Certifcations

Not really a distance learning question but nonetheless,


where would my wife start to begin working on her certifications? Does she start buying books to study? or is there online courses? (Free ones would be great??)

anyways, please help.


this seems to be the advice everyone has.......


drew

 

What kind of certifications?

I mean Microsoft, CISCO or SUN...

 

If she has some working IT experience check out cbt nuggets and buy their videos. They cover exactly what you need to know to help prepare for the exam. They are also good just to keep up with technology. Then purchase the transcender practice exams and when she gets about 90% on the exams, I would say she would be ready for it. Try not waste your money on what can be very costly classes.

However, if the IT experience does not really exist, then I do recommend taking one or two hands on classes first to get some exposure.

It does seem that IT certs are not what they used to be and they are best when they compliment a bachelor’s degree.

Good luck!

-Paul

 

she has very little knowledge. her bachelors is in history education.


she is the computer lab person at an elementary school. she troubleshoot the computers to the best of her ability, install programs, some networking stuff, (map drives).


she is wanting to increase her knowledge. maybe get another bachelors or get a masters that would position her to get a computer job.


any suggestions

 

I would look at community colleges. They offer basic classes for computers such as A+, Network+, MCSE, CCNA, etc. Many of the classes, in Florida, are 3 credits, all day Saturday, and half a semester.

If her knowledge is limited, I would stay away from places like New Horizons and crash courses like that.

Randell, MCSE, MCSA, MCP+Internet, Network+, A+

 

Re: Don't choose, get both!

Do you have any info from them? I have emailed them and they never responded.

 

Beware the Tech schools. Many are floundering. They'll take your money from a loan company, lock the door and disappear. You'll have yourself a nice big loan, no education and there's nothing you can do about it.
State schools have better protections and you need them in this vocational area.

 

Free course materials might be quite difficult to find, but with her already acquired knowledge through hands-on experience might be helpful for some cert exams with just few more study materials.

Since I'm an ICCP's CCP holder, it's, I guess, natural to recommend ICCP exams. It's non-vendor specific, and ACE reviewed, which can be transferred towards a second BS.

You might want to look at ICCP website for more information about their program.

cheers

 

Randell has a nice point there...
if your wife is at entry level
(even though I'm MCSE) I would suggest she take the A+ and the Network+ (they're certifications for life- do not expire)

and if she wishes to go on the MCSA route, together with the first two, she will need only three more Microsoft exams.

 

Hi

Trigo and Randell have it correct. The A+ and N+ from Comptia are a great way to start and build a foundation without spending a ton of cash. As Randell pointed out CC are an excellent resource. If a person is more of a self-study type they can also be done with books and some hardware practice. Good luck.

 

Just my two cents

Certifications without extensive IT work experience are meaningless. Take it from me, despite 20+ years as an EE in the Semi business, after the dot com crash I couldn't switch over to IT even with the BS degree and MCSE2000, A+, and CCNP because I didn't have direct paid experience in IT or IS (after the dot com crash, there were thousands of unemployed IT and IS professionals out there competing with you)

My advice, got to a CC and get hands on experience and get a low level help desk job to gain experience. Then move up to your certs. Certs are basically a cash cow for the New Horizon schools so they will lie to you until they are blue in the face to convince you that they are need before you get the actual paid experience. Don't buy into it unless you have $12Grand to piss away.

 

At the risk of giving good advice - she's in the job and wants to keep it & advance?

I'd recommend the MCDST (http://www.microsoft.com/learning/mcp/mcdst/default.asp)

It's a fairly easy certification to earn - and it's fairly new and rare and has the MS cachet

She should never "talk trash" re: her certifications/education - all she does is reduced her perceived value in the eyes off the people around her.

If she has a BS (in History) leverage the technical certification to get into a Masters program (Nova Southeasrern will admit her "conditionally" provided her grades were decent).

 

Is the MCDST exams passable with study of the books that they reccomend?

dd

 

You may also want to purchase these practice exams that will help you to learn the required Microsoft logic for each particular exam.

They are pricey but well worth it.

-Paul

 

That really depends on your wife. If she is new - then I would suggest a CC class with some hands-on labs.

 

Not my experience.

No matter what credentials you have - if you can't market yourself you're going to have a tough time.

 

Does she want to do programming? If so, getting certification in Java programming would be helpful. She could take a couple of courses in Java programming, get a Java certification exam guide, and get her certification.

 

Just out of curiosity I checked out the CBT nuggets website. I was so impressed with their demo, that I ordered the A+/Network + combo. Before I was studying on my own but found the texts to be boring.

Thanks for the tip!