I have the certs you see in my profile, and was planning to pursue the MCSA/E and CCNP, but I know the company I work for is really wanting me to think about the MCSD.

I'm aware it's a jump, but I need to know how far it is.

I have NO programming experience.

Are we talking about a leap across one of the great lakes or across the Pacific?

Basically, should I even believe getting the level of knowledge I would need to be a MCSD (good one) is possible in a self-study, one-to-one-and-a-half-year period?

Thanks in advance.

nordie

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hi nordie
networking & programming is 2 different world. I have been on that area before. I was a system administrator for 2 years before I land my job as Appl Dev & DBA now.

If you want to get MCSD but do not have any progr experience, forget it. You need about 1 year to get sufficient experience with intensif project If your aim is just the mcsd, maybe you will get it within 3 month, but paper certified is not recommended, and it will kill your career.

MCSD test your knowledge on the advance level of programing, believe me. If you are already familiar with COM, DLL, ActiveX, and DB Design , go on. If not, you need some projects to make your skill enough to cramm 4 MCSD stuff

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mchoirul:

Thanks for the advice. I've guessed as much, but I needed someone who knows to convince me.

nordie

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He who has imagination without learning has wings but no feet. — Joseph Joubert

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welcome,
good luck on your career

trust your networking skill, and prove with more certs on it.

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Thanks guys, I was thinking along the same lines. I always end up getting discouraged when I consider changing to programming

So confused.

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zsolt67:

I've since gotten more advice:

"First, actually work on small projects; build your knowledge base and some programming skills; see how good you are, how you like it, etc. Don't just go in cold turkey trying to gain certs."

Really, it makes sense - that's how I started networking....

nordie

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He who has imagination without learning has wings but no feet. — Joseph Joubert

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With programming, you shouldn't even think about certification for a long time. You really should at least take one actaull class, possibly a night class. Realistically, you may want to look at a Junior college offering a night course on C/C++ and then maybe you will be able to study on your own from there. It is quite different..
-neural

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and you must have at least 2 -3 real projects before the exams. Although it's only small project

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