[AccessD] OT:Building your business was... Rate for fi rst tim e

Ron, I am in a similar situation, though I do contract stuff on the side,
and work a LOT more hours (well, I used too, lately I have only worked 45
hours a week).

I am a little over your 'argument's sake' salary, if I only work 40 hours a
week.  I consider myself to be making about 60% of what I should be making.
However, with the current job market, it's extremely difficult to find other
work.  In fact, I just was turned down for a job recently.  Right now the
market is flooded with all sorts of IT folks, and most of them have degrees
and certifications.  I have very little faith in either of those,
personally.  However, even though most companies are hiring off of
experience versus quals, it seems as if they are paying more for quals then
knowledge/capabilities.  I'm afraid that's just part of the business world.
It's hard to nail down, but I'm pretty sure the problem lies with Accounts
in general.  They find it nearly impossible to quantify someone's value by
their knowledge or capabilities, however, it is very easy for them to
quantify someones education.

For example, have you ever seen a salary comparison sheet that showed
something like this:

Knowledge:
Salary:
Genius.  Can't stump this guy/girl.
$250,000
Extremely smart, learns everything thrown at him/her.
$180,000
Pretty smart, knows what he's paid to do and a little more.
$110,000
Smart, knows his/her job.
$70,000
Average, can do his/her job as long as there are instructions.	$40,000
A little slow, needs to constantly be shown what to do.		$25,000
Pretty stupid, can barely do his/her job with lots of help.
$10,000
Dumb as a post, can barely tie his/her shoes.
-$1,000

Of course you haven't seen a salary list like that.  Instead, salary lists
are made up of a job title, along with certifications and degrees.
Obviously a perfect system! <evil grin>.

What I like most about being employed full time though, is I get to work on
random stuff during idle time (when there is idle time), so I am constantly
learning!

Drew

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