Are certifications (MCSE, A+) worth the time and energy?

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Epsil0n00

Golden Member
Aug 29, 2001
1,187
0
76
Hello all,

I currently work as a computer support person in an educational setting. I do not have any certifications such as MCSE, A+ or Cisco. The question I have is:
Is it worth the time and energy to get certifications? My work would pay for the courses/exams necessary, but would it be beneficial to spend time on? I know this is largely a question of opinion, so let me hear your personal take on this issue. :D

I am open to many things, but would most likely be interested in MCSE and other general certs... not so much with the Cisco type stuff. Specifically with the MCSE, what is the focus of it and about how long does it take (and how hard is it)?

Thanks for any perspective/advice!
Epsil0n
 
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Zugzwang152

Lifer
Oct 30, 2001
12,134
1
0
Originally posted by: bleeb
DO IT. It's always better to have something rather than nothing.
Click to expand...

it is always worth the time. the question is usually is it worth the $$$, and typically for A+, it is not. Several people here in the IT field have said that the certs are good for getting your first job out of school. As for microsoft, you need to take a series of tests to qualify as a MCSE (microsoft certified system engineer or something). MCSE is i believe the highest ranking microsoft cert given out. After you complete any single microsoft test successfully, you can call yourself an MCP, microsoft certified professional.
 
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HappyPuppy

Lifer
Apr 5, 2001
16,997
2
71
Originally posted by: Epsil0n00
Hello all,

I currently work as a computer support person in an educational setting. I do not have any certifications such as MCSE, A+ or Cisco. The question I have is:
Is it worth the time and energy to get certifications? My work would pay for the courses/exams necessary, but would it be beneficial to spend time on? I know this is largely a question of opinion, so let me hear your personal take on this issue. :D

I am open to many things, but would most likely be interested in MCSE and other general certs... not so much with the Cisco type stuff. Specifically with the MCSE, what is the focus of it and about how long does it take (and how hard is it)?

Thanks for any perspective/advice!
Epsil0n
Click to expand...



Jesus, you lazy fvck! If your employer is going to foot the bill then go for it. You will learn something that may help you in your present job and future jobs.

What a fvcking stupid question.
 
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wiredspider

Diamond Member
Jun 3, 2001
5,239
0
0
I'm just about to finish HS and have A+, Network+, MCSA 2000 & 2003, MCSE 2000, and I'm trying to work on MCDBA or MCSE 2003. I think only A+ and Network+ are really worth the time investments...
 
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vegetation

Diamond Member
Feb 21, 2001
4,270
2
0
A+ worth the money, are you kidding me? You're paying for $100 to take the test and a prep book is about $40, plus free online reference materials to supplement. If you really need more hand-holding than that in A+ then sorry, you're really in the wrong field.
 
StinkyPinky

StinkyPinky

Diamond Member
Jul 6, 2002
6,956
1,268
126
Certs are still a major selling point in the IT market. People put down MCSE but it will help you get a job in my experience, and it can make you get higher wages. A+ is a low-level cert, but it wont hurt to get it.

If you have the money to get MCSE, then go for it. Or you could go for MCSA, which is basically MCSE minus the electives.
 
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bmacd

Lifer
Jan 15, 2001
10,869
1
0
i got a+ cert'd when i was 16 i think. The cert is a waste of time. It's regarded as a joke in the IT world as any kid can get one. If you want a cert worth pursuing, start studying for the MCSE.

-=bmacd=-
 
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bigshooter

Platinum Member
Oct 12, 1999
2,157
0
71
There are lots of ways to go on this one. If your work is paying for it, go ahead and do it. Classes are the biggest waste of time you could ever hope for though, so only go if you really want the week off of work. The tests are pretty lame too, if you are good at memorization you can pass it. I have an MCSA and also took the Implementing and Administering Exchange 2k test only because my last job paid for most of the tests. I just got bored after a while, but I'll probably take a last test to get the MCSE (there's seven tests). There is still nothing better than experience though, an MCSE won't teach you jack sh!t about running a network. It will give you a good foundation though. We recently hired a guy that is an MCSE and was a trainer for one of those places like New Horizons or something. He's not very good, and he had all kinds of certs.

To the kid that's about to graduate HS and has all those certs. That's cool that you are getting certified in everything under the sun, but I hope you either have an entry level pc tech job now, or some kind of insane test network at home. You're probably one of those people like me that everyone hates because we read a book then pass the tests, but make sure you get plenty of experience. Having those certs will help you get a job when you graduate, but make sure you don't act cocky in a job interview. You most likely don't know d!ck (this is not meant as a put down). You will find out that the stuff in MCSE/A/DBA certs won't help you in a real world because those center on the MS product only. It doesn't help you fix a problem caused by someone replacing a router in a noc and forgetting to put all the correct routes in. When all of a sudden people start getting pissed because email can't get from company to company and you have to figure wth just happened it's a ton of fun. My advice is to get a comp sci/EE degree and be a developer of some sort. Getting into the DB thing would be good too, but make sure to learn something other than MS SQL, like Oracle or even Sybase too. It will make you more marketable.
 
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Epsil0n00

Golden Member
Aug 29, 2001
1,187
0
76
Originally posted by: HappyPuppy

Jesus, you lazy fvck!
What a fvcking stupid question.
Click to expand...

Thanks for your valued opinion.

To everyone else, thanks for the info. I think that I will do some more research and figure out a couple certs to throw under my belt. Fortunately, I have a fair amount of 'real-world' experience and have worked in jobs where I have a wide variety of responsibilities, so certs at this point would just be padding. But, I do like the idea of a possible pay increase--if not at this job then possibly at future jobs.

Thanks!
epsil0n

 
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