I am trying to cross over into a computer specific field with a well known company. IT, Sys Admin etc. In my current job I deal with computers a lot but its more database, creating accounts, passwords, etc.. However, a lot of the job posts that come up are Manager level. Ive even asked the guys how I can get in and they seem to brush me off. The posts I see say must know multiple systems, 10+yrs they hardly ever have any entry posts. I have been looking at MCSA and CCNA for example. The curriculum on MCSA seems on my level. I know how to do some of the things they mention in the curriculum. I guess my question is what do I pursue to break my way into the field. I have a good base & solid work history, but what cert do I go after that wont waste my time or be over my head?
I would go for the MCSA but look at the options. When I got mine I was able to use my A+ and Network+ as one of my MCSA electives. This will give you a wider level of knowledge and some extra certs. The CCNA would be a great one to get also.
Work on your Microsoft certification MCITP, if you're into the Windows Systems. It would be nice if you have Messaging certification (Exchange 2007 & 2010.). CCNA & CCNP must have for Networking sides, but recommend the Administration sides as well. VCP (VMWare) and EMC are popular for SAN (Storage Area Network) and virtual systems. CompTIA Security+ (soon to be Government minimum requirement) & CISSP (Certified Information Systems Security Professional) for security concentration.
I know a few people working in the field and CCNA is said to be very valuable if you enjoy that type of work.
Thanks for the feedback. Any good programs you guys recommend? Ive checked a few out near my area but most seem to be during the daytime for classroom based training. That's a no go for me because of work.
I did my MCSE classes at the community college and they offered them as weekend classes. It took about 6 months but it was much, much better then those "boot camps". Those cramp all the information in and are not really good if you want to learn something in detail.
So you say MCSE. Is MCSE the follow on or level higher to MCSA? I didnt really look for MCSE at the local CC or trade schools. I started looking at MCSA because it has a few subjects im familiar with alredy. If I could do them on a weekend for 6 months that would be ok.
MCSE is the higher level then the MCSA. When I got my MCSE (NT 4.0) it required six exams. I got my MCSA (W2K) and it was 4 exams or three plus some CompTIA electives.
MCSE and MCSA are about to be retired, the new one is MCITP (Microsoft Certified Information Technology Professional) -Some of the Video Lectures you can purchase for between $200.00 - $800.00; such as CBT Nuggets, K-Alliance, TestOut, TrainingSignal, and etc.
Not your bad. Microsoft didn't want to retire the MCSE designation. They went to the MCITP marker after several countries put in legislation defining exactly what the requirements were to have a credential carry an engineer designation. Once Microsoft couldn't market the cert as "engineer" in a global way, the term changed. Still getting the same old same old in terms of training and jumping through more hoops.
Im a little confused here. Here is a quote taken from there website. Im not saying any of you guys are wrong. I just want to make sure I sign up for the right one. Q. Are any of the legacy credentials (such as MCDST, MCP, MCSE, or MCAD) going to retire? A. No. The new retirement policy applies only to the MCTS, MCITP, and MCPD credentials. Currently, there are no plans to retire any of our legacy credentials.
The problem is in the use of the term "retire". Will Microsoft stop recognizing the MCSE 2003 people that exist - No. Will Microsoft create a MCSE 2008 program? - No The upgrade path to the MCSE 2003 is the MCITP - Enterprise Administrator for Windows 2008. So your MCSE 2003 will continue to be recognized, but the value of that certification in the marketplace will be increasingly questionable as time goes on and new tech gets deployed. As a MCSA/MCSE on 2000 and 2003 I can tell you that I'm walking away from the Microsoft technology base and pursuing Red Hat and Apple credentials until I see some data on 2008 deployments in industry. Which one should you go with? Newer seems to be better but it depends on where you're working and what their plans are for their tech. I can imagine that 2003 Server will be in place in some places for a long time yet but the changes to the 2008 Active Directory schema and integrations with new versions of Exchange, MS Office and Windows 7 make it such that the productivity software people prefer to use may drive the server software market.
So basically they're saying if you have a MSCE already, it's still going to be valid, they're just not going to offer it anymore.
old structure: MCDST--helpdesk, 2 exams , covering stuff it sounds like you already do MCSA--4 exams, the MCDST (all of it) counts as an elective, as does A+/N+... MCSA is a sub-set of MCSE...the idea is that the MCSE is the systems architect , designer, etc, and the MCSA is the day-to-day admin. new structure: MCTS--microsoft certified tech specialist...this is done product-by-product (windows, exchange , sharepoint, etc) ...first level of 2 that you can get. there are also MCTS tracks for "desktop admin" (like mcdst) and "enterprise admin" (like mcsa/mcse) after that comes the MCITP, which could be 1, 2, or 3 exams higher than the MCTS in the product you choose. do not just go get CCNA *and* CCNP. it's better to get the CCNA and then one of the specialized CCNAs after it--security, wireless, voice, or service provider (thats a brand new one). don't go get a ton of certs because you'll still need to balance it with experience....i'ts better to spend the extra 6 months - year you'd spend going for a CCNP by getting real job experience. you can take these as online classes, and as randell said, night classes at some community colleges. i have almost every certification mentioned in this thread and more...and have taught IT classes forever, so if you have any questions, let me know.