I'm 16 y/o and I'm still in school(graduation year 2004). Since april 2002 I'm with MCP status and I'm wondering what will be the best future cert for me - MCSA or CCNA? Any advices?

__________________
Using a digital nervous system

Report this post to a moderator

Finish school! Consider higher education! Why do all of the teenagers want to rush into the computer room???

Consider this - very young, too many certifications, no experience or higher education - not the profile the hiring manager in today's market is looking for.

Sorry if this is harsh, but it's still very early for me here and I'm only dealing in reality today. New resolve for me this morning

__________________
The supreme accomplishment is to blur the line between work and play.
---------------------------------------
We have enough youth, how about a fountain of smart?

Report this post to a moderator

Congrats on becoming an MCP at such a young age! Which Microsoft exam did you take? If you're interested in the material, go for the Microsoft track. If Cisco's appealing to you, go for it.

I'm assuming that you're not working in this field yet. If that's incorrect then please ignore the rest of this.

If you're not sure, consider the A+ exams. They will compliment either track and this cert is a big deal in the eyes of those who hire for entry level positions which I'm assuming is what you're going for. I've met more then a few MCSEs who didn't know how to replace a failed NIC or video card which is pathetic IMO for someone holding this cert. I'm not saying that this would be you, but having your A+ would reduce a potential employer's fears of this sort of thing.

I'm with Pavlov about finishing school, but by all means, get some certs while you're still in if you think this is a field that you want to persue. If you're planning on going to college afterwards then believe me, a lot of your free time's going to disapear. I achieved 4/6 of my current certs while in high school and am glad I did. They helped me land my first network administration job in the summer between my junior and senior years.

Also, see if you can volunteer to help the network admin at your school. My school's admin was more then happy to get some free help and it looks great on a resume. I ended up doing a lot of grunt work, but i learned a lot too.

Report this post to a moderator

quote:

---

Originally posted by Pavlov
[BWhy do all of the teenagers want to rush into the computer room???[/B]

---

Because they're so cool

Report this post to a moderator

I agree with the previous posts.....Go to college and have fun. Get laid, party, and get your degree.

__________________
KEVKID

"There is no spoon"

Report this post to a moderator

Whatever you do, make a way for college in your future. In my area the estimate is that only 20% of job seekers (not just IT) have a Bachelor's. With most jobs requiring or preferring a degree you'll only help to put yourself on the top of the list of applicants with a degree and some certs, particularly all completed in your early 20s.

Report this post to a moderator

Thanks for your advices guys & gals!
I'll finish school and then I'll go to a college, of course! But you don't understand me correctly. My question was which cert to take next(during my free time)- MCSA or CCNA?

I think I'm going to complete my MCSA!

__________________
Using a digital nervous system

Report this post to a moderator

quote:

---

Originally posted by kevkid
Go to college and have fun. Get laid.

---

I agree! Get as much as you can, while you can.

I'd personally go for MCSA. But you're also looking at 4 exams as oppossed to just 1 for CCNA.

__________________
"I was planning to take over the world, but got distracted by something sparkly..."

Report this post to a moderator

Consider this first:

Certifications expire - 4 yr Degrees dont!

You can get certs while in school and get experience working part time for some company. Most companies love hiring college students.

Certs are not what you need to be ahead of the pack! Most of the guys here with tons of certs will tell you that it isnt enough!


Stay in school now - It will be harder later to go to school.

Trust me - I am 34 and I cannot get back in!

__________________
Restart and Try again!

Report this post to a moderator

quote:

---

Originally posted by Spid

But you're also looking at 4 exams as oppossed to just 1 for CCNA.

---

__________________
Using a digital nervous system

Report this post to a moderator