Computer Geeks: Getting a tech job without being certified

[Remedy]

<< The only thing that you might get caught up on are those stupid laser printer questions >>



I heard that one before LMAO!

 

[Zero]

College is sooo important! It's not important because of all the info they feed you. In fact, at least your first two years of college is stuff you mostly already know. College teaches you(most people) how to balance tasks at hand. In college you set goals, you met goals, you're given deadlines, you met deadlines, etc. Most employers understand this and almost most definately hire someone with a college degree over someone that didn't have one(assuming everything else equal). I'm more proud of my college degree than my MCSE. I found that it was more difficult earning my college degree than my MCSE. Also, what if you were considered as the head of your IT department at your organization? You will need somed sort of management skills, time management skills, human resource skills, etc. You can learn a lot of this in college. You will definately not learn any of this when earning an IT cert. Remedy, I realize you are looking short term, but you might want to look long term. Good Luck!

A college degree is like fault tolerance, it give you something to fall back on.

Zero

 

[jagr10]

DO you have to take an A+ or MCSE course to write the exam or can you learn yourself and go write it somewhere? Those courses ar expensive.

 

[tim0thy]

<< Also, for those concerned about A+ degrees, IMHO those really only get your another $.50 an hour doing tech work for Best Buy or Comp USA. Any &quot;real&quot; IT job would laugh at an A+ cert. >>



There is some SERIOUS truth to that comment!

 

[tim0thy]

<< DO you have to take an A+ or MCSE course to write the exam or can you learn yourself and go write it somewhere? Those courses ar expensive. >>



jagr10,

You can just learn it on your own and write the test at an ATEC. (Authorized Testing and Education Center?)

 

[tim0thy]

<< A college degree is like fault tolerance, it give you something to fall back on. >>



Plus, I think college is also good because you make contacts with your professors. I can't stress this enough, but network network network (with people!). Don't be afraid to talk to your professors and ask them for help along the way. They are invaluable and offer words of wisdom.

 

[Rob G.]

I'm now in a situation where I've been working in IT for 12 years, nearly all of the that time in mainframe operations (shift work) and first level support (last two years), with a bit of Unix and my own PC building at home thrown in. I'm 31.

I'm not in a position, either financially or time-wise to take a full-on degree (I wouldn't get within a million miles of passing the math anyway), so what do I do? I have my old school and college qualifications (UK, btw) but I know realistically that it's time to start getting a few recognised certificates under my belt.

Whether this will really help me in the real world is open to argument (and I doubt it would make any difference in my current position), but I just feel I SHOULD be doing something, even if it's just for my own sanity!

I'd like to take the A+ exams - probably wouldn't need much in the way of preparation except for network topics which I really am very vague on - maybe even application based tests like the MOUS Master level certification. These exams aren't particularly expensive or hard but I feel it would get me back into the mood for proper study, maybe to veer off in the direction of MCSD.

I see people here saying that A+ means nothing - but what alternative is there without going in for much longer, more expensive and more specialised courses? I've been building PCs for just over a year and would just like to get some kind of industry recognised qualification for it. Now, I appreciate that A+ isn't going to land me a job but from what I can see it shows that you have a reasonable appreciation for how PCs are put together and operate. I honestly cannot see any employer - potential or otherwise - 'laughing' at someone who goes through the process of taking the exams (paid for with their own money too). I'm not talking about applying to be the head-honcho as Cisco obviously, but that's not the area I'm involved with anyway. Heck - do it - why on earth not? I just see it as another potential avenue opening up.

 

[BChico]

Well since you guys got alls the cash, why dont you loan me some, lol... I just finished the cisco academy and PASSED MY CCNA, YIPPEE, i also have my A+(lol) and my network+(lol), i am 16 need a summer job, where should i look and how much can i get, i am broke, and need to pay my mom back for the 4 grand i just spent on building my new comp!!!

 

[tim0thy]

A+ exam is &quot;easy&quot; from what I've heard and it's a stepping stone for more exams to come. I think the most important thing is asking yourself, &quot;what do you want to do?&quot; and go about it. You're right, paying for exams with your own money sucks. I paid $1000 for the testing services and probably another $1000 for the books itself, but it was definitely worth it. The next job I get will surely land me a kickass salery.

Certifications such as MCSE will help people get their foot in the door. Their competency shows once they are being tested with the interview questions.

FYI, I'm MCSE+I certified for the NT4 track. Going for others currently.

 

[tim0thy]

<< Well since you guys got alls the cash, why dont you loan me some, lol... I just finished the cisco academy and PASSED MY CCNA, YIPPEE, i also have my A+(lol) and my network+(lol), i am 16 need a summer job, where should i look and how much can i get, i am broke, and need to pay my mom back for the 4 grand i just spent on building my new comp!!! >>



Dude! You should be able to get yourself in for a junior level network admin, if the company trusts your age (maturity level). I'm not busting on your age, but it is a factor.

Congrats on you CCNA. I'm going for that soon.

 

[BChico]

I think i am pretty mature, lol, (minus all the comp games i spend playing) oh yeah i am going to the PA governors school for info tech (networking) this summer too, that should look good for college, but how much can i make with a job like that 12 buck an hour?

 

[tim0thy]

where do you live? i know in nyc, they pay more than that for sure!

 

[BChico]

I live in good ol PA hick country, lol, in broadband you know where actually, really though i live between allentown and reading, the Lehigh Valley.

 

[jagr10]

BTW, do these certifications expire after so many years (ie. A+, MCSE, Cisco)? or is it good for life? I mean, can I refer to my A+ certification 6 years from now or will I have to retake the exam every 5 years?

 

[tim0thy]

jagr, not sure about the comptia exams, but you're better off checking their website.

i know for the mcse, it does retire and cisco as well. even the ccie you have to renew ever 2 years.

 

[Rob G.]

You're A+ certified for life and need no re-takes.

The new A+ exams seem to incorporate more NT topics and now also include Windows 2000.

 

[kingz]

I want to become a computer engineer. Is there any certs besides A+ that I could take/read up on now so I could get a head start? Im a senior in high school, and will be trying to get into the UC system (Berkeley, LA, SD) with my intended major being Computer Science &amp; Engineering

James

 

[Mears]

Sorry for bringing this post back to life...probably won't even get a response For all of you guys that went the CSE route, do you think that employers were concerned with your GPA a lot, just a little, or not at all?

 

[tim0thy]

A+ Certified for life. Damn, I'm never going to take that test. There's going to be 2 million other people who passed that as well.

As far as the CSE route (or any)... this is my opinion on GPA. GPAs seem to count for the first job by getting you a higher base salery (and you can work your way up higher quicker). Anything above a 3.2 is nice. Anything lower, I'm not saying it doesn't matter, but just graduate.