i need a little info on MCSE certification

[blurredvision]

I was thinking about trying to get certified for this, and will hopefully getting a lot of information this weekend from one of my old teachers in high school. I was wondering, for those of you that have this certification, a few things. Did you train before taking the test, and about how long? Approximately how much was it, and is it fairly easy to get some kind of student loan or something for this? And after you took the test and passed, were the jobs there for you to make better money than before?? I'm just afriad if I take this test, I will not be able to find a job to take advantage of it. I'm only 19 years old, hopefully this will be a good thing.

Thanks guys.

 

[aircooled]

If you are going to go to a training facility, shop around and try to talk to people that have actually gone there and completed there certification (or at least speak to some folks that are presently attending and have passed a few tests).

Some training facilities will have information about financial assistance. I was able to get a personal loan through my credit union for the classes.

They can be expensive, anywhere form 6 to 10 grand or more depending on where you go, and if the shop is Microsoft Certified or not. Many non-certified facilities are still VERY good and sometimes better than the bigger places.

I completed my MCSE 4.0 by going to a non-certified place. I did it at one month per test pace. For example: I would take the class for a particular test (usually about 1 week) then spend a couple or three weeks studying and preparing for the exam, then take the exam.

I was able to finish in 7 months (since I did Net+ first just for kicks).
I'm glad I got the certification, it has helped me career wise. On the other hand, you will learn more by experience and actually working in the field. At your age I would try to get some kind of lower end tech job just for experience sake, then top it off with your MCSE and use the combo to seek out higher level positions.

 

[Jhereg]

I think aircooled covered pretty much all of it.
Just a couple things to be aware of :
1. Certification is good but it does not take the place of experience.
2. Do not believe the hype that getting certified will have places falling over themsleves to offer you 50K a year to run their network.
3. Many training places will try to BS you about #2
4. Get an intro level job , then go for certification. Why ?, your employer might actually PAY for the training.


My experience was similar to aircooled , take the course, study a couple weeks take the test.
In all cases if you do not have hands on experience, get some before taking the test !

good luck !

jhereg

 

[BigDave]

I had a similar experience getting my MCSE. One test per month. However, I did the entire thing on my own. I bought some of the books, and borrowed others. If you are an average intelligence person who can read and comprehend, it is NOT hard just to read the books and do the test.

Get yourself a couple computers, and build yourself a server and client and set everything up youreslf. WINS, DNS, RAID, TCP/IP, IIS, all the rest of it can be done yourself for not too much money.

 

[aircooled]

I have to agree with you Dave. I spent the money and took the classes (my company did reimberse me) but next time I will just purchase the study material on my own and do it myself.

The only way I would actually go to classes again is if my company pays up front (not just reimbersement).

Probably the best advantage to going to a class is your age. Many of these facilities work with local companies that are looking for entry level technicians and it might help you land a job that will build your experience.

For under $100 you could purchase the same practice test that most of the places use (mine used exam essentials), also purchase the certified study material. So, for under $200 per exam total you will everything the training facility will supply you with minus the instructor. Might be worth looking into.