Computer Certifications/Training

[drums and skins]

Alright, well, this economy has certainly taken its toll on many students graduating college with their degrees and looking for work. I'm one of them. I've been unemployed for an entire year and basically I'm going to have a panic attack or something serious happen if I don't do something at this point. I figure I should at least try to get some of the rust out of the brain since I've been sitting on an Information Systems degree for almost 13 months now.

So my question is... Who here has gotten computer certs? (A+/Net+, MCSE, CCNA, etc.) Where did you get them? Did you go to a specialized training school or did you teach yourself from a book and sign up for the exam yourself? Which school? (The only one I found through a quick google search is TrainAce which is in Ashburn and Greenbelt.)

Also, is it a better idea to do this now instead of just going back for a masters? Although at this point I could probably get my Masters education fully funded because I'm now independent of my parents (well, as far as taxes go, atleast), I'm thinking I'd be better off learning some skills in these certs (I'd start with the A+/Net+ and go from there) being that I'd like to start off my career somewhere in the Tier 1 Support or Administrator role. I've found that my IS degree has given me a great technical background, but hasn't really given me some good experience with real world technology, and I don't want to do that all over again with a Masters degree at this point.

Thoughts? Comments?

...Job openings? :halo:

[PokerPacker]

I got A+ through a high-school academy program.

got IC3 because I was in a tech class in high school and the teacher said if we passed it we could skip the final exam. that one doesn't take much knowledge.

those certs aren't exactly rocket-science, though. can't see you getting any quality jobs out of those.

[Larry]

OK, I'm not exactly Alpha Geek, here, but . . .

I really don't think A+ would help you much at all. Maybe things have changed in the 7-8 years since I got mine, but I passed mine without opening a book. (Based on my 5 years experience repairing PCs at the time.)

I consider an A+ certification a plus when I'm hiring people. But I'm hiring people at minimum wage. IMO, A+ simply means that you're a more skilled tech than 90% of the people at Geek Squad. (Most of whom, IMO, are outright liars.)

A+ covers things like why you can't install an AGP video card in a computer that doesn't have an AGP slot. :)

An A+ might help you a little, (and it shouldn't be hard to get at all), because it implies that your education isn't completely theoretical. But IMO, the folks who are going to care about A+, are going to consider your degree a disadvantage.)

[drums and skins]

those certs aren't exactly rocket-science, though. can't see you getting any quality jobs out of those.


People downplay them a lot, but they still look better on a resume than someone who doesn't have them.

Also, in the realm of desktop support, A+/Net+ is pretty sought after.

[GibbsFactor]

What type of jobs are you applying for?

I'd advise you to take any Comptia class you want. Get an exam book, find a solid testing site, study hard for about a month, register, take, pass test.

The market is cyclical. Right now it's on Project Management. Before it was security, database management, etc...

Get a job in tech support, study for your PMP, move up, get into management, become the CIO. Then bail for a sweet consulting job and ride it out till retirement.

[drums and skins]

What type of jobs are you applying for?

I'd advise you to take any Comptia class you want. Get an exam book, find a solid testing site, study hard for about a month, register, take, pass test.

The market is cyclical. Right now it's on Project Management. Before it was security, database management, etc...

Get a job in tech support, study for your PMP, move up, get into management, become the CIO. Then bail for a sweet consulting job and ride it out till retirement.

Thanks. A little optimism does help the spirits quite a bit.

I'm just trying to get my damn foot in the door.

[TorresA]

I used to have a CCNA, it expired a few years ago. I was an idiot and didn't really try to use it that much. Stayed in same job and all. Would have almost certainly done better to move around at the time.

[chipwhich]

Get an Oracle DBA certification.

All certifications are worthless without experience. Take an entry level DBA job.

Learn Unix.

[Zguy28]

I have an MCITP, MCTS, and Security+.

I also have an A+ from my helpdesk days.

Currently working on getting JNCIA certs in Juniper firewalls and SSL VPN appliance.

Also working on a cert from EMC for backup/recovery and storage management.

You want money though, go for the CISSP. But at least get Security+.

The MCITP was easy since Windows 2008 just came out last year. The questions aren't all fleshed out like 2003 MCSA & MCSE.

[DButz65]

OK, I'm not exactly Alpha Geek, here, but . . .

I really don't think A+ would help you much at all. Maybe things have changed in the 7-8 years since I got mine, but I passed mine without opening a book. (Based on my 5 years experience repairing PCs at the time.)

I consider an A+ certification a plus when I'm hiring people. But I'm hiring people at minimum wage. IMO, A+ simply means that you're a more skilled tech than 90% of the people at Geek Squad. (Most of whom, IMO, are outright liars.)

A+ covers things like why you can't install an AGP video card in a computer that doesn't have an AGP slot. :)

An A+ might help you a little, (and it shouldn't be hard to get at all), because it implies that your education isn't completely theoretical. But IMO, the folks who are going to care about A+, are going to consider your degree a disadvantage.)


A friend of mine owns the geeks on call franchise here where i live, and i would love to work for him, but they require you to have your A+ certification. Im like dude you know me and you know i know my stuff for the most part, hes like "sorry man corp wont let me hire you w/o it" Im like grrr heh :(

[Zguy28]

A friend of mine owns the geeks on call franchise here where i live, and i would love to work for him, but they require you to have your A+ certification. Im like dude you know me and you know i know my stuff for the most part, hes like "sorry man corp wont let me hire you w/o it" Im like grrr heh :(If you know your stuff, it should be easy for you.

When I was working on a helpdesk a few years ago, I used a practice test like Transcender or Preplogic and did it over and over until I got perfect ever time and in every combo.

You shouldn't have a problem.