JVP

>>Again, I say be careful what you ask for, you might just get it...

As one who has been both, I'd have to say that the advantages of being "professional" far outweigh the disadvantages IMHO. For a start, a profession can set compulsory standards which members must meet or leave the profession. You quote the AMA; the AMA sets and publishes standards that doctors have to meet and not only certifies compliance but can (and does) ban single or whole groups of doctors it thinks do not comply. The AMA sets requirements for everything from location and extent of training through to the sort of work a doctor can perform. This is why there is no such thing as a "minimally trained heart surgeon" anywhere I have ever worked. You cannot claim that title until you have convinced your critical peers that you are up to it; there is no multi-choice exam and your "assessment" takes place over years of expert work.

This is a far cry from IT which has no barriers to entry or enforceable quality standards, relying to a large part on multi-choice exams that are a poor proxy for expertise. Anybody can set up shop as an "expert programmer" and create horrible apps that make the whole industry look shonky. And silly people can become "consultants" and spout propoganda about Linux or VB without having any ssignificant experience with either.

We are, however, seeing "real" exams coming through that attempt to test experience and require candidates to exhibit appropriate responses to likely scenarios. Some of the network exams and newer Unix exams are of this type. By comparison (and with respect to those who have it) MCP or even MCSP for that matter, is unimpressive.

IMHO IT needs to become elitist, promoting and honouring achievement of very high, reproducable standards. If we don't, IT will come to be treated as a commodity and taken under the wing of a more organised speciality (most likely management) that will set standards for us and carve as much as possible out of the money pie to feed themselves.

Anyway, Compliments of the Season,

Best Regards

JR