IT Certification job outlook?(Finacial Aid-living expenses)

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So far I'm in the early stages of Microsoft Internet Certification. I'm training for it with a year program at college that includes prerequisites(English, Psychology, Oral Communication). So I might have a Certificate with that College Name that might help me job hunt and look good on a resume. I may also combine this course with a few additional classes to get more Certificates. Or possibly keep going for an Associates such as Computer Security.

I was just curious if people might have any feedback on the job outlook for programs like this? I've heard of Computer Associate grads who are chronically unemployed. I'm wondering if they just learned terrible majors or if they went to a online school with a bad reputation. At least people around here seem to think my school is reputable.

So I guess one thought I have is if I think the job outlook is good I might adjust my Student Aid. Right now it pays my Tuition and Books and whatever is left is a disbursement I can spend on gas or whatever. So far I accepted interest free money and I get back about $300 each period. If I wanted I could have asked for another 3,000 or so which does have some interest and would just increase my disbursement.

I was thinking of bumping it up another 500-1000 but not the full 3000. I'm taking 3 classes full time while unemployed but living cheap in my parents' place. The first quarter I put a lot of my available time in to my courses and two of my classes are reporting A's(still waiting on my 3rd grade). So partly for that reason the financial cushion means I don't need a job right away and may help me keep high marks.

I guess this thread is basically just what's on my mind as I finish up my first period going back to college and trying to retrain in this economy. I'm kind of balancing the financial aspect because I'm in a terrible area for jobs.

Honestly, I think IT has yet to recover in the job avenue. Corporate downsizing has forced many a experienced admin into entry level jobs. If you want one, be prepared to apply for a long time and be ready to move where the money is.

That's so weird. The information on "Job Demand" is so conflicting I don't know what the hell employers want.

I hear employer's whine they need more skilled labor for various jobs that can't be filled. Yet also people say grads are up against the Human Resources Brick Wall. Sometimes I wonder if employers know many veteran IT workers are out there looking for work in this sh***y economy so when job opening are posted they hold out for people with experience.

Well I guess if I tweak my financial aid "allowance" I should do it modestly. Or contact IT companies and ask them what they actually want.

Also if the money is there I'm willing to relocate anywhere.

I wouldn't go too nuts on these certs, IT is full of specialisms and these certs also have a shelf life. Maybe try the Cisco CCNA, and leave it there with this Microsoft course you are doing.

There are still a lot of it jobs around but as with anything it's the catch 22 of experience required. I suggest offering yourself up to local non-profits or schools so that you can get some experience under your belt, even if it's unpaid.

Otherwise you'll need to fully immerse yourself in it. Read plenty and play a lot.

Jason