Question
In order to get a job as a webmaster what training should a person get?
Is a two year degree a must?
How about self taught? Does that cut it any more?
Answer
In my neck of the woods, two things count: certification and a portfolio. The portfolio is by far the most important, with the certification mainly used as a confirmation that one has some background in standard practices and security.
A caveat to that: At some companies, you won't get in the door to even talk about a job of any kind without a college degree.
Answer
Gramp, I have neither, and I just got a job as a web"mistress" about a year ago. However, it's with the same company I've been with for 20 years, so I'm sure that helps.
Good luck-I think it's hard to find good training for this type of position. I need to fill in some holes for my knowledge base, and the pickings are slim!
Answer
Depends. If you're looking for a "job" with just one boss, then I'm sure the education thing is probably more of a factor. If you're persuing it as a consultant or contractor, that portfolio and references will provide all the clout you need.
IT is such a dynamic field, current knowledge and applicable skills would be at the top of any job criteria in my book. I don't give a hoot about what else you may or may not know even though if its in any way relevant, it would be a plus.
Real job skills come into focus when the "student" leaves the classroom, and not necessarily something you may have learned 5-15 years ago... in this line of work, you have to be prepared for an ongoing program of self-development though your work and your own research. Classrooms will provide the basics based on popularity and demand, but they won't teach you how to do any one particular thing and do it well. And may have limitations when it comes to implementing cutting edge technolgy or pulling together several areas of involvement and some of the lesser known tools and resources.
I really don't want to pick on Ray from Wagglepop, he may have been great in the classroom, but that doesn't mean he had all it takes to get a website off the ground, and keep it going.
There's plenty of small businesses that need help in both using and making a home on the net.
Answer
Here's a thread elsewhere where they're discussing... it.
Entering IT with expertise
http://techrepublic.com.com/5208-623...&tag=nl.e1 01
Answer
If I were in the market for a webmaster (ie - someone to take over for me on an e-commerce type site), proven past & current performance is what would count.
I could care less about any 'paper certificates' or 'awards' or 'degrees' one might hold/have earned.
If you can't PROVE to me that what you know/can do works HIGHLY SUCCESSFULLY, and SHOW me LIVE/SUCCESSFUL/ON the Internet examples) then you drop down into the circular file.
Keeping up with all the 'search engine' algorithms and do's/don'ts is yet another BIG plus.
Answer
Kathleen hit the nail right on the head. I just hate it when I see someone get ripped off by these so called "webmasters" that build websites in "frames" or don't even have a clue about meta tags. I have one lady that is in for about $1000 and she is not going to be able to even edit her meta tags. Plus when I first checked her site the meta tags were all the same on all pages. So I advised her on how they should be set up. Her webmaster said I was going to get her banned from Google but she would change them for a additional $100. So yes I'm with Kathleen "show me the money"
Mike
Answer
Thanks for all the opinions.
I'm thinking of taking some certificate courses to start out.
Answer
Nothing wrong with certs when you're starting out, but get some web space and put up some samples of your work. Include the URLs on your job apps and resume.