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Help, need some IT certification advice

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Arkitech

Diamond Member
I'm looking to get my skills a bit more current for the IT market, I've been working as a Unix support analyst for the past 3 years until I got laid off back in February. Before that I worked about 3-4 years on designing, testing and building desktop images. I'm now interested in doing things involving more Microsoft products as well some general networking, I also would like to get a bit more versed in Linux since it's growing in popularity. I've been in IT for the past 13 years, but it's been awhile since I've worked
in some areas such as networking and I've done 0 support on Vista and Linux.

Can someone give me some advice on a certification path? I'm interested in trying to update my skills for a more universal focus than specializing in one particular area. I'd prefer to work for a small office or a school than to get employed in another big IT shop again. So for that reason I'd like to have a bit of knowledge and training in a wide spectrum of skills. Thanks for any advice.
 
Just thought of another question, how long do you guys think that Server 2000 and XP will be supported in the market? Should I spend anytime studying for certs in those products or would be I best suited going for the more recent ones? Or should I try to look into studying up on all of them (server 2000/2008, XP/Vista, etc..)?
 
Hmm are you certified in Linux? I see quite a few ads for Linux people. I would certify in that first. Some people may disagree, but the demand for MCSE 2003 is pretty high. Any of the microsoft certs should keep a person with work experience working. I live in the NJ/Philly area and there are very very few jobs that don't require you be Microsoft certfied. Server 2008 is truly slick. I would learn that PowerShell 😉. I wouldn't waste my time with learning 2000 Pro or Server. And one more thing study and legimately pass the tests. Dont be like the guy who came in for an interview, MCSE 2000, and he didn't even understand how to configure AD.
 
Originally posted by: classy
I live in the NJ/Philly area and there are very very few jobs that don't require you be Microsoft certfied.
Click to expand...

I know they all ask for it, but I've been working in IT in the NJ/Philly area for the last 13 years and I never had a Microsoft cert.
 
If there is anything you think I may be able to help you with, let me know. I am an MCSE 2003, Network+, and A+. Adding Cisco this fall and upgrading my 2003 MCSE to 2008 this winter. Certs have kept me employed and successful.
 
Originally posted by: 91TTZ
Originally posted by: classy
I live in the NJ/Philly area and there are very very few jobs that don't require you be Microsoft certfied.
Click to expand...

I know they all ask for it, but I've been working in IT in the NJ/Philly area for the last 13 years and I never had a Microsoft cert.
Click to expand...

Thats because you have been working for 13 years. You can't even get an interview and many add you have to be able to get the cert within 6 months. Right now I work in Center City.
 
Originally posted by: classy
Originally posted by: 91TTZ
Originally posted by: classy
I live in the NJ/Philly area and there are very very few jobs that don't require you be Microsoft certfied.
Click to expand...

I know they all ask for it, but I've been working in IT in the NJ/Philly area for the last 13 years and I never had a Microsoft cert.
Click to expand...

Thats because you have been working for 13 years. You can't even get an interview and many add you have to be able to get the cert within 6 months. Right now I work in Center City.
Click to expand...

I think the hardest part is transitioning from one job duty to another. I noticed that once I worked a few jobs in one discipline I'd get typecast in that role and I'd only get interest in that role. Getting certs may help with that. I do have my CCNA but I never had a job where I got to use that.
 
Originally posted by: 91TTZ
Originally posted by: classy
Originally posted by: 91TTZ
Originally posted by: classy
I live in the NJ/Philly area and there are very very few jobs that don't require you be Microsoft certfied.
Click to expand...

I know they all ask for it, but I've been working in IT in the NJ/Philly area for the last 13 years and I never had a Microsoft cert.
Click to expand...

Thats because you have been working for 13 years. You can't even get an interview and many add you have to be able to get the cert within 6 months. Right now I work in Center City.
Click to expand...

I think the hardest part is transitioning from one job duty to another. I noticed that once I worked a few jobs in one discipline I'd get typecast in that role and I'd only get interest in that role. Getting certs may help with that. I do have my CCNA but I never had a job where I got to use that.
Click to expand...

Thats true. I don't know if certs can help a person transition. I also don't suggest spending a lot of money either. Some of these so called "computer schools" are charging folks college like tuition. Most community colleges have excellent computer tracks though.
 
Originally posted by: Arkitech
Just thought of another question, how long do you guys think that Server 2000 and XP will be supported in the market? Should I spend anytime studying for certs in those products or would be I best suited going for the more recent ones? Or should I try to look into studying up on all of them (server 2000/2008, XP/Vista, etc..)?
Click to expand...

Windows xp will be around for a while, so get familiar with it, but I would also get used to Windows 7, as most corps are probably going to just skip the Vista entirely. I haven't worked with a Windows 2k box for a while now, maybe two years. For the most part, 2k3 is the main stay right now, and many of the sites that I have worked with have started moveing over to Server 2008, maybe 20% of the farm, so I would do your official studies in those areas, but get as familiar as you can with the current two.

I also agree that Server 2008 is a good OS. I would also try to get familiar with exchange 2007, spam and virus protection concepts, networking. Scripting is a very handy thing if you want to get to network support. Between bat files or VB scripts and they have been crucial to my jobs and easing my life. And Linux is a good thing, I just thrown a couple of clients who are LInux and Mac guys, and I have nearly zero admin/support or even user experience. so I am in the same bucket, just in reverse as you.
 
Originally posted by: classy
Hmm are you certified in Linux? I see quite a few ads for Linux people. I would certify in that first. Some people may disagree, but the demand for MCSE 2003 is pretty high. Any of the microsoft certs should keep a person with work experience working. I live in the NJ/Philly area and there are very very few jobs that don't require you be Microsoft certfied. Server 2008 is truly slick. I would learn that PowerShell 😉. I wouldn't waste my time with learning 2000 Pro or Server. And one more thing study and legimately pass the tests. Dont be like the guy who came in for an interview, MCSE 2000, and he didn't even understand how to configure AD.
Click to expand...

No not yet, but I'm thinking of going for the CompTIA Linux+ cert, I know its not a top tier certification but hopefully it will help.
 
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