MCSE training

[shadow]

Hi all, I at 40 years of age have decided to change career directions and will be more than likely taking a 59 week MCSE course at a college here in town (CDI) beginning May 1st. I am an electronic tech by trade and have been for 17 years. Any thoughts, advice, jobs to seek once finished, which certifications to go for, etc., etc., would be appreciated.
Thx pros.
Pat

[smurfin]

Here is a great thought that is much cheaper. Buy the New Riders all in one CD that covers 6 tests, rig up a few computers for a home network then keep installing reinstalling nt for a few months at the same time studying. Start with NT server or workstation first, study only that and then in a few months(I had to do it eveings after work(not much time so it takes longer)take the test for that course, you are MCP. Cost? about 20000 less dollars than going to a school. Schools are better for some people, some can do it alone, go to cramsession.com and a couple places like that before you decide what to do. After MCSE, only one word...CISCO!

[cyclone2]

Good luck Shadow! At 39 I'm also in your predicement, looking at a slightly different tack though. I am going to take a course this summer but in the Internet end of things. <another Canajun>

[shadow]

It's decided now. I will be getting sponsored by a gov't program to take a MCSE 59 week course starting May 1. I have my tuition paid and as well get UI (living allowance) while I attend. Guess I'll be a schoolboy for awhile now. What a country! http://www.sysopt.com/forum/smile.gif
When I started looking into this sponsorship retraining program, I didn't have much confidence. Now here I am. I am really interested in going into internet security once I have the course, I hope to find a way into that.

[cyclone2]

Its a tough decision to make aye. Go to school again and support your family, It was a tough decision for me too but in the end it should be worth it. At least we are going into a field where there will be a demand and opportunities for many moons to come.Have fun!(getting same EI program)

[shadow]

I agree it was a tough decision to make but I came to the conclusion that something had to change, now seemed to be the right time to do it. But without some help from EI, it wouldn't have happened. I still find it hard to believe I am getting all the funding I am. Cyclone, when do you start, what course, where, how long...etc.?

[cyclone2]

I am starting in July, run till next March 8 months, local college in Nanaimo BC, should cost me $3500 after all govt programs shake down. It covers C++, visual basic, web programing and management,data processing,data management and basic graphics etc. I also intend to take an A+ exam at end as I should know enough by then to pass that. Right now i am teaching myself how to use HoTMetaL a web publishing program. Good luck and will keep updates on this forum as time progresses.

[shadow]

Ahh, a programmer...sounds great and good luck. I hope to pick up a bit about programming as I go along. There's an intersting job opp at 3D Realms (Duke Nukem). One of the benefits is a freezer full of all the goodies you can eat. Sounds like a fun place to work! We may just have to turn this forum into a study session forum in the next few months http://www.sysopt.com/forum/wink.gif
PW

[cyclone2]

Heh maybe Barry can join in if he starts a course! I will probably be dabbleing in networking on my own (when I can afford to build 2nd puter, have some parts)sounds like you are doing same. biz to biz post you know at Atic.ca in Vancouver a new K6-2 400 is only $80 and Celery 400 is $105 Im sure in Calgary or another large centre near you will offer similar prices. See yah

[barry glisson]

hi guys, i have two computers now and enough parts to build a couple more only need the time to do it. part of my salary was housing. im in the process of moving now. got to be out by monday so things are a little hectic right now see yall later. barry

[shadow]

Building them has become a bad habit, I have 3 Pentiums in a network now, various other ones (486 & 386's) and a few pieces here and there. Trouble is I'm always short the expensive pieces like a decent HD, mobo, cpu's, dimms...etc...etc. I want to get one set up with NT once I start the course...maybe revive the 486/66. I hope they give away a NT cd as part of the course!
Good luck with the move Barry.
****, I hates movin.
PW

[medo]

Hello,

It will be very difficult, but keep on going. Good luck.

Medo

http://www.sysopt.com/forum/smile.gif

[shadow]

Some IT employment info: http://www.zdnet.com/anchordesk/story/story_4670.html

[zzzreyes]

follow this string.... http://www.sysopt.com/forum/Forum1/HTML/005565.html

[colmpower]

chk out www.mcmcse.com (http://www.mcmcse.com) for free cbt and exams also www.informit.com (http://www.informit.com) for free books online --------- its all just a nanosecond away -

my company recently spent an assload of cash on cbt training - fair play to them but they got the nt track suite - all except the elective and fundamentaly the n.b. exams
these sites are a career giver and a lesson in the dawn of humanity

[Dallasmcse]

I did the study at home with 2 pc's and a lot of reloading. One year, six tests later, mcse. About 250$ in books.
Whatever track you decide to do remember nothing beats hands-on so get to running what you are studying!! Most everything can be gotten for timelock demo.

[barry glisson]

Dallasmcse, if you have time i would appreciate a list of the books you used.this is the track i'm taking and it would be a big help to me and probably others as well. thanks, Barry

[Dallasmcse]

For Barry;
Mastering nt server by Mark Manasi(What a guru on the subject He writes for nt mag)
MCSE 4pak by Sybex:covers ntwks;nt Server;
Server Enterprise;Networking essentials
Nt Server Resource Kit. Microsoft web site
( the best resource of all). Go to half-price books or something similar. Save a bundle there. Split the 4 pak like I did with a study bud. Trade with your other tech friends. Don't fall for the cheat sites 'cause the answers are wrong most of the time. Remember what I said about loading the os'es. Nothing beats hands on. I loaded server 15 times before I took test. Try breaking down your home network one piece at a time and look at how it behaves. it is hard to make yourself get up 2 hours earlier to study and get home and study 2 hours more.
Then on Saturday do an 8 hour review of the weeks study. Do that again on same subject.
Need I go on here???
"You always have time for the things you want most" This is how I live my life.

[This message has been edited by Dallasmcse (edited 04-26-2000).]

[barry glisson]

Dallasmce thanks for the list and the advice. just printed it out. barry

[smurfin]

Been gone two weeks. Found some cool stuff while Iwas off. Bought a cisco simulator at bookpool(prices are always great, 40-50%off) and got in the new win2000 station,server, advanced server package(4.95)shipping only. That is something that might have not been mentioned, don't buy the software for learnning, you are going to break it apart so often anyway that a 120day evaluation kit works just fine. Anyway, off to learn this active directory stuff so that I can get my Novell5 server integrated into my home lab(5 was also cheap, eval edition was only 19.00!)

[blubomber]

Hey smurfin, where do you get that New Raiders or whatever CD you were talking about? Do they have one for win2k MCSE yet?

[barry glisson]

barnes& nobles,borders thats for the 6 in one idont think they have the 2000 yet. for 2000 you are not given the test on tcp/ip or nrtworking essentials it is "assumed knowledge" whatever that means. barry

[tantone]

www.cramsession.com (http://www.cramsession.com)

The info on their little cramsession printouts is invaluable. Know that material inside and out and you will pass the test. Keep an eye out for the Transcender software. It's a great SimTest to prepare for the exams. And the exams aren't all they're cracked up to be--much easier than I was led to believe.

For those of you with your CNE, Net Tech will exempt you from Net Essentials for the MCSE.

[tantone]

Oh yeah, one more thing. If you're considering waiting until the NT4 exams retire and the 2000 are introduced so you won't have to take them both, don't. You'll be a hell of a lot more marketable if you know both, since most companies aren't going to run right out and upgrade to 2000. There's also an accelerated exam to stay certified that you can take before Dec31, 2001 for Win2000. You can only take it once though, and if you fail it, you'll have to take each of the 2000 tests individually.

There's my $.02

[smurfin]

You can get New Riders "MCSE Complete" at Barnes and Nobles, Bookpool.com(dirt cheap prices) or just about any bookstore. Sorry took so long to respond, cleaning up the network for shutdown on June 2.

[EmperorRob]

Shadow, you got the right idea. I just graduated college not too long ago with a programming degree. As a side feature I got my CNA in Novell.

DON'T DO THAT EVER! Novell is useless. I didn't even have to pay much attention in class.

However I also took an NT class and the MCSE is one hard SOB. Good luck with the test.

P.S. Microsoft absolutely loves with the situation multiple choice questions.

[smurfin]

I would not ignore Novell, in any event, a dual cert like MCP+CNA is very valuable, as many networks are hybrids containing both nt and novell systems. Yes microsoft tests are extremely difficult if you don't know the material, but any cert will be easy if you know the stuff and have studies sufficiently. Get bot certs if possible, you won't have many job limitations either way.