How hard are MCSE, CCNA, A+, etc certifications and were they worth it?

MaxDSP

Lifer
May 15, 2001
10,056
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I currently going for a bachelor's in Telecomm. Mgmt and looking at my options. Im gonna graduate next February if everything goes according to plans but would some of these certs be worth taking?
 

fastcobra

Senior member
Oct 12, 1999
683
0
0
Get your BA
learn to BS real good,
you will not need any certs......:p



Although, if you want to be part of the technical aspect, it will not hurt anything to get your certs, sometimes it helps, but there is NO substitute for experience.
If you are getting a BA, forget A+, it means nothing. MCSE is fizzling out, Cisco is very attractive right now.
 

Aves

Lifer
Feb 7, 2001
12,232
30
101
One thing you have to remember is that MCSE, A+ & CCxx certs all deal with something totally different.

A+ is basically entry level PC hardware and software.
MCSE deals specifically with supporting MS Operating systems
Cisco Certs deal with various aspects of networking.

Any extra thing you do to get an edge can't hurt but make sure that if you get a cert that it's somewhat related to what you'll be doing.
In telecom I'd say the CCNA and possibly CCNP will help out because it gives you an understanding of what's going on in the end user networks.
Right now I work for a telecom company supporting Frame Relay & ATM but I am working on a BS in Comp Sci and my CCNA did help me because the company was looking for people with networking experience.
 

MaxDSP

Lifer
May 15, 2001
10,056
0
71
well, my biggest worry is that the telecomm industry is in a deep rut rite now and I wont be able to find a good job when I graduate. I just want to have an advatage over others as far as education, and I see the certs a nice compliment to my future BA
 

certifyexpress

Senior member
May 30, 2000
211
0
0


<< One thing you have to remember is that MCSE, A+ & CCxx certs all deal with something totally different.

A+ is basically entry level PC hardware and software.
MCSE deals specifically with supporting MS Operating systems
Cisco Certs deal with various aspects of networking.

Any extra thing you do to get an edge can't hurt but make sure that if you get a cert that it's somewhat related to what you'll be doing.
In telecom I'd say the CCNA and possibly CCNP will help out because it gives you an understanding of what's going on in the end user networks.
Right now I work for a telecom company supporting Frame Relay & ATM but I am working on a BS in Comp Sci and my CCNA did help me because the company was looking for people with networking experience.
>>



I agree with aves2k. But finish your degree first the cert can wait.
 

Aves

Lifer
Feb 7, 2001
12,232
30
101
<< But finish your degree first the cert can wait. >>

I'd say that if you can manage to work on both at the same time go for it but definetely make sure you finish the BS and give it priority.
 

burnedout

Diamond Member
Oct 12, 1999
6,249
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The degree is more important in my opinion.

I've been scouting instructor positions at community colleges, junior colleges and business colleges around the country. For many of the positions in the IT field, a bachelors degree and 2-3 years of experience is required for adjunct instructors. While $1600-$2100 per semester for teaching a three hour class may not seem like much; $400-$500 per month for about 9 hours (5 hrs prep/assignments + 3 hrs classroom) part-time work per week plus the opportunity to "people network" makes the degree worth it. If you teach two classes, double that, and the workload.

A degree opens doors the certs cannot. Certs are nice and I have a few. With both plus some experience, one can only strengthen their individual positions.

Experience remains the key. Don't be afraid to start "small" after graduation so long as it is in a related position.