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I'm trying to get input from cisco fans and microsoft fans as I'm
evaluating the following:

I've been removed from IT for a few years after period of doing web
development. I'm looking to get a few certifications to signify that
being away from things didn't hamper my ability in the network admin
area and also relearn all the ins and outs. It could also help with a
better job down the road.

The question revolves around Network+, CCNA, and MCSA 2003 (70-290,
70-291, and 70-270).

Let me cover each one individually.

1) Network+. I thought that getting this one would give me a good
foundation, and I had actually considered it before I was told about
the CCNA and how much weight it would carry (of course this was from a
CISCO employee). I have the study guides for this test but I'm
wondering if I should hold off on this one.

2) CCNA. As I stated before, I was told that this would be a really
good one to get. I was basically told that when cisco is hiring
someone they won't hardly look at you unless you have a MCSA and CCNA
(take it for what it's worth).

3) MCSA 2003. In my current environment, this would probably do the
most good. I'm in state government and they are usually behind the
curve on moving to the latest and greatest, so going for the new certs
probably won't do me any good at this point.

Given the info I've presented above, what should be the path I take?

Which one should I do first? Should I eliminate the Network+ cert and
only use the books for ref?

Thanks

"jason7655" <> wrote in message
news: ups.com:

> I'm trying to get input from cisco fans and microsoft fans as I'm
> evaluating the following:
>
> I've been removed from IT for a few years after period of doing web
> development. I'm looking to get a few certifications to signify that
> being away from things didn't hamper my ability in the network admin
> area and also relearn all the ins and outs. It could also help with a
> better job down the road.

Experience before certifications. Achieving certifications to "signify"
that you have not hampered your ability in the network admin area is a
poor excuse to go after these certifications. Do you have experience
with configuring Cisco switches and routers? Do you have experience
administrating a Microsoft Server 2003? If not then learn the
technology, get the recommended experience with the technology, then
pursue your certification dreams.

> The question revolves around Network+, CCNA, and MCSA 2003 (70-290,
> 70-291, and 70-270).
>
> Let me cover each one individually.
>
> 1) Network+. I thought that getting this one would give me a good
> foundation,

It will.

> 2) CCNA. As I stated before, I was told that this would be a really
> good one to get. I was basically told that when cisco is hiring
> someone they won't hardly look at you unless you have a MCSA and CCNA
> (take it for what it's worth).

Do you plan to be administrating and troubleshooting Cisco products in
the near future? Or at all? If not, then skip this one.

>
> 3) MCSA 2003. In my current environment, this would probably do the
> most good. I'm in state government and they are usually behind the
> curve on moving to the latest and greatest, so going for the new certs
> probably won't do me any good at this point.

So if the certification will not help you in your current situation, and
you have no experience administrating and troubleshooting a Windows
Server 2003 domain, why consider the MCSA 2003?

What is your current position with your employer? What is it you do at
work? Answer this and give us some background on your past 3 years
experience in the I.T. field and we can better assist you.

--
Michael D. Alligood, MCSA, MCDST
The I.T. Classroom - http://www.theitclassroom.com/
CertGuard - http://www.certguard.com

On May 25, 9:59 pm, "Michael D. Alligood [CertGuard]"
<mdallig...@bellsouth.net> wrote:
> "jason7655" <jcri...@gmail.com> wrote in message
>
> news: ups.com:
>
> > I'm trying to get input from cisco fans and microsoft fans as I'm
> > evaluating the following:
>
> > I've been removed from IT for a few years after period of doing web
> > development. I'm looking to get a few certifications to signify that
> > being away from things didn't hamper my ability in the network admin
> > area and also relearn all the ins and outs. It could also help with a
> > better job down the road.
>
> Experience before certifications. Achieving certifications to "signify"
> that you have not hampered your ability in the network admin area is a
> poor excuse to go after these certifications. Do you have experience
> with configuring Cisco switches and routers?
No, but possible promotions look at a CCNA cert as a good thing.

Do you have experience
> administrating a Microsoft Server 2003? If not then learn the
> technology, get the recommended experience with the technology, then
> pursue your certification dreams.
Yes.

>
> > The question revolves around Network+,CCNA, and MCSA 2003 (70-290,
> > 70-291, and 70-270).
>
> > Let me cover each one individually.
>
> > 1) Network+. I thought that getting this one would give me a good
> > foundation,
>
> It will.
>
> > 2)CCNA. As I stated before, I was told that this would be a really
> > good one to get. I was basically told that when cisco is hiring
> > someone they won't hardly look at you unless you have a MCSA andCCNA
> > (take it for what it's worth).
>
> Do you plan to be administrating and troubleshooting Cisco products in
> the near future? Or at all? If not, then skip this one.

As stated above, this one is probably the quickest cert for job
promotion.

>
>
>
> > 3) MCSA 2003. In my current environment, this would probably do the
> > most good. I'm in state government and they are usually behind the
> > curve on moving to the latest and greatest, so going for the new certs
> > probably won't do me any good at this point.
>
> So if the certification will not help you in your current situation, and
> you have no experience administrating and troubleshooting a Windows
> Server 2003 domain, why consider the MCSA 2003?
>
I don't believe I said it wouldn't help me in my current situation.
This is probably the main one that would help me in my current
situation.

> What is your current position with your employer? What is it you do at
> work? Answer this and give us some background on your past 3 years
> experience in the I.T. field and we can better assist you.
>
I started out in the IT field in the late 90's pulling cable and then
moved to routers and other hardware. I became a sys admin and dealt
with windows and linux. After a while I became involved in web
development and have spent the last 3+ years there and now I'm back in
IT (networking, SQL, etc.)

For me, a cert isn't just about the paper (no matter what you say,
where I'm at the CCNA or MCSA will get you in the door better than not
having it)...but it's also about relearning things I haven't done in a
couple years.

"jason7655" <> wrote in message
news: ups.com:

> For me, a cert isn't just about the paper (no matter what you say,
> where I'm at the CCNA or MCSA will get you in the door better than not
> having it)...


Not without the experience it will not. If that employers rewards
employees for certifications without experience, or the employer hires
individuals just because of their certification resume without looking
at past experience then I would seriously question the employer.
Further, as a consumer I would not do business with an outside
consulting firm without first checking experience and credentials on
those that would be working on my project.

--
Michael D. Alligood, MCSA, MCDST
The I.T. Classroom - http://www.theitclassroom.com/
CertGuard - http://www.certguard.com

> For me, a cert isn't just about the paper (no matter what you say,
> where I'm at the CCNA or MCSA will get you in the door better than not
> having it)...

The days of the "paper tiger" are long gone. Today, IT managers know that
certifications not only require content knowledge, but also practical
experience with the products that their staff support. Five years ago,
everyone who help MCSE was a demi-god, but now you can typically find at
least five in all but the smallest of communities.

Personal story time....When I left the military, I felt that I had a pretty
strong IT background and that my resume would get me through any job
interview. The more interviews I went to, I found that without
certifications to validate the experience, I was being dismissed offhand. I
had the knowledge, but not the validation. Hence, my quest for
certification.

If you can draw on past experience when studying for an exam, then you know
the exam is right for you. If not, ask questions of those who work with the
equipment or software and ask to help them out with a project. In most
cases, they will typically welcome the help even if they have to walk you
through a process step by step. Gain the experience, get to know the
software or hardware, and then study for the exam.

It's not just about "getting in the door." It's knowing what to do after
you're there.

--
Chance Webster
A+, Network+, MCDST, MCITP, MCTS


"jason7655" wrote:

> On May 25, 9:59 pm, "Michael D. Alligood [CertGuard]"
> <mdallig...@bellsouth.net> wrote:
> > "jason7655" <jcri...@gmail.com> wrote in message
> >
> > news: ups.com:
> >
> > > I'm trying to get input from cisco fans and microsoft fans as I'm
> > > evaluating the following:
> >
> > > I've been removed from IT for a few years after period of doing web
> > > development. I'm looking to get a few certifications to signify that
> > > being away from things didn't hamper my ability in the network admin
> > > area and also relearn all the ins and outs. It could also help with a
> > > better job down the road.
> >
> > Experience before certifications. Achieving certifications to "signify"
> > that you have not hampered your ability in the network admin area is a
> > poor excuse to go after these certifications. Do you have experience
> > with configuring Cisco switches and routers?
> No, but possible promotions look at a CCNA cert as a good thing.
>
> Do you have experience
> > administrating a Microsoft Server 2003? If not then learn the
> > technology, get the recommended experience with the technology, then
> > pursue your certification dreams.
> Yes.
>
> >
> > > The question revolves around Network+,CCNA, and MCSA 2003 (70-290,
> > > 70-291, and 70-270).
> >
> > > Let me cover each one individually.
> >
> > > 1) Network+. I thought that getting this one would give me a good
> > > foundation,
> >
> > It will.
> >
> > > 2)CCNA. As I stated before, I was told that this would be a really
> > > good one to get. I was basically told that when cisco is hiring
> > > someone they won't hardly look at you unless you have a MCSA andCCNA
> > > (take it for what it's worth).
> >
> > Do you plan to be administrating and troubleshooting Cisco products in
> > the near future? Or at all? If not, then skip this one.
>
> As stated above, this one is probably the quickest cert for job
> promotion.
>
> >
> >
> >
> > > 3) MCSA 2003. In my current environment, this would probably do the
> > > most good. I'm in state government and they are usually behind the
> > > curve on moving to the latest and greatest, so going for the new certs
> > > probably won't do me any good at this point.
> >
> > So if the certification will not help you in your current situation, and
> > you have no experience administrating and troubleshooting a Windows
> > Server 2003 domain, why consider the MCSA 2003?
> >
> I don't believe I said it wouldn't help me in my current situation.
> This is probably the main one that would help me in my current
> situation.
>
> > What is your current position with your employer? What is it you do at
> > work? Answer this and give us some background on your past 3 years
> > experience in the I.T. field and we can better assist you.
> >
> I started out in the IT field in the late 90's pulling cable and then
> moved to routers and other hardware. I became a sys admin and dealt
> with windows and linux. After a while I became involved in web
> development and have spent the last 3+ years there and now I'm back in
> IT (networking, SQL, etc.)
>
> For me, a cert isn't just about the paper (no matter what you say,
> where I'm at the CCNA or MCSA will get you in the door better than not
> having it)...but it's also about relearning things I haven't done in a
> couple years.
>
>
>
>

"Chance Webster" <> wrote in message
news:EC2C3BFC-01F1-462A-959B-...
> The more interviews I went to, I found that without
> certifications to validate the experience, I was being dismissed offhand.
> I
> had the knowledge, but not the validation. Hence, my quest for
> certification.

Agreed. I have 20 years of IT experience. I have worked in many enviroments
from small companies to VERY large enterprise networks (140,000 users).
I had to reduce my resume from 7 pages to a compact 3 page resume just so
someone would read it. At 7 pages, I didn't even want to read it.. LOL
Still.. one problem remained. Due to my busy career, I had let my
certifications lapse. I was certified back in the ole NT 4.0 days and you
are correct. These days without the certifications to back up your
experience, your resume will be filtered out pretty quick. Hence, my quest
for certification.

On May 30, 2:27 pm, "Jeff" <j...@nospam.com> wrote:
> "Chance Webster" <ChanceWebs...@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
>
> news:EC2C3BFC-01F1-462A-959B-...
>
> > The more interviews I went to, I found that without
> > certifications to validate the experience, I was being dismissed offhand.
> > I
> > had the knowledge, but not the validation. Hence, my quest for
> > certification.
>
> Agreed. I have 20 years of IT experience. I have worked in many enviroments
> from small companies to VERY large enterprise networks (140,000 users).
> I had to reduce my resume from 7 pages to a compact 3 page resume just so
> someone would read it. At 7 pages, I didn't even want to read it.. LOL
> Still.. one problem remained. Due to my busy career, I had let my
> certifications lapse. I was certified back in the ole NT 4.0 days and you
> are correct. These days without the certifications to back up your
> experience, your resume will be filtered out pretty quick. Hence, my quest
> for certification.

Thanks for validating what I'm saying guys. I've watched these
newsgroups for a little while and it seems that sometimes the true
value of a cert is downplayed. Maybe that's because generally the
lower amount of people that hold a valued cert give that cert more
value. Over saturated markets can make certs appear less valid.

It's kind of like a catch 22...got to have the experience to get the
experience.

Let's say I have over 5 years IT experience (which I do), and I don't
have any certs. If I'm up against candidates with the 1-4 years
experience, but they have CCNA's, MCSA's and MCSE's...who do you think
will get that first interview. If they are interviewing a minimal
amount of candidates then I might have missed my chance.

I would argue that a certification doesn't just get your foot in the
door, it can give you valuable experience in studying technology and
further your learning capacity. I've looked at too many job listings
with CCNA preferred, or MCSA desired to believe some of the talk I
hear about certs not mattering.