Are these qualifications worth going for? Please help!

[pilgrim72]

Hi there everyone.

This question doesnt exactly fit in with this thread section, but it's the closest I can find, so:

I have the chance of going for some computer training, and have been offered a route of Comp TIA A+ certified technican, proceeding directly onto Microsoft Certified Desktop Support Technician (MCDST), immediately followed by Microsoft Certified Systems Administrator (MCSA) and then Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer (MCSE).

These are to run concurrently and although they arent cheap, if they would help a change of career I would be willing to embark.

I understand it's not all about pieces of paper, and I know some stuff already, just no where near enough.

Basically my question is are the above worth it, or is tehre a better way of going about working in a computer engineer support role? I would ideally like to work somewhere with Networking Support responsibilities, and the avenues with telecoms that this might open up.

Does anyone have any insight into any of this, or any gems of wisdom they would be willing to impart? You would indeed have my gratitude for ever!

Cheers everyone.

[Andrew Moore]

That's exactly the route I have taken and as such am half way through the mcdst part. Will prove very useful so I have been told.

Andy

[cjmUK]

Unfortunately, they will definitely be useful!

I hate the over-reliance on vendor-certification; it merely indicates that you have learnt to pass the vendor exams. I'm a Chartered Engineer yet agencies are more interested in finding out if I am an MCSD or similar.

And some employers will hold these vendor-certifications as equal to conventional qualifications (Degree, HND, etc) (and often superior to actual work experience), which is a joke when you consider the nature of their respective content.

However, there is absolutely no doubt that they are well marketed and well recognised in the industry, so you *will* get benefit from them.

I would warn against doing them in isolation - you need to be *doing* (in your day job) what your are studying. IMHO it's best to have done the work in question before attempting to gain certification. Back to back courses mean you won't have the real-world knowledge you need - the courses don't teach the broader theory, only how to operation a particular company's tools. For example, if you are interested in networking, you are not going to learn about the ISO 7-layer model or TCP/IP protocols - you'll simply learn how to set up a microsoft server network in sterile conditions.

So... do the courses, but leave gaps in between to put theory into practice, and do some studying on the underlying theory and on competitors products.

[Perhaps you could convince whoever is paying for this to fund a HND or even a degree? Both would be more useful in the longer term]

[PeteA]

I would warn against doing them in isolation

What a lot of people seem to be doing is studying the content in a weekend using TestKing and then passing the exam. Problem is, then they're a bit screwed because they don't have any experience so when they actually get to the job, they're pretty much useless.

I would suggest if you cant work and learn then setup the machines and go through all the tutorials the books have, so you know exactly how to do.

TestKing is good, it pretty much gives you the questions, however on it's own it's not enough.

[cjmUK]

What a lot of people seem to be doing is studying the content in a weekend using TestKing and then passing the exam. Problem is, then they're a bit screwed because they don't have any experience so when they actually get to the job, they're pretty much useless.

Ah... but nevertheless, they do get the job. So while the candidate with experience is still applying for jobs, our virginal MCxx candidate is getting paid and learning on the job.

It's not they way it should be, but it's the way it often is.

[pilgrim72]

Well, the only reason I looked for these kind of courses, is because it was very difficult to get vocational experience of this kind of work with no paperwork to 'prove' that I would be able to at least understand a portion of, and be able to learn, the job.
I do appreciate all your input, guys, thanks very much.

[cjmUK]

The A+ should get you a junior support role... That in time will hopefully give you a grounding for further advancement, whether it be MCxx or anything else...

[Naphta]

You know where I could learn these?

It's looking very tempting.

[pilgrim72]

The A+ should get you a junior support role... That in time will hopefully give you a grounding for further advancement, whether it be MCxx or anything else...

That would be the ideal situation - use the first one to get my foot in the door, and then gain furthe experience as i train for the others

:smile:

[angela]

Seems like you're already on the right path, they're defo valuable to have