After reading the statistics from http://www.certmag.com/read.php?start=0&in=3915, I would like to have some notes
1) What we should study?
"Rounding out the top five highest-paying certs in 2009 were: (ISC)2 Information Systems Security Architecture Professional (CISSP-ISSAP) with $136,060; Brocade Certified SAN Manager (BCSM) with $136,020; Brocade Certified Fabric Designer (BCFD or BCSD) with $135,600; and the (ISC)2 Information Systems Security Management Professional (CISSP-ISSMP) with $134,100."
Obviously, I should be Security and Telecom ^_^
2) Should we study graduate schools?
"Another finding is that the majority of individuals in each of the other groups — including those with a high school diploma, a two-year associate’s degree, technical training, bachelor’s degree and master’s degree — reported annual earnings between $100,000 and $109,999 this year. These results are somewhat surprising given the vast difference in qualifications and skill sets that exists among these groups.
What has remained constant, however, is the fact that the majority of those who possess a doctorate command the highest annual salary among all groups — 11 percent of those with a doctorate reported earning between $110,000 and $119,999 this year."
If you have an PhD, you will have an increase of 11% in terms of salary. But reconsider about PhD. You spend 4-5 in graduate schools just to earn an increase of 11%. In terms of opportunity cost, PhD doesn't make sense.
3) If no PhD, what should we study?
"Trends such as “hybrid jobs,” which are positions that blend IT with expertise in another industry — health care, for example — require much more than simply an IT specialization. Often, they entail obtaining another degree in a different subject."
Having a non-IT degree + IT degree are the best. For example, MBA + IT Engineer Master is wonderful.
4) Is Web Development out of date?
"As for lower-salary-tier IT specializations on the slump, Web development seemed to continue its downward trend from last year, with about 17 percent of its respondents indicating that they earn less than $20,000."
The answer is YES.
5) How are developing countries's IT pros, especially Vietnam?
"Last year’s Salary Survey had Vietnam, Sri Lanka, India, the Philippines and Pakistan as its lowest performers in terms of salary — in that order. These countries had similarly low numbers this year, with 82.6 percent of respondents in the Philippines, 76 percent of respondents in Pakistan, 74.8 percent of respondents in India, 73.5 percent of respondents in Sri Lanka and 70.6 percent of respondents in Vietnam earning less than $20,000 a year."
Poor Vietnam, but it reflected that real situation in developing countries.
SUMMARY
BEST JOB: IT Security/Telecom Engineer Bachelor + MBA + Working in US or EU ^_^
Good luck ^_^
