Certifications and IT jobs/Salaries - I need a certificate !!

Author

I need a certificate !!

almawy

2003-03-25, 5:30 am

Hello all,

I have about 6 years of experience in PCS.
I can identify/repair all kinds of PC faults in hardware or software easily, I know windows pretty good. I am thinking to get a certificate as a start, I have about 3 months of free time to study and budget is not problem, but I wonder which certificate would be the best for me no matter what it is just to help me in my career for the future.
I would appreciate all your suggestions.

Thanks
R_

ace123

2003-03-25, 7:14 am

quote:
Originally posted by almawy
Hello all,

I have about 6 years of experience in PCS.
I can identify/repair all kinds of PC faults in hardware or software easily, I know windows pretty good. I am thinking to get a certificate as a start, I have about 3 months of free time to study and budget is not problem, but I wonder which certificate would be the best for me no matter what it is just to help me in my career for the future.
I would appreciate all your suggestions.

Thanks
R_

I would start with Comptia A+

NetChild1985

2003-03-25, 7:24 am

Take this route:

A+ -> Network+ -> MCP

It's absolutely doable to get these certs in 3 months if you have 6 years experience IMO.

Good luck!

Cert-Seeker

2003-03-25, 7:51 am

A+ would make you a certified PC Maintenance Technician.
If you have money to blow, you could take the HP/Compaq or Dell Service Certs.

jackiechan

2003-03-25, 11:04 am

A winning lottery ticket is better than any certificate

thecomeons

2003-03-26, 6:10 am

quote:
Originally posted by Cert-Seeker
A+ would make you a certified PC Maintenance Technician.
If you have money to blow, you could take the HP/Compaq or Dell Service Certs.

i agree.

almawy

2003-03-26, 7:08 am

Thank you guys
I will go for the A+

R

btroadman

2003-03-26, 7:51 am

I don't want to be the lone wolf here, but the A+ is kind of a joke. He already has the experience, why waste his time getting a worthless cert. The exams are too expensive, and you get nothing out of it. Don't waste your time, jump right into Microsoft if that is where you are headed. Don't waste time on worthless certs. You will look back and agree...trust me.

thecomeons

2003-03-26, 10:02 am

but it the hardware he likes. that's why it was suggested. we also suggested he try hp or dell certs.

in my region, mcse and ccnp are what are generally asked for - i have seen none of the comptia certs mentioned in job adverts, that's why, when i get my network+, i will use it with my a+ to start mcsa.

but if almawy was to apply for a position requiring hardware knowledge, his a+ will back up anything said by his previous employer(s) in his reference(s).

flext

2003-03-26, 3:26 pm

A+ is a good starting point then on to some MS certs or even Network +

Ed

A+ Question of the Day Guy

Kasor

2003-03-26, 10:26 pm

A+ is too easy for you...

Go to more challenge certification...

Like Svr+

oddduck

2003-03-26, 10:58 pm

I've seen some jobs around here like decent paying ones that look for a+ as an optional on top of a bunch of others (like MCSA, CCNA etc). Alot of job's dont require it, but it's a bonus, and I guess if the interview you can prove you know it anyway, the certificate just backs it up.

Marianne/oddduck

almawy

2003-03-28, 12:18 am

I looked into some books and did free online tests for the A+ and it was ok and easy for me, so my questions is how the real questions of Comptia will look like, is there any place that I can buy a bundle almost similar to the real questions ?

Thanks

mir92

2003-03-28, 5:11 am

Try examdrill.com I used the network+ version and the pratice tests were real close to the real test format ,but I did'nt use examdrill for A+ cert,just from seening Network+ version, I would beleve that the A+ version would be real close to the real test format.

darthw

2003-03-28, 8:45 am

quote:
I don't want to be the lone wolf here, but the A+ is kind of a joke. He already has the experience, why waste his time getting a worthless cert

I disagree with Btroadman about the A+ certification, and really about all the CompTIA certifications, but especially about A+. Of all CompTIA's programs, A+ is the most highly recognized. Also, I learned a lot studying for the exam, and for every other CompTIA exam. The CompTIA stuff is great as a foundation in many technologies. Certainly, I don't think many of the other CompTIA certs have the recognition that A+ does. CDIA+ is really recognized in the document imaging industry, but most other IT areas have never heard of it. And I think Network+ and Server+ are growing in popularity as I've spoken with many techs with these certs.

Keep in mind that many of CompTIA's certs are "new", and haven't been around for years and years. Many of us getting CompTIA certs have just been in the industry for a few years, but as we move up the ladders in our careers, we take the knowledge of what these certification programs can provide. So, I suspect, in time, many of the other CompTIA certs will be more heavily recognized.

btroadman

2003-03-28, 9:43 am

If you want to land a job changing video cards and CDRoms out making $10/hour, then definately go for your A+. As far as CompTIA, CIW, and all the other "VENDOR NEUTRAL" certs out there. Stay away from them. You are wasting valuable time and resources that could be put toward something else. Someone mentioned HP or DELL certs, those are at least centralized. CompTIA is the very basics. Don't waste your time.

DivxGuy

2003-04-03, 9:36 pm

quote:
but it the hardware he likes. that's why it was suggested. we also suggested he try hp or dell certs.

I don't know about NY, but in this area, hardware technicians make slightly more than minimum wage. Here, when jobs were still available (about three years ago), the above-average salaries came through software skills like SAP, database administration, and development.

RD

iApple

2003-04-04, 9:17 pm

GET A DEGREE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
!!!!!!!!!!!!

DivxGuy

2003-04-04, 9:45 pm

I agree; if you're really intent on making it in IT today, you are best off with a degree.

RD

chodan

2003-04-10, 8:04 pm

While I disagree that A+ is a joke as someone said I do think that with 6 years PC experience under your belt it might not be the best next step.
Maybe look at an Server+ or MCP with your sights on an MCSE.
That is with the provision that your PC experience is not just user experience but support.
I'm not sure how many times I've seen people say "I've been doing computers for X amount of years" only to find they have only been using them for years not service or support.
Also six years in PC support sounds like a major rut to me, I'd say its definately motivation time.
As for college that is never a bad idea.
I wish I had pursued it when I was younger.
It is not, however, the only path into IT.
If your goal is software development or database management then its great, but if your goal is Network/systems administration you will spend 4 years getting a degree when you could have 4 years of real world experience. And speaking as a IT manager I would take someone with 1 1/2 or 2 years of solid experience over someone with a 4 year degree for network/systems administration all else being equal.
Now if you can find a way to get your degree while working and gaining the needed experience the you will win all the way around. :-)

darthw

2003-04-11, 7:55 am

I certainly agree with iApple. If you've got the time, flexibility, etc. whether now or after you gain more cash, go after a degree.

And in spite of 6 years experience, I think A+ is still your best first step to affirm your knowledge and gain some cert. recognition for a job. If you have 6 years of strong PC support experience - as chodan states, you'll probably have to study little to gain the cert very quickly. A+ is noted on probably a 1/3 of the jobs I see advertised, as well as MCSE, CCNA, etc.

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