Please help. I have an opportunity to enrol in a tuition course for any of the above certs. I have pretty good IT skills, but will not call myself an advanced user. I can load software do hardware installation and fix basic problems on PC`s, but have not touched networking as such or servers. I wish to work in IT in about six months and would not mind sitting the MCSA or MCSE exams before then. Should I first do the A+ and Network+ or will it be to basic ? - Should I attempt to work hard and study the course material will it give me enough knowledge to enable me to pass the 7 modules for MCSE ? I am good at PC`s and learn concepts easily. What earning potential will an A+ N+ give me? That is as entry level. Please help, I need to decide in a week.
Hi Bozzy The MCSA and MCSE are really designed for people who already have some network support experience. It is possible to selfstudy with a home network and pass the required tests but it is not an easy task. The A+ and Network+ are great lead ins to either the MCSA or MCSE. The A+ centers on the hw side of the PC while the Network+ centers on network basics and tcp/ip fundementals. Where I am at the IT market is pretty tough. Most jobs even entry level are requiring 1-2 years of experience. If you can transfer into the IT dept where you work that would be a great opportunity. I hope this is of help. If you have additional questions let me know.
Dave, Thanks for the quick reply. Would it still not be better to recieve tuition for the MCSE and the accompanying mock exam CD`s which the traiig course gives and then study like hell and pass the exams? Or should I first get the A+ N+? Cheers, Bozzy
The reason being that I am paying the same amount of money for the training course (A+N+) as I would for the MCSE/MCSA. I figure if I`m paying the dough I might as well get the advanced instruction. Just a thought.
MCSE Bozzy, All things being equal, do the MCSE. As you progress along in your certification tests, you will certainly learn enough from 70-216 to easily pass CompTIA's N+. BTW 70-126 is a pretty hard test. A+ and N+, IMHO, are not all that valuable. They will get you in the door to do some help desk duties, or work as a tech at CompUSA/Best Buy. The biggest thing you will run into in your quest for a job somewhere is the requirment by an employer for you to have experience in IT. As it is now, as I make hiring decisions - no experience-no job. I can not tell you how many times kids show up with a MCSE, A+, N+, Inet+, but have absolutely no real world experience working in an IT shop. I understand that it is a catch 22 situation - how do you get a job without experience, and how do you get experience without a job? Internships may be a helpful answer. I currently have 2 students that are interning to get the requisite experience so they can get jobs sometime in the future. The things they will learn goes far beyond what is on the tests - things like how do deal with 'customers' (users) in a empathetic and professional manner. I can not tell you how many people I have called to the carpet because they have absolutely no people skills. I do not tolerate snooty, smarmy know-it-all IT geeks. So Boz, I wont sugar coat it - get the MCSE, then work on your CCNA. If you have the time, get your N+, practice your hardware skills by building computers from scratch -- and above all, try to set some time aside to intern at an established company, unpaid if necessary. Good luck! uxu (MCSE, N+, A+, CCNA, BSBA) <<-- if those matter....
Thanks Uxu, So in your opinion, the MCSE (windows 2000) track is the better option, even if I have no networking experience. WIll the MCSE subjects not be too tough or will a reasonably intelligent person cope with the content. I just feel that if I`m going to pay some institution to train me I should get the advanced instruction. Do you agree? Some people have mentioned that the old NT4 MCSE track was too easy and MS have upgraded the exams accordingly. Is this true? Will three months of instruction 5 days a week be sufficient to enable an average bloke to pass the new 2000 track? Let me know. Cheers, Bozzy
Bozzy, To put this all into perspective - everyone has to start from somewhere. During your course of study - depending on the school - you will learn enough about networking. The whole concept of networks is pretty easy to understand - the hard stuff is learning all of the IP Subnetting, and memorizing the OSI model, and what each level does. Having just finished the 2000 MCSE track - I can say that, yes, the NT4 MCSE tests were pretty easy compared to W2K. Many of the questions have been upgraded to reflect things you need to know in the real world (problem solving) vs rote memorization of silly features of NT4 Server. I think after 5 days a week for 3 months, you will be sick of Windows ..... but you should also have a pretty good handle on what it will take to pass the tests. I completed my W2K MCSE in 5 months, doing it by myself, and was also finishing my bachelors degree - and starting on my masters. The most important thing to do - is to set up a 'lab' in your house to practice. Set up 2 or 3 computers with a hub/switch and 'mess around'. You can get 180 day trial versions of W2K Server, Exchange 2K, SQL Server from MS - or maybe your school will hand them out (many do from what I hear) uxu
Uxu, Thanks. I`ll let the school know that I intend to do the 2k track as opposed to A+ etc. Where did you finish your BSBA? Cheers, Bozzy
Re: MCSE I think uxu said it perfectly. A MCSE will not even get a person a job much less a 50k per year job. The ads for training centers will of coarse say other wise. The key is experience and everyone starts at entry level help desk. At that level a MCSE may hurt a person more than help them. The key is people skills and basic computer hw sw knowledge. I would disagree with uxu in that the MCSE tests really take a lot of knowledge for granted. The A+ and N+ cover this material thoroughly. If your experience is limited to general computer hw and sw use then this material is essential if you are really going to learn what is taught in the MCSE classes As for training centers be very careful. As mentioned they will say anything to get a signed contract. Sign up for 1 class not matter what incentive they give you for more. Sit in on several classes before signing up for anything. Talk to several current students away from the instructors and counselors. Anway I hope that is helpful. If there are further questions please post them. Also check out www.mcselive.com . Read through the archive and you will gain a huge amount of information.
