A computer just did what?

Back when I was just a young guy starting out, I chose my career carefully, weighing all my goals and desires and needs. After all that consideration, I decided that what I'd shoot for would be the type of career where I would never actually have to "work," and no actual "results" would be expected of me.

Hence, law school.

The downside to that decision is that a career in law means spending a lot of time with lawyers, who suck, and also that if your career is one that pretty much anyone who can talk could do, it does not (contrary to popular opinion) actually pay all that much. All those stories about rich lawyers you hear? Bunk. Most lawyers stay in the office so long because they don't have homes to go to. John Edwards didn't get rich suing people; I know for a fact he used to buy lots of scratch-off lottery tickets.

No, if you want the big money these days, the prestige, the house to live in, it seems you've got to actually do something that people want and do it well. Which is why I've been looking into the Cisco certification available through the Cisco Learning Network.

Cisco certification is the key to a great career, whether you're just starting out or thinking of switching. Computers permeate every area of our lives right now. Don't believe me? Well, smarty, I'm writing this on a computer, and you're reading it on a computer, and a computer just asked out your daughter, so think again.

With all that computing, IT (Information Technology) professionals are in demand and will be in demand for the rest of history. Cisco certification through the Cisco Learning Network puts you in a position to take advantage of that demand. Become a network security professional, learn how to work on voice and wireless apps, with a certification that practically guarantees that employers and managers will take you seriously, and pay you accordingly.

Here's a stat: right now, 73% of managers think security of their computer systems is important, while only 57% think their current IT people have the skills necessary to handle that. That gap between the people that want skilled employees and the people that actually have them, is your ticket to job security, riches, and adventure. Well, job security and riches, anyway. The adventure will have to be on your weekends.