I've got an MCSA Windows 7, which was only two exams. I crammed a textbook for two weeks for each exam, felt like I almost knew the material, took the tests, felt like I was failing both tests the entire time I was taking them, and passed both.
I'm currently working on my MSCA Server 2012, just because my employer wants me working on some kind of cert, and the only other thing that would make sense in this job is VMware VCP and I'm just not feeling it.
I have absolutely zero education in computers and had a somewhat questionable amount of experience at the time, so you should do okay. OTOH I'm damn good at test taking.
MSCA
If you havent, I would recommend the Cisco certs. They go over concepts and how things actually work, in addition to teaching you how to use their equipment. ICND1 is a really good intro to networking
QUOTE Drizzo: ha ha good old chap
Drizzo: i am a brit
Drizzo: tut tut
Drizzo: wankarrrrrr
Drizzo: i only have sex whilst in the missionary position[/quote] Fas est et ab hoste doceri - Ovid
Drizzo: i am a brit
Drizzo: tut tut
Drizzo: wankarrrrrr
Drizzo: i only have sex whilst in the missionary position[/quote] Fas est et ab hoste doceri - Ovid
I'm studying for the CCENT (ICND1) right now, and am enrolling in an online course to get my 2nd bachelors in Network Admin. I already have my A+, which was pretty basic stuff (just a lot of it), and like the Cisco stuff. I took a Cisco academy course in highschool but didn't get the CCNA, so I'm enjoying the idea of finally getting that cert.
From what I've read about all these IT certs, they're just a way to get an entry level job. You can have 20 certs but if you don't have experience, you're still probably only gonna nab that low-level helpdesk job. Which isn't a bad thing. I'm looking to start a career in IT, so I have no problems starting at the bottom. I just figured getting some certs and a degree in it will do nothing but help me advance faster and further after I get that entry level job.
From what I've read about all these IT certs, they're just a way to get an entry level job. You can have 20 certs but if you don't have experience, you're still probably only gonna nab that low-level helpdesk job. Which isn't a bad thing. I'm looking to start a career in IT, so I have no problems starting at the bottom. I just figured getting some certs and a degree in it will do nothing but help me advance faster and further after I get that entry level job.
"Leave Bacon alone. When he's unsure of what sector he's in somehow it works out better." -Lee
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takingarms1
- Posts: 3052
- Joined: Fri Feb 20, 2004 8:00 am
For what it's worth, I used to work in IT, doing web development stuff. I started in college working for a small company, and he offered me a full time position after I graduated as director of operations. The firm mostly did IT outsourcing - so basically A-Z from helpdesk to server upgrades/installs to internet connectivity. We hired guys with certs. The company owner did not have a college degree, and valued hands-on experience. He also pushed guys to get the Microsoft and Cisco certs and would hire people with those certs.
I spent 2001-2002 working there, so just after the big dot com bubble. After that, I learned that having a degree is huge, because when firms can afford to be choosey about IT staff, they choose people with the best credentials. Certs help, and certainly don't hurt, but some firms just think they are fairly useless (which is probably true). Experience, good references, and above all, knowing the right people, trumps all. Building your resume starting with a BS in computer science and adding in Certs certainly helps separate you from people who don't have those things. But certainly try to get your foot in the door somewhere, even if it is crappy pay (or no pay at first), and build experience AND contacts that you can use to get to the next level.
That last bit, about contacts - is huge. It's the one thing they rarely teach in school, and in particular computer people have trouble with. Your first few years in any trade can be made a LOT easier if you meet people who can introduce you to other people, and who can say, "that guy worked for me, and he was good." That can go a long way, and is worth sacrificing a little pay up front, because it advances your career faster and lets you make more pay later.
Everyone you meet is that kind of potential contact, but especially your bosses and coworkers. Impress them with, if nothing else, your ability to work hard and never take shortcuts or the easy way out and by being dependable and honest. It also helps if you can make them laugh and/or like you.
I spent 2001-2002 working there, so just after the big dot com bubble. After that, I learned that having a degree is huge, because when firms can afford to be choosey about IT staff, they choose people with the best credentials. Certs help, and certainly don't hurt, but some firms just think they are fairly useless (which is probably true). Experience, good references, and above all, knowing the right people, trumps all. Building your resume starting with a BS in computer science and adding in Certs certainly helps separate you from people who don't have those things. But certainly try to get your foot in the door somewhere, even if it is crappy pay (or no pay at first), and build experience AND contacts that you can use to get to the next level.
That last bit, about contacts - is huge. It's the one thing they rarely teach in school, and in particular computer people have trouble with. Your first few years in any trade can be made a LOT easier if you meet people who can introduce you to other people, and who can say, "that guy worked for me, and he was good." That can go a long way, and is worth sacrificing a little pay up front, because it advances your career faster and lets you make more pay later.
Everyone you meet is that kind of potential contact, but especially your bosses and coworkers. Impress them with, if nothing else, your ability to work hard and never take shortcuts or the easy way out and by being dependable and honest. It also helps if you can make them laugh and/or like you.
Last edited by takingarms1 on Mon Aug 26, 2013 6:01 pm, edited 1 time in total.
"You give my regards to St. Peter. Or, whoever has his job, but in hell!"
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germloucks
- Posts: 756
- Joined: Sat Feb 19, 2005 8:00 am
- Location: Seattle
I think M$'s goal is to lure people into their development system. There is far more profit at a few million basic entry devs worldwide than a few 100's "elite" devs. The "elite" devs with dozens of M$ certs won't leave, since they invested too much.
If you want to invest in M$ certs, it might be wise to have a few entry certs every X years. It's changing so fast, why should you be invest in a ton of obsolete version of your favorite dev tool?
If you want to invest in M$ certs, it might be wise to have a few entry certs every X years. It's changing so fast, why should you be invest in a ton of obsolete version of your favorite dev tool?
