Is industry certification worth it?...

[Atheus]

I graduated quite recently from a compsci degree specialising in networks and security. I'm currently doing some freelance coding stuff, but mostly websites and java games, which is not really what I want.

If I go for a good network admin job, do I need the Cisco/Microsoft certs as well as a degree? Or do they assume a compsci grad will pick up new operating systems and languages pretty quick?

 

[n0cmonkey]

It depends on the cert. Some are jokes, others are good.

 

[Woodie]

Depends on the place. Experience trumps certs/degrees.

For us, having a BS/BA comp sci means you're probably over-qualified for server admin positions...a better fit in the OS or Network "Engineering" groups.

(>35,000 ee's, >1,500 production servers)

 

[ForumMaster]

well a cisco cert always helps and is quite respected. manage to get a CCIE and u'll be able to get any job in server networking admin. i myself am doing my CCNA now.

 

[spidey07]

forum master.

if you get CCIE you won't touch servers thankfully or doing any administrative work. CCIE is for networking only.

are certs worth it? it sure doesn't hurt, just don't make them what defines your resume

 

[networkman]

There's no substitute for experience. 🙂

That said, it's still a good idea to get the certs - it might make the difference in applying for a job against someone with the same degree and experience that you have(without the cert).

A word of caution though - if you put on your resume that you have a certification, be ready to prove it. As of late, there's been a number of people claiming such on their resume, and when we go to verify it, it turns out they don't actually have it, just that they're studying for it. :frown: Those folks are idiots - great way to get dropped from consideration for a position - ANY position for that matter.