YACertificationsT

[kag]

I just received my bachelor in computer science and I'm jobless for at least a month, because I decided to stay home for the summer, and there are no IT jobs around here. So I thought that it would be a good idea to get a certification instead of doing nothing.

I did the first three semesters for the CCNA two years ago, and I did pretty well, so maybe doing the fourth one and giving a shot at the test could be a good idea. It sucks that it's only valid for two or three years though...

My friend says that he's seen a lot of jobs that required an A+ certification. Would that be a good idea? There's a "A+ Cert. for Dummies" going for $24 on Amazon.ca, I heard that book is pretty good.

How long do the MS certifications last?

 

[rh71]

that book is bare essentials and I did pass with it (the old test version)... but you should solidify your knowledge with practice exams afterward to know what to fully expect.

A+ won't necessarily get you a job over another guy, but it certainly won't lose you one. Spend the few weeks and get the A+.

 

[kag]

Thanks, I'll probably order that book this week.

I understand how the CompTIA certifications work... two exams for A+, and one for all the other ones. I understand Cisco's certification... one test for each.

But I don't understand MS... I looked on Google and I always get on those fvcking brain dumps ... but anyway if I look here, it lists a lot of exams to get MCSE certified... how does it work???

 

[rh71]

how do MS certs work ? In your link, there's 4 types of certs you can get. Each cert requires a bunch of individual tests to achieve that single cert. (However passing any of those individual exams qualifies you as an "MCP" for whatever test you took).

Click on "OFFICIAL REQUIREMENTS" for each of those 4 certs listed and you can see how to make your way up the ladder on each cert. It's quite a lot of work in comparison.

 

[DougK62]

You want to know about MCSE and you don't even think to go to Microsoft's webpage to look? Maybe you should be flipping burgers.

Basically, you have 4ish core tests to take and 3ish electives - I don't remember exactly.

 

[kag]

Originally posted by: rh71
how do MS certs work ? In your link, there's 4 types of certs you can get. Each cert requires a bunch of individual tests to achieve that single cert. (However passing any of those individual exams qualifies you as an "MCP" for whatever test you took).

Click on "OFFICIAL REQUIREMENTS" for each of those 4 certs listed and you can see how to make your way up the ladder on each cert. It's quite a lot of work in comparison.

Ok... well that's what I had understood but it seemed like a lot of work to get a certification... no time for this one. I guess CompTIA's will have to do... and/or maybe the CCNA since I'm so close to it (and have access to the last semester's curriculum).

 

[kag]

Originally posted by: DougK62
You want to know about MCSE and you don't even think to go to Microsoft's webpage to look? Maybe you should be flipping burgers.

ATOT is faster than microsoft.com 😀

 

[Ranger X]

This is for those without Windows NT or 2000 MCSE certification already. The ones with it already can just take a refresher test to upgrade it to a Win2k3 cert.

Details for Windows 2003 Server MCSE:

CORE EXAMS (6 required)
Client Operating System (1 required)
Exam 70-210: Installing, Configuring, and Administering Microsoft® Windows® 2000 Professional
Exam 70-270: Installing, Configuring, and Administering Microsoft® Windows® XP Professional

Networking System (4 required)
Exam 70-290: Managing and Maintaining a Microsoft® Windows® Server 2003 Environment
Exam 70-291: Implementing, Managing, and Maintaining a Microsoft® Windows® Server 2003 Network Infrastructure
or
Exam 70-293: Planning and Maintaining a Microsoft® Windows® Server 2003 Network Infrastructure
Exam 70-294: Planning, Implementing, and Maintaining a Microsoft® Windows® Server 2003 Active Directory Infrastructure

Design (1 required)
Exam 70-297: Designing a Microsoft® Windows® Server 2003 Active Directory Services and Network Infrastructure*
Exam 70-298: Designing Security for a Microsoft® Windows® Server 2003 Network*

 

[DT4K]

Originally posted by: rh71
A+ won't necessarily get you a job over another guy, but it certainly won't lose you one. Spend the few weeks and get the A+.

Ameesh would disagree. He said he and his colleagues at Amazon would throw away resumes with certs on them.

I personally think the value of a cert depends on where you are applying for a job and who is making the hiring or interviewing decisions(real techie vs. hr type). But in this case, I'd say an A+ is a complete waste of time and money.

Kag,
what do you want to do? If you are interested in networking, look at Cisco. If you are interested in programming, look at Java or MS certs. If you are interested in dba type jobs, look at MS or Oracle certs. The jobs your friend is seeing are probably PC repair/support type jobs. That's the only thing I can think of that A+ would help at all.