38:07 CST 2005


Steve,

1. Access

2. Moving more into SQL Server both in terms of development and DBA.  Also
using VFP to develop one major app at the moment.  Will be starting on .Net
most likely in the latter half of this year.  Starting to get calls for it.
Still support a large number of legacy applications and still program in
Fortran, NPL, and some other odds and ends stuff.

3. Independent.

4. None that I've bothered to keep up with.  Had Access and VB at one point
and was working on MSCD and MSCE but I started at looking at what I was
spending vs what I was getting.  Certifications are nice but bottom line is
companies want results.  I've never had to advertise as I've always worked
on a referral basis, so the certifications don't mean all that much to me.
I do a good job for clients at a reasonable price and word gets around.  So
for the past 23 years, I've never lacked for work.

 I do understand where your coming from though.  I'm 45 now and have been
asking myself a lot lately if I'm still going to be able to keep doing what
I'm doing for the next 20 years.  It's very hard to stay on top of all the
new stuff and still keep everyone happy.  If I wanted to make a career
switch, it can't be too much longer as once I get into my fifties (egads!) I
simply won't be as marketable anymore no matter what skills I have.

  On top of that is the lack of health insurance options, 401K, pension
plan, etc.  I know I could get all that one way or another, but it's costly.

Jim



-----Original Message-----
From: accessd-bounces at databaseadvisors.com
[mailto:accessd-bounces at databaseadvisors.com]On Behalf Of Steve Erbach
Sent: Friday, February 18, 2005 7:05 AM
To: Access Developers discussion and problem solving
Subject: [AccessD] OT: What are you lot doing now and then?


Dear Group,

Could you indulge me in a little survey?

1) What's your main line of work these days? Access development, SQL
Server administration/development, VB, ASP/ASP.NET, PHP...?

2) How does your work today differ from what you were doing a few
years ago? Is it only that you're using newer versions of the same
tools, or are you doing entirely different development work?

3) Are you independent or do you work for a company? If you work for a
company, what's the size of the company and where do you fit in?

4) Do you have any Microsoft Certifications? If so, do you keep
current with them, and/or have they made any difference in your
current position?

Thank you very much. I'm approaching a career crossroads with the
decision to stay in business as an independent developer or not. I
have picked up a fair amount of .NET knowledge (the hard way -- is
there any other?) but I have no Microsoft certifications.

Regards,

Steve Erbach
Scientific Marketing
Neenah, WI
www.swerbach.com
Security Page: www.swerbach.com/security
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