Just passed 70-620 and need some guidance

I recently got laid off from my company of 11 years. I did mostly vendor
support for Dell / EMC and have mostly hardware level experience (SAN / NAS /
Server hardware install / config) but now want to go back to my roots and
work on my MS knowledge. Until the 70-620, the last MS exam I took was
Network Essentials and NT 4.0!

So, to get my feet wet I just picked up the MS Press 70-620 book and passed
the test. I visited the MS learning site and really confused and just how
many paths there are now to certification bliss. I am most likely looking to
certify for deskside level positions but would also like to cover my server
OS knowledge as well (looking to also take the Exchange exam).

Since my working experience is lacking, I'm using VMWare to simulate a small
LAN to use as a lab for the time being. I've got Vista, XP, 7, and need to
purchase 2003 server to complete this.

So my question is this (thank you for taking the time to read this far) -
Can anyone suggest a good certification route / path that would allow me to
build off my previous exams/knowledge while effectively advancing to
something like an MCSE or MCTIP or what not? My current employer has offered
to pay for my exams so really want to take advantage of this.

One thing I've learned the hard way - never trust a company 100%.

Thanks in advance!

Rezzin07

"Rezzin07" <> wrote in message
news:1CF15F0D-B741-472A-9EBC-...
>I recently got laid off from my company of 11 years. I did mostly vendor
> support for Dell / EMC and have mostly hardware level experience (SAN /
> NAS /
> Server hardware install / config) but now want to go back to my roots and
> work on my MS knowledge. Until the 70-620, the last MS exam I took was
> Network Essentials and NT 4.0!

God Bless You.. but u got a lot of catchin' up to do, my friend.


> So, to get my feet wet I just picked up the MS Press 70-620 book and
> passed
> the test. I visited the MS learning site and really confused and just how
> many paths there are now to certification bliss. I am most likely looking
> to
> certify for deskside level positions but would also like to cover my
> server
> OS knowledge as well (looking to also take the Exchange exam).

If you'd like to start at "desktop support", and that's probably a good
entry point having been out of the loop for several years, the cert you
probably want to focus on is the MCITP: Enterprise Support Technician.


> So my question is this (thank you for taking the time to read this far) -
> Can anyone suggest a good certification route / path that would allow me
> to
> build off my previous exams/knowledge while effectively advancing to
> something like an MCSE or MCTIP or what not?

The good news is that your NetEss and NT4 background is not entirely lost.
Truth is, you've probably passed a number of hurdles that brand new people
still have to cross -- and that's "fundamentals".

Since you've already got the -620, you might want to look at the -680
(Windows 7);
or go ahead and jump into the MCITP: EST.

> My current employer has offered
> to pay for my exams so really want to take advantage of this.

Awesome! Definitely take avantage of that!

> One thing I've learned the hard way - never trust a company 100%.

hehe.. true... like, get them to buy the voucher and then use the voucher to
schedule the exam, rather than pay first and get reimbursement.


--
Lawrence Garvin, M.S., MCITP:EA, MCDBA
Principal/CTO, Onsite Technology Solutions, Houston, Texas
Microsoft MVP - Software Distribution (2005-2009)

My Blog: http://onsitechsolutions.spaces.live.com
Microsoft WSUS Website: http://www.microsoft.com/wsus
My MVP Profile: http://mvp.support.microsoft.com/pro...awrence.Garvin

Lawrence Garvin [MVP]

I just passed my 70-620 today also!

My path is:
MCITP: Enterprise Support Technician - Exam 70-620 & Exam 70-622
MCITP: Server Administrator - Exam 70-640, Exam 70-642 & Exam 70-646
MCITP: Enterprise Administrator - Exam 70-643 & Exam 70-647 (plus above
exams)

I suggest that you take the 70-622 as I am doing now then you will have an
MCITP badge to display(Quickest route to MCITP).

After that my server path is outlined above.

Look on the Microsoft learning site and look at the MCTS's that interest you
and then decide what path would interest you.

Well done on Passing BTW!!!

Andrew.


"Rezzin07" <> wrote in message
news:1CF15F0D-B741-472A-9EBC-...
>I recently got laid off from my company of 11 years. I did mostly vendor
> support for Dell / EMC and have mostly hardware level experience (SAN /
> NAS /
> Server hardware install / config) but now want to go back to my roots and
> work on my MS knowledge. Until the 70-620, the last MS exam I took was
> Network Essentials and NT 4.0!
>
> So, to get my feet wet I just picked up the MS Press 70-620 book and
> passed
> the test. I visited the MS learning site and really confused and just how
> many paths there are now to certification bliss. I am most likely looking
> to
> certify for deskside level positions but would also like to cover my
> server
> OS knowledge as well (looking to also take the Exchange exam).
>
> Since my working experience is lacking, I'm using VMWare to simulate a
> small
> LAN to use as a lab for the time being. I've got Vista, XP, 7, and need
> to
> purchase 2003 server to complete this.
>
> So my question is this (thank you for taking the time to read this far) -
> Can anyone suggest a good certification route / path that would allow me
> to
> build off my previous exams/knowledge while effectively advancing to
> something like an MCSE or MCTIP or what not? My current employer has
> offered
> to pay for my exams so really want to take advantage of this.
>
> One thing I've learned the hard way - never trust a company 100%.
>
> Thanks in advance!
>

Andrew B