70-210 - What employers prefer? A DEGREE or MCSE

Author

What employers prefer? A DEGREE or MCSE

onoski

2002-01-30, 4:44 am

I would like to hear your opinion on this issue as to what you think employers prefer most. But I still think the bottom line is experience as a lot of people just memorise a book on an MS OS product and pass the mcse exams without hands on skills for the product. On the other hand a lot of universities just teach the theoretical aspect of computing, I think in terms of opinion someone with a degree is likely the same as an mcse, in short some employers would give preference to the mcse. This is with exception to a few who are actually working in an IT field with mcse accolade.

However, I'd also like to use this medium to encourage individuals to try and get as much hands on experience working with the product. This can be done by setting up a little home network with low cheap spec PC's, NIC, Hubs and even Switches using a CAT5 cable. Learn to troubleshoot, because when you do land an interview for a support role the IT guy, would throw real life scenario questions on you testing your knowledege, troubleshooting skills and people handling abilities.

No dis-respect and I mean that as there's alot of people in this forum with lots of certifications but no practical knowledge of how to troubleshoot the subject matter. Why, there is a lot of people who have earned their MCSE's with hard work and determination, these few folking into the IT field with no real intentions of working hard to get some where spoil it for the others. I hope I've not offended anybody as all am trying to get across is that people should be willing to get real hands on experience and not just think that getting an MCSE or even a degree is a licence to get an IT role.

One last thing, happy learning and remember knowledge is attained through making and deciding on an informed opinion, or maybe you have a different opinion.

Bannaman

2002-01-30, 5:44 am

Well, interseting post, well employers look for varied things to be honest. But to pin it down you need to have good experience, that is vital. In the question regarding a degree and an mcse, my friend whos a recruitment consultant, said they look for ceretificatin as well as a degree. They said a degree shows the abiity to learn quickly?! But said the certification is very important, as is experience. All in all a mixutre of experience and academics helps, but it all depends on the role and yourself. Many people who have no expereince can come across well and have a good mind and will be taken on. Its a tough market today and experience counts, try anything including volutary work for a firm to boost up the cv.

onoski

2002-01-30, 5:52 am

In a nutshell Bannaman, you have sumed it up and thanks for your honesty as most people like deviating from the real issues.

themindseye

2002-01-30, 8:59 am

Great points bannaman.

What I'd like to know is how do you really get your foot in the door.
I left my job to study for my MCSE,,I came from engineering not I.T,, and if I have to do all the crap just to get in the door then I will as I see this as my only chance to do it because I couldn't afford to do it again.
And when companies say they want experience, how does the experience happen when the product changes so often.
Oh It's a tough,tough world.

mrfixit

2002-01-30, 9:26 am

quote:
And when companies say they want experience, how does the experience happen when the product changes so often.

It's called "Catch 22". You can't get the job without experience, and you can't get the experience without the job.

I broke into this field in the early days of PC's, still running 8088 XT's with DOS version 1.0. Didn't have a lot of experienced people around back then, and no real certifications. You either knew what you were doing, or you didn't. Most of my skills on PC's was self-taught, by pulling a machine apart to see how it worked. Wasn't alot of software then either, not like today. As long as you knew basic DOS commands, you could get by.

Today is a lot different. There are too many certs, and too many people who are just cramming books and cheat sheets,and all the other shortcut ways of getting these certs. Without the experience they are no good to the employer, and have only hurt themselves in the long run. Yes, they might get their foot in the door, and even fake their way through a few small problems. But when the really big stuff hits, and they haven't got a clue as to how to resolve this issue, then what?

I believe that everyone deserves a chance. But if you have no experience other than reading from a book, and taking a few on-line test, then you really have no right to apply for that Network Admin position. Because you just may impress someone with all your certifications, and end up in that extremely important position. My advice, start small and work your way up. Get onto a helpdesk, or perhaps an entry level repair tech position. You can always move up, but if you start at the top, there is no place to go but down.

Just my opinion.

'nuff said.....

onoski

2002-01-30, 9:46 am

Well said Mrfixit, I think it's about time people realise this fact. It's a tuff world out there and we all have to be willing to start from somewhere even if it means earning less money. However, I think your words were quite harsh mrfixit as this article was to enlighten people who think a paper mcse or a degree would get you into the IT field. Don't get me wrong the degree is very important it goes to show you can reason as well as absorb and dissiminate information. The mcse on the other hand shows that you can troubleshoot and administer MS products. So, both have their bearings. The point is that some people want to go the easy way thinking that aquiring these qualifications is a straight right to getting an IT job.

It is important to remember that there are people out there like "Themindseye" determined not just to get the paper but a chance to learn and advance within that same career field. On the other hand there are others who just strife to get cert upon cert without no knowledge of what it is that they really want to achieve. Happy learning and more knowledge to those who are really serious. My advice is don't give up you'd soon see the light at the end of the tunnel but it wouldn't come without hardwork and some sacrifice. I can't tell you how long I've been into IT, from wannabe to be or how long since I started learning. One last advice play with the OS, install a device, if it doesn't work try resolving the fault, you'd be surprise how much you'd actually learn and know it for sure.

mrfixit

2002-01-30, 10:31 am

quote:
However, I think your words were quite harsh mrfixit

I wasn't even warmed up yet. So you haven't seen harsh from me. It's still too early in the day.

Just don't get me started on "Paper" (insert certification).

themindseye

2002-01-30, 11:59 am

quote:
Get onto a helpdesk, or perhaps an entry level repair tech position. You can always move up, but if you start at the top, there is no place to go but down

All my experience has been self taught over the past ten years at home building pcs to installing small home/office networks so I have some experience
I'm more than willing to start at the bottom as I've sacrificed a lot to accomplish what I have so far and also a supporting wife, I just hope prospective employers can understand how serious I am to accomplish my goals because ...after all we all have to start somewhere

mrfixit

2002-01-30, 12:28 pm

It has been my experience that there are always employers out there willing to give a sincere person the opportunity to prove themselves. Everyone has to start somewhere, and given the opportunity and the right mindset, anyone can succeed.

Good luck in your endeavours!

onoski

2002-01-31, 2:18 pm

At last the point has hit home, keep up the hard work and determination. There might just be something lerking in the corner.

Bannaman

2002-01-31, 3:14 pm

Yes, its a tough world out there folks

with all the worlds events that have taken place the industry was going to down big style. A couple of people i know though who recruit fort a living are saying things are already looking up and are not going down. They say around july ish things will get much better and hopefully soon the ecconomy will get back to what is supposed to be like. Some major players have already started recruiting for more postion. Regarding fixits post about the only way is down is correct, but with a good mcse under your belt and if you studied and practiced i hard i feel perhaps a help desk joint is a bit harsh, perhaps jnr admin or alog those lines would fit these people more. Anyways dont give up hope people and keep your head up as was said...

bluhen99

2002-01-31, 4:45 pm

Amen. Think positive

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