IT Certification

[BigJ]

Originally posted by: TechBoyJK

Originally posted by: cw42
I'll have a BS in IT next year, and I was thinking of trying some certs like MCSE. I really don't feel like i've learned to do anything useful in college. Like if someone asked me to perform some kind of task in Win2k3 I prob wouldn't know unless I had some hands-on exp, which I don't get any of in the class.

i have about 12 certs, including A+, network+, MCSA, MCSE, etc.

I get paid alot more than the guys with degrees doing the same job.

And I'm sure there are people with degrees doing a similar job that get paid more than you.

The point is, when experience is lacking, people will typically value degrees over certs, especially if they're entry level certs.

 

[TechBoyJK]

Originally posted by: BigJ

Originally posted by: TechBoyJK

Originally posted by: cw42
I'll have a BS in IT next year, and I was thinking of trying some certs like MCSE. I really don't feel like i've learned to do anything useful in college. Like if someone asked me to perform some kind of task in Win2k3 I prob wouldn't know unless I had some hands-on exp, which I don't get any of in the class.

i have about 12 certs, including A+, network+, MCSA, MCSE, etc.

I get paid alot more than the guys with degrees doing the same job.

And I'm sure there are people with degrees doing a similar job that get paid more than you.

The point is, when experience is lacking, people will typically value degrees over certs, especially if they're entry level certs.

from someone who has employed people before I will make the points for both

Degree: it tells me someone has taken all around classes like pyschology, math, history, all things that bring wisdom and can pretty much make a person wiser. Going through a four year college can be the experience needed. But if the job requires proficiency in Windows 2003 clusters, your computer science degree isnt much immediate help unless I am ready and have the time to train you.

Certifications: It tells me someone is reasonably proficient at a specific topic. If someone has no experience and a bunch of certs, I have no idea how they will react in a real world situation. Single sitting exams are not the same as full length semester classes. But someone with good experience in their field can seem very valuable if they have the certifications to back up their experience. If the job requires proficiency in Windows 2003 clusters and you have your MCSE 2003 and your elective was HA Clustering, well, that really helps.

The best candidate is someone with both. At my job, the work is most dependent on technical knowledge, so they seem to value certs and experience more than degrees.

 

[chusteczka]

Originally posted by: TechBoyJK
i have about 12 certs, including A+, network+, MCSA, MCSE, etc.

May you please list them to provide an example?
What order did you achieve them in?

Thank you.

 

[TechBoyJK]

Originally posted by: chusteczka

Originally posted by: TechBoyJK
i have about 12 certs, including A+, network+, MCSA, MCSE, etc.

May you please list them to provide an example?
What order did you achieve them in?

Thank you.

Inet+
Network+
Server+
A+
CIW-A
Security+
MCP 2000 Professional
MCP 2000 Server
MCP 2000 Network Management
MCSA 2000
MCP 2000 Active Directory
MCP 2000 Network Infrastructure
MCP 2000 Highly Available Websites
MCSE 2000
MCP 2000 SQL Admin

Im taking SQL Design next week, which when passed will also combo with SQL admin for the bigger MCDBA. The following weeks Im wanting to knock out 292 (mcsa2003 upgrade) and 296 (mcse2003 upgrade). then im going for CCNA, then oracle. between those im going to try to cram in some more CIW exams. I love having 4 days off...

 

[Gunslinger08]

Certs can be helpful. I just recently got my MCAD/MCSD .NET certs. I had my CCNA in high school (expired now) because we had a 2 year networking program that prepared us for it. I'm working on MCSE and then MCDBA next. Much later in your career, if you want to be a manager, look into getting your PMP cert from PMI. You have to be a manager for about 4 years before you can get it.

 

[chusteczka]

Originally posted by: TechBoyJK

Originally posted by: chusteczka

Originally posted by: TechBoyJK
i have about 12 certs, including A+, network+, MCSA, MCSE, etc.

May you please list them to provide an example?
What order did you achieve them in?
Thank you.

...[nice long list]...

That is very nice and the information is useful. Thank you for replying. I was afraid you would not consider my request to be serious.

 

[TechBoyJK]

Originally posted by: joshsquall
Certs can be helpful. I just recently got my MCAD/MCSD .NET certs. I had my CCNA in high school (expired now) because we had a 2 year networking program that prepared us for it. I'm working on MCSE and then MCDBA next. Much later in your career, if you want to be a manager, look into getting your PMP cert from PMI. You have to be a manager for about 4 years before you can get it.

Yes, I just ordered the lecture CD's for the PMP from PMI. I dont have the managment experience to qualify, but I still want to learn the material.