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[qwerty]

Hello,

I am in the process of doing some IT training and need some advice.

I am going to do the following :

A+
N+
MCDST
MCSA
MCSE

In that order.

Would that be the logical way to do it and more importantly would i get a decent job with those qualifications?

I do have lots of experience in building,softwaring, repairing computers but not in networking.

Cheers

Qwerty

[AndersH]

Are you working in IT at the moment or is this to get you in? In my experience, employers are a bit dismissive of the higher qualifications without experience (i.e. MCSE) I did a CCNA a few years ago and no one wanted to know employment wise until I'd got more experience in networking and I've only just got a proper Cisco job.
If you're already in IT I'd suggest skipping the MCDST and the A+...

[qwerty]

Hi,

Im not in I.T at the moment but have 5yrs+ experience in working in a computer business (selling, building, repairing, softwaring etc)

Cheers

[gwa]

I'd do the MCSE only, then the money I'd have spent on the other courses I'd use to subsidise a low paid job that would give me the experience everyone calls for. Then, after 6-12 months bu$$er off and get a better job.  :question

[AndersH]

I agree, the MCSE is an MCSA with 3 extra exams anyway. N+ and A+ I think are useful things to know but the qualification itself doesn't seem to be that useful these days.

[tunnie]

qualifications are not worth the paper the are written / typed on without experiance.

They generally only get you through the paper sift, i spent 4 years at uni. My degree got me through the paper sift, my final year project got me the job.

[Lizzie_Zoom]

My New CLAIT and ACCESS qualifications was enough for me with computers .

However I may go for the ECDL whilst at Uni, but anything more I doubt that I will ever need! 8-) 8-) 8-)

So all the best for anyone who really goes for the big qualifications in the computer world.......you have my admiration!!

[TheBoy]

Hmmm...

None of those qualifications will get to a 'decent job', but decent well known vendor qualifications - MCSE (Microsft), CCNA (Cisco), CCA (Citrix) etc will help in paper sift part.

In my previous role, when I used to run a small team, I had to recruit people (after HR had done the paper sift). Personally, I paid absolutely no attention to the qualifications, but asked technical questions, and was interested in experience.

To be honest, anyone can pass MCSE or CCA (and CCNA doesn't look too hard, but as I've never taken the actual exam won't comment).


I know of many people who got their MCSE, hoping to earn £40k+, stuck in 'helpdesk' type £16k roles. So the qualifications are not a road to riches.  Admittedly most of them are not that good technically, but I know of some really talented people unable to get the better paid jobs due to lack of proven server experience.

Saying that, we had a guy on a trial who had done years at PC World. His (lack of) ability/understanding confirmed what we always thought about the people PC World type places employ


Looking at the qualifications you have specified, I am not sure what sort of job you are ultimately aiming for.


I've done a fair few years in midrange server management.  There are too many people for too few jobs, and unless you really stand out, and are exceptional, you probably will not achieve your goal.  A great deal of luck will be needed along the way to get the opportunities to be able to get proven experience.


I do not mean to sound negative, but you need to be exceptional, and lucky, to get on in the industry now.

[cem_devecioglu]

Hmmm...

None of those qualifications will get to a 'decent job', but decent well known vendor qualifications - MCSE (Microsft), CCNA (Cisco), CCA (Citrix) etc will help in paper sift part.

In my previous role, when I used to run a small team, I had to recruit people (after HR had done the paper sift). Personally, I paid absolutely no attention to the qualifications, but asked technical questions, and was interested in experience.

To be honest, anyone can pass MCSE or CCA (and CCNA doesn't look too hard, but as I've never taken the actual exam won't comment).


I know of many people who got their MCSE, hoping to earn £40k+, stuck in 'helpdesk' type £16k roles. So the qualifications are not a road to riches.  Admittedly most of them are not that good technically, but I know of some really talented people unable to get the better paid jobs due to lack of proven server experience.

Saying that, we had a guy on a trial who had done years at PC World. His (lack of) ability/understanding confirmed what we always thought about the people PC World type places employ


Looking at the qualifications you have specified, I am not sure what sort of job you are ultimately aiming for.


I've done a fair few years in midrange server management.  There are too many people for too few jobs, and unless you really stand out, and are exceptional, you probably will not achieve your goal.  A great deal of luck will be needed along the way to get the opportunities to be able to get proven experience.


I do not mean to sound negative, but you need to be exceptional, and lucky, to get on in the industry now.

All agreed..and you tell the truth..one person really must be specialised in one subject and in depth..All those areas are too wide to be successful..And for a job, real experience required..

No way to jump the stairs..one by one..

[qwerty]

Hmmm...

None of those qualifications will get to a 'decent job', but decent well known vendor qualifications - MCSE (Microsft), CCNA (Cisco), CCA (Citrix) etc will help in paper sift part.

In my previous role, when I used to run a small team, I had to recruit people (after HR had done the paper sift). Personally, I paid absolutely no attention to the qualifications, but asked technical questions, and was interested in experience.

To be honest, anyone can pass MCSE or CCA (and CCNA doesn't look too hard, but as I've never taken the actual exam won't comment).


I know of many people who got their MCSE, hoping to earn £40k+, stuck in 'helpdesk' type £16k roles. So the qualifications are not a road to riches.  Admittedly most of them are not that good technically, but I know of some really talented people unable to get the better paid jobs due to lack of proven server experience.

Saying that, we had a guy on a trial who had done years at PC World. His (lack of) ability/understanding confirmed what we always thought about the people PC World type places employ


Looking at the qualifications you have specified, I am not sure what sort of job you are ultimately aiming for.


I've done a fair few years in midrange server management.  There are too many people for too few jobs, and unless you really stand out, and are exceptional, you probably will not achieve your goal.  A great deal of luck will be needed along the way to get the opportunities to be able to get proven experience.


I do not mean to sound negative, but you need to be exceptional, and lucky, to get on in the industry now.

I didnt realise the industry was that cut throat.

Ultimately i would like to get into server management.

I am looking at spending quite a bit of money on training and doing without luxuries to succeed so cant afford for it not to work out.

Im a bit disheartened now and dont really know what to do for the best.

Qwerty

[BigAl]

for what its worth...
when I have been recruited for a new role, people have always been surprised that I am 'ronseal CV' and have quickly been promoted out of the role I applied for.

Caveat:- have not changed employer for 11 years now.
              Previous employers were not IT centric.

[TheBoy]

Hmmm...

None of those qualifications will get to a 'decent job', but decent well known vendor qualifications - MCSE (Microsft), CCNA (Cisco), CCA (Citrix) etc will help in paper sift part.

In my previous role, when I used to run a small team, I had to recruit people (after HR had done the paper sift). Personally, I paid absolutely no attention to the qualifications, but asked technical questions, and was interested in experience.

To be honest, anyone can pass MCSE or CCA (and CCNA doesn't look too hard, but as I've never taken the actual exam won't comment).


I know of many people who got their MCSE, hoping to earn £40k+, stuck in 'helpdesk' type £16k roles. So the qualifications are not a road to riches.  Admittedly most of them are not that good technically, but I know of some really talented people unable to get the better paid jobs due to lack of proven server experience.

Saying that, we had a guy on a trial who had done years at PC World. His (lack of) ability/understanding confirmed what we always thought about the people PC World type places employ


Looking at the qualifications you have specified, I am not sure what sort of job you are ultimately aiming for.


I've done a fair few years in midrange server management.  There are too many people for too few jobs, and unless you really stand out, and are exceptional, you probably will not achieve your goal.  A great deal of luck will be needed along the way to get the opportunities to be able to get proven experience.


I do not mean to sound negative, but you need to be exceptional, and lucky, to get on in the industry now.

I didnt realise the industry was that cut throat.

Ultimately i would like to get into server management.

I am looking at spending quite a bit of money on training and doing without luxuries to succeed so cant afford for it not to work out.

Im a bit disheartened now and dont really know what to do for the best.

Qwerty

Like many technology careers, a lot of it is down to luck - being in the right place at the right time to say the right thing to the right people, or simply being in a company genuinely prepared to support and progress you (these are few and far between, as most of these types of companies - corporates - are now outsourcing instead).

Sorry to put a downer on it, but I see so many people who have spent £10-£20k on training getting stuck in helpdesk call centre roles.  I also have seen a fair few come and go who thought they were the bees knees with their CCNAs and MCSEs etc, but ultimately bloody useless, and soon kicked out...