|
Home > Archive > Windows 2000 track general > January 2001 > ARE CERTS JUST HYPE???
You are viewing an archived Text-only version of the thread.
To view this thread in it's original format and/or if you want to reply to
this thread please [click here]
| Author |
ARE CERTS JUST HYPE???
|
|
|
| With so many IT schools out there changing
big bucks! and certs like NETWORK + at $190.00 WOW!
Look at what this guys says
from XXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
I spent 20 years in the Air Force in computer maintenance (technician and supervisory roles) to include setting up and running two help desks. I also finished my B.S in MIS while in the Air Force.
When I retired everyone wanted network experience, but I was never able to get into that role in my career. I took a job as tier-2 help desk at the University of Oklahoma and started training for my MCSE which I obtained last February.
Results? Nada, zilch, zero. All the potential employers say the certification is great, but they want hands-on experience which I can't get in my current position. I can't get a NT admin position at the university because I lack the experience.
In my opinion certification is a waste of time. If you have the experience, the certification doesn't mean anything. If you don't have experience the certification doesn't mean anything at all! Don't waste your time believing the hype of the MCSE schools. You are better off going to a votech and learn to be a plumber (and they make big bucks.)
David McCallister (thinking about becoming a plumber)
mccallister@netzero.net
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
| |
|
| sounds like you had some bad breaks there bro...you certainly cant paint such a bleak picture for the rest of us folks though...i have a+, ccna, ccda and am workin on mcse 2k, when i just had a+ and ccna on my resume on monster and dice, i got hardly any calls. I just put my ccda on it last tuesday and have 7 different companies inquiring. i was amazed myself. i dont want to take a position just yet, want to finish my MOC at my school, but it is very encouraging. I dont pass myself off as a "guru", my resume states plainly im still in school, but they ARE interested. not only that but the career development department at my school has had outstanding success getting new grads jobs in the networking industry, so to say that employers are not interested is, well, shortsighted or sour grapes. maybe you need a pro to help you out...maybe you dont interview well, i dont know...but you need to do some serious self analysis and take a good look at what you have to offer. and be willing to take a pay cut till you prove yourself. certs can be a way in, the rest is up to you. as far as votech and being a plumber...well...if you WANT to do plumbing, be a plumber..if you WANT to do networking, keep pluggin till you get what you want..."the journey of a thousand miles..." rule applies. good luck. | |
|
| A cert does not a job guarantee, but is sure makes a heck of a difference!
Ever since I got mine, I have head hunters on the phone on a regular basis.
Before that? Well, I once had to take a job selling guitars at a place called Daddy's Junky Music just to pay the bills... get my drift" 
------------------
Freak, MA, M.Ed., Net+,I-Net+, MCP+I, MCP2000, MCSE, MCT
ICQ: 100744839
http://www.mcsefreak.com
Industry News - Free Prep Tests - Study Guides - Exam Drill - Choices - Forum
http://www.WebMaineacs.com
Web Hosting - web design - Web Strategies - Networking - hosting from only $8 a month! | |
|
| Certs won't guarantee anything, but they don't hurt on resumes, either.
Yes, yes, we've seen the over-hyped "Become an MCSE in 2 weeks and make 2 millions dollars a week" garbage. The people who fall for that deserve what they get.
I'm working my way up the ladder, still stuck at a Help Desk, but I'm networking with my coworkers to land a hands-on job. (Some of them have friends who can get them jobs once they get some experience and certifications, so if I can impress my coworkers, I might be change jobs with them.) In my case, I had the bad luck to land a few horrible jobs, with bankrupcy, lay-offs, etc. so my job history seems flaky.
I'm making good money for the area, and the certs made a big difference in my rate of pay. With a bit more experience, and a bit of stability in my resume, I know I'll land a much better job soon. Certs won't do it all, but they do help.
As for the guy you quoted, there isn't enough information to judge why he's having a problem getting a hands-on job. He may be one of those people assuming that the certs would instantly qualify him for a high level Sys Admin job and isn't applying for jobs that suit his current skills. He may need to lower his job expectations a bit, going for network monitoring instead of admin, to work his way up. |
|
|
|
|