Letter to the editor

  • Sep 19, 2001

In May 2000, I got my Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer certification but have never really been allowed to use the skills I acquired. I was told by my boss at the time that a MCSE was irrelevant to my job as a computer specialist and that I was only getting it for personal growth.

One of the reasons, I feel, that federal information technology workers fall behind is that we are not required to stay up with the IT world. We are allowed to just stagnate in our jobs and just wait for retirement. Sad, but true.

I would jump at any opportunity for advanced training, but the federal government feels that if it trains IT workers, they will leave. In this way, the government chooses to lag behind the private sector.

Most people thought I would leave to go to the private sector as soon as I got my MCSE, but I am still here. However, I am looking to move on to a different location. Maybe the next location will have a different outlook on training and certifications.

Navar Holmes

Department of Veterans Affairs

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