Certifications: Too many to choose, what should I do?

[wyvrn]

I am currently a MCP with only two tests left for MCSE status (TCP/ip and whatever else I choose as elective). I am also going to school at ITT for a Computer Networking Science Technology Associates degree (CNST). The curriculum can be found here:
http://www.itttech.edu/curric/cnst/tx/

I also want to take more certifications so I will be loaded upon graduation. I am thinking of either CCNE, CNA, or Network +. Which would you guys choose and why? Are there any others I should consider? Please only people with experience/certifications reply. Thanks!

[This message has been edited by wyvrn (edited 07-10-2000).]

[ISD]

Loading up on certs will NOT guarantee a job! Most companies want experience, not certs. I am a MCSE (also MCP+I, CNA and A+), with three exams left for my CNE. My limited practical experience did hamper my employment success. Whatever you do decide, make sure you actually LEARN what you are studying! Don't just cram to pass the exams. Employers are administering assessment tests on candidates now. I spent the time setting up networks while studying, but some just read books and use "brain dumps". They are the ones without jobs

[wyvrn]

I have setup a network at home, and am currently looking for a job as a entry-level network type person. Even "entry level" jobs are hard to find without experience, so it is a catch-22 there. I have plenty of desktop and helpdesk experience, though. Over 2 years of it

[ISD]

Yes, it is a catch-22. Companies want experience, but a person has to get it somehow. It also depends alot on the area you live in. I have been picking up work experience anyway I can (retail computer stores, contract positions), and it all adds up in the end. Network positions are kinda hard to come across for "entry-level". Maybe try a retail store to get your foot in the door (hopefully one with network exposure)

I am relocating myself at the end of the month. The area that I am in is saturated with recent IT grads. It that an option for you?

Don't be fooled by school/training centre hype. There is a IT shortage....just not for entry level people!

[Goethe]

I have no official education in IT field but for my last 2 jobs I've been working as a Systems Administrator. You just need to get ur foot in the door and show people what you can do, from there is much easier. What else is important is no metter how much expirience or education you have if you don't have ability to be personal with people and charm them then you don't have much chance.

[wyvrn]

I am interviewing for a position in which I will need to support Unix Servers and a modem rack. I know nothing of Unix, but they are willing to train. The pay is good and the company is a good one too. Any ideas on textbooks that will help my Unix learning curve? TIA!

[wyvrn]

ktwebb


I had already taken 4 of the mcse nt4.0 track tests. It would have been a greater waste to dismiss them and take all of the win2k tests. This way I only have to take 5 ( 2nt4.0 left and the 3 win2k upgrade tests) as opposed to taking 6 win2k tests. It all seems water under the bridge, the MCSE certs do not guarantee a good job anymore anyway, so I will in all likelihood forget finishing them.

[This message has been edited by wyvrn (edited 07-17-2000).]

[ISD]

My advice is to forget about certs, and learn UNIX. Call most ISP's and ask them what they use...you will find UNIX is the preferred NOS. Another avenue to go is website designing. Depends on what you want to do though.

[ISD]

Personally, UNIX would be a very good thing to learn. I plan on doing this myself. Just about all the large financial institutions up here in Canada use it (in one of it's flavors), and the money is good too!
Your best bet is to take a course at a local tech school, or if money is a issue..pick up a copy of Solaris from Sun and self-study.
The learning curve will be tough unless you are a Linux guru

[ktwebb]

"I am thinking of either CCNE"

CCNE? CCNA maybe. Or perhaps I just am unfamiliar with a CCNE cert. No cisco cert by that acronym. If you did mean CCNA, that is the one in particular that will make you the most money of the ones you mentioned, but there is an expectation with it, and you would be exposed pretty quickly on the job if the material were memorized and not learned. I would consider myself a paper CCNA. I needed to pass the test so the company I work for could become a Cisco partner but there is no real pressure on me since we deal with the Cisco wireless product and my knowledge of routers is not crucial. I would have to come clean, however, if I were interviewing and were expected to have realworld knowledge of Cisco router/switch hardware. Sidenote, I am not completely ignorant about such things, but the CCNA on my business card makes a statement that sometimes makes me a bit nervous waiting for the questions I may or may not be able to answer. The point of the painfully long diatribe is know your ****. Plain and simple.

Also, I can't see much reason to take and pass a MCSE test that is being retired. (TCP/IP) Take one that will count towards your 2000 recertification process. My 2 cents.

ktwebb
CCNA, MCSE, MCP+I, A+

[ktwebb]

My point wyvrn is that the TCP/IP is being retired. I am just trying to save you a test down the road. I never said to dismiss the NT4 tests. Why take TCP/IP when you can take an elective that will count towards the 2k track. If you have passed the 3 main core tests you will need the upgrade test and one other core 2k test regardless. The upgrade path gives no option for electives. Taking a retired test seems pointless. If I were starting over, I would take two electives that would carry over and TCP/IP won't, along with a bunch of others. As it is, I took TCP/IP and IIS4 asd my electives, and I will now have to take two more electives to fufill the 2k elective requiremet. Had I taken Exchange 5.5, Proxy 2, Sql7, something like that, I would now only need the upgrade test and one 2K core tests (2) instead of the four I must take to recertify. Do what you feel comfortable with, and frankly it makes no difference to me what you do, but it is almost a waste of time to take a retiree, IMO.



[This message has been edited by ktwebb (edited 07-18-2000).]

[wyvrn]

Thanks for your post ktwebb, I see your point now.

[ctaylor]

Up here (NH-MA) a combo of UNIX/LINUX, C++, with an A+ Certrification also appears to be in demand.

IF you do choose for the Win2K MCSE, just remember that most companies will be using NT 4.0, so you had better self study that O/S too.

Just my 2 cents.....