Computer related certifications
 

So looking around at some job positions, some of the requirements, and/or qualifications are computer certs of various kinds.

I would also imagine that they can and do help on resumes and interviews whether they are requested or not.

Skimming through some of what MS offers, they are only $150. Though I am not sure how good these are for and how often they should be updated.

Im considering taking a handful, but wow, where should I start? There are just so many, even outside of just MS certs.

Looking at IT/IS and not sure where to start?

Im just clueless when it comes to certs, how important they are, what would be best to get into.


Should I get some related to what I am already doing?
I do desktop support, so do anything related to the desktops, and I have messed around with servers a little bit.
Maybe get some certs in the applications and hardware that are used but the server and networking admins? I am getting my feet in the door to helping out the server/network admins but as it is currently all the IT departments in our area are heavily burdened and under staffed.

You should check out the University of Phoenix.

Microsoft does affordable certifications because it helps them sell software having a lot of MS certified people. That doesn't have to be a bad thing and certainly looks good on a CV.


A person that is both able to do server as well as client related task may be very valuable for small IT departments. Find out if the understaffing is because they don't want to pay more or have more employees or because of the lack of people in your area (my guess is the first).


An important read for people working in your field:

http://www.cringely.com/tag/ibm/

If you are serious about getting certs, I found this place to be a great resource.
http://www.mcmcse.com/

They have excellent study guides and practice tests for most certifications you may like to get.

Hells yeah, thanks for that link.

I am very serious in wanting to get some. Maybe even help me get on long term here at work. I will ask at work and see what I should maybe see about getting.

If you're not sure which ones to pursue, I'd suggest contacting some of the recruitment agencies in your area - they should have a good idea what their clients are looking for in the various aspects of the industry and which ones you should be working through.

The only I.T certifications that are generally worth much (IMHO) are Cisco networking (various ones) and the more advanced windows server ones.

The rest might have some slight bearing on you getting a niche job, but generally I.T managers want to see that you know what you are doing rather than you have heard how to do it.

As an example: A previous employer sent me on a Microsoft Sharepoint Server course. It cost them about $2,000 and is worth precisely *deep breath* **** all.

I'm currently studying for a CCNA exam. I'm pretty much a beginner in the networking field and currently I'm just sticking with the study guide book I have, I'll try it with that and if I fail I'll probably pay for some courses..although I'm doing rather well with the Cisco way of thinking, for nowhttp://www.discussworldissues.com/fo...ies/smile1.gif

I'd recommend getting into Cisco stuff to anyone looking for certificates that really matter..it payed off well for a few of my friends.

CCNA is worthwhile. I don't have it, but I have A+ and N+.

CCNA > CCNP and MCSE etc.... all expensive but all very worth while.

You're better off learning it through the books. Back in 2000 my then housemate locked himself in his room for six months to prepare for the exams. Accelerated learning courses are expensive and only teach you to pass the exam.

I'd recommend going for CCNA/CCNP (remember CCNA is worth f*** all today) and MCSA/MCSE certifications.
If you'd like something that is generally accepted, and from someone other than the proprietary company's.
Then you should go for some CompTIA certifications, mainly A+ (mandatory), Server+ and Network+.

I took mine back in 2000 when I was in high school. I don't recall it being very hard. I passed with something around an 86%.

Transcender was the test stuff I used to study.

To be honest, I can't even remember which cisco exams he was taking. We worked at BskyB at the time and he was already a senior networking engineer at the time...don't know if that gives any clues?

CCNP I would hope then. CCNA is like the noobs beginner exam. It's not bad, but it wasn't hard, and it never got me anything. In fact, it once got me turned down for a really nice job. They wanted someone exactly like me but without that kind of training because they wanted someone they could teach to do things their way. I just gave them a weird look and left. When non-IT people want things done their way it's usually a bad thing.