Re: What certifications do you have?

You made a good choice in pursuing a degree. However, it certainly wouldn't hurt to add a few more certifications to go along with it.

When I took the A+ exam about 3 years ago, the study guide to have was by a guy named Michael (maybe Mike..) Myers. Don't know if this is still the best. Anyway, if you already know a bit about hardware and OS's, the exam is not that difficult.

If you feel that you need more than the book can offer, I would suggest going to your local Best Buy or local computer store, or whatever, and getting a part-time job in PC repair. You will learn just as much -- or more -- than you would in an A+ prep class, and you will get paid for it, rather than having to pay the training center.

A quick side note: You asked what certifications people hold. I believe that I hold one of the most obscure certifications ever issued by one of the major certification entities. I'm a "Novell Certified Internet Business Strategist." The exam was offered for less than a year, during the boom. It was BY FAR the easiest certification exam I ever took. Ironic, eh?

 

What certifications do you have?

I am closing in on the final 3 months of my program at AIU and I am thinking about getting certifed soon after graduation I was wonderiing

1 what certifications do you have ?
2 why did you choose that particular certification?
3 Did it help in your career seach after graduation?
4 What degree do you hold ?
5 What would be a couple good certifications to start with?
6 What job do you hold?
7. Did you good to school to get certified or did you get certified on your own? If so , what did you use?

I am network+ certified I was going to persue the A+ next , but decided to go back to school instead figured the degree would be worth more than the certification in the long run now I am looking at job postings and it seems to me that they are looking for both !
So what do you think?

 

Check out this article:
http://certcities.com/editorial/features/story.asp?EditorialsID=71

Also check out the ton of articles on techrepublic.com, certmag.com, or mcpmag.com for similar answers to your questions.

Before you graduate with a B.S., make sure to get an internship in the field you want to get into which should help you get your foot in the door. Any experience in the IT field is good experience even if you don't get paid for it.

Certs are good, but they don't last forever as they either get old or expire. If you like Windows 2000 and AD, then go for MCSE, or the MCSA, or just to show you know Windows 2000, pass the Win2K Server exam to become a MCP. If you like networking and routers, pass the CCNA exam. If you want to go into PC tech repair, pass the A+ exam. Certs can give the extra boost you need, but experience and education are key!

-Paul

 

I don't put too much value in certifications; for the type of job I do (software engineering) experience is what counts. For an entry-level job, a solid education (a BS/MS in CS, Math or related discipline) will get you farther than certifications.

 

When I worked for a large foreign owned corporation, degrees were the big thing. Now that I'm working through temp agency, I find that 'certs' is the thing to have. Apparently they feel it shows that you are versatile. For that reason, I'm going after as many certs as I can. I don't like getting downsized.

 

What field are you a software engineer in?


I work in the semiconductor industry right now (work on the hardware side right now though) and was thinking of getting into the software side. That or flight control software (have hardware experience in that field too).

Has anyone made a career change like this? Can experience in the field in general give you any advantage over no experience at all when it came to computer related jobs?

Best Regards,
Bill

 

Bill,

I work in the oil & gas industry, developing and supporting industry-specific business software. I spent a couple of years as a database administrator, but for the most part I do software development.

Your experience with hardware, I think, would be seen as an advantage if you switch to the software side, but you'll need to have knowledge of operating systems, programming languages and databases if you like to work in software development.

As you probably know, the software side can be a bit complex: multiple hardware platforms, databases and environments (i.e. client/server, web-enabled, mobile). For someone just getting into the software development field, I would recommend the following:

• A good understanding of UNIX and Windows (at O/S level)
  
• Learn to program C++: a good all-purpose language, helps you understand object-oriented programming concepts, and it is a good foundation that will help you learn some of the newer languages like Java and C#.
  
• Learn SQL: a "standard" accessing databases. Oracle and SQL Server are widely used; Microsoft Access may be a good one to learn, although their SQL is weird.

That would be a good skill set to have, of course it all depends on what your potential employer/customers' needs really are. Is there a specific area of "software" that interests you?

 

I want to develop/improve/whatever plasma beam tuning algorithms for semiconductor equipment. At work you hear customers complaining that the machine screws up a beam when it tries to correct it. I look at it tune and you can clearly tell who ever programmed it did not know what they were programming. I think they just knew that they needed "component A" to be at a max reading and they had a whole bunch of other components that influenced it. I think with my field experience, I can probably make better tuning methods for the machines.... Hmm this sounds good maybe I'll use this as a cover letter.

The other thing I want to do is flight control software. I don't know much about it (I know how the error signals from the gyros get to the flightcontrol computer and are converted to logic signals, but once it is fed into software I am not sure). There are no software courses (that I know of) that are specific to flight control. Anyways, that what I WANT to do. Chances are I will either get whatever computer job I can get. If I can't get the pay I am getting now doing field service, I may just stay in electronics. Who knows, what I do know is I have a family and my MO is sustain a steady income for them, so I will do what I have to do!

As far as the OS, programming, and SQL skills, I will have all that training once I finish this BSCS degree (atleast according to the curriculum I will know it ). I have had previous, nonprofessional experience with programming (AP computers in HS w/ Pascal and BASIC before that), so I picked up C++ and Visual basic pretty quick. I have to admit the OOP stuff threw me off and it took me a while to understand ADT's again. I think I am getting better though. We will see as I progress in this CS program...

Best Regards,
Bill

 

Bill,

Sounds like a BSCS combined with your hardware experience would definitively be a plus for the type of work you have in mind.

I haven't heard of any classes for flight control software, but perhaps something with real-time systems will help. Perhaps Embry-Riddle? I know they offer a Master's in Software Engineering, but I think only at their Daytona Beach location.

From where are you getting your BSCS? I was a CS/Statistics double-major back in the 80's, dropped out to work in software development, went back to school in the early 90's but switched to business and finally graduated last year with a BS in IT.

 

Troy State. They have an online BSCS program which accepted virtually all my AAS credits (30 military credits and 30 gen ed) into the gen ed requirements, elective, and a Military Science minor.

The program is proving to be pretty challenging. I took IS2244 which is an introductory programming class and ACE'd it. I got cocky and did three classes next term (Functional Characteristics of Digital Comp, which is a computer architecture w/ assembly class, Advanced C++ which was an intermediate programming class with the different datastructures, advanced OOP stuff etc., and Mathematics for Aviation I from Embry Riddle which is a precalc algebra and trig class). This term proved that I DIDN'T know squat about programming. Even the comp architecture class kicked my butt (thinking that I would do good with my electronics background). Any rate, I passed both classes (with the help of a couple bonus projects). So, I went back to two courses per term. This term it is Info Processing (advanced programming and software engineering stuff) and Visual Basic (intermediate programming class it says, but it seems easier than I thought it would be.. we'll see).

The courses are definately a lot harder than I anticipated, but I like the program a lot. I forgot how fun it is to program. The only thing I don't like about the program is the lack of math in it (not that I like math it's just I know if I ever want to pursue a masters that will be the first deficiency). So, I am going to take atleast a semester of calculus at the beginning of the year.

I know you didn't ask for this BLOG on my schooling, but my wife doesn't want to hear it and I have to tell some one my adventures in DL.

Best Regards,
Bill

 

A degree is very important, than your certs. When I worked as a Y2K Coordinator / Network Administrator for a hospital, my manager had an MS in Computer Science that she earned 15 years ago. I did not have a degree and knew so much more than she did.

I had my MCSE NT 4.0 and my MCP+I then I completed my AA.

As far as order of certs, I would go for the A+, Net+, than MCP (W2K Pro or Server).

The degree never expires but the certs do.

I have my MCSE NT4.0, MCP+I, MCSA, A+, N+ and I am currently studing for my CCNA.

 

There is a saying that floats around at my job, "Those who can not do, lead others that can." (joke! don't flame)

Bill

 

Especially in the military...

Steven King

 

It may be a joke but it is not far from the truth

 

Degrees and Certifications

Certifications
----------------
CNE
CNA
MCSE
MCP
CCNA
CCNP
CLP
CISSP


Degrees
------------

B.S
M.S
Ph.D.


Ike Okonkwo, Ph.D.

 

Degree + Certs

IT certification is proof of one's knowledge and competence of the subject area to which he is certified such as MCSE, OCP and other vendor specifics. There are also vendor neutral certs such as CompTIA's A+, Network+, IT Project+, Prosoft's CIW and etc. These are subject focused certs. If aimed at a higher level (wider coverage) cert, I suggest the ICCP's CCP or ACP certifications, specially if the goal is to become, let say, CIO some day.

Certainly, a degree is always the best, but certification is proof of one's currency of the "Body of Knowledge" of the subject to which certification is obtained. Degree + Certs will, I think, make you shine so bright.

 

Certifcations:
* PMP
* CISSP
* CISM

Planned in 2004:
* CISA
* CSDP (IEEE)
* CQM (ASQ) (Time permitting - to meet ongoing PMP requirements)
* CEH (to meet CISSP/CISM ongoing requirements)

 

I have many certifications. Unfortunately I do not have my degree. I feel both are important. I would say get as much as you can, both are great!!!!!

 

We received MAs in criminology, in addition to obtaining certifications in criminal justice administration.

 

I have my bachelor degree in Electronics and Communication. Certifications i have are below in the order of achievement.

BS - Aug 1995
MCSE (Windows NT 4.0) - May 1996
CCNA - Aug 1997
ACRC - Nov 1999
CCIE (R&S) - March 2001
MCSE (Windows 2000) - June 2001
CCSA (Checkpoint) - Dec 2001

Below are being planned

MCSE (Windows 2003) by dec 2003
SCPM (Stanford University) by May 2004