I have A+ and Network+ certifications. I got them about 2yrs ago. I have 2 yrs. experience working at a university as one of there 2 computer techs. They hired me to help them recover from a fire. Then after they got everything up and running, they wanted to downsize the CIS dept. I had the lowest seniority so they let me go.

Currently I am working at a factory here in town just to pay the bills. I found a network technician position open in Chattanooga (maybe some of ya know where it is). They are asking for at least 5 mos experience, some schooling (which I have), and the salary range is 23k to 35k. If they ask for my salary preference, what should I ask for?

I was also wondering what you guys think about jobs in the IT industry, is the market flooded with too many people?

I really don't have much interest in changing careers. I guess I'm just looking for reassurance in my chosen field.

I want to keep advancing, and get more certs., but kind of wondering what will yield the best oppurtunity for me. Is MCSE worth the effort and money? If so, which should I study? The W2k or XP? Before I was really wanting to get the CCNP, but was considering MSCE for job advancement?

I'm really needing some help in choosing my future, and I really appreciate any help you guys can give.

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The IT job market is a bit weak at the moment, but I wouldn't give it up as a career. Those of us who show an ability to learn and keep learning will still have good opportunities in the future.

As for salary range, just give a range "mid thirties", "lower thirties", etc.. Give a range you think is fair for the skills you have, and will provide for the company. Is it a salary position in which you may be working a lot of extra hours, nights, and weekends? If so, I'd aim for a higher salary to make it more worth your while. If you mainly want the experience, go for the mid-twenties, and you may get the job just beacuse you're "cheap labor". However, then you may find yourself "working for peanuts" with no chance of a substantial raise. I think you could aim for lower thirties, at the least, with your experience.

Choose your certs based on your job responsibilities and your goals. There are a lot of MCSEs around, but if you're doing a lot of Microsoft work, then it's going to benefit you. CCNP may provide you with more opportunities because fewer people have it, but you may not get those opportunities until you have a couple more years around IT.
Currently I am supporting a Netware shop in an administrator role, hence I decided to get more comfortable with the product and go for CNE. I delayed MCSE/MCSA upgrades because I work with few new Microsoft products as our company hasn't upgraded to XP yet. I have Associate level certs in Cisco, because I do a little work with Cisco equipment, but be have another team that handles the design and implementation pieces.
Again, base your decision on what you are doing, and what you want to do.

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Thanks. I appreciate your help. As of yet I'm not working, so I dont really have a specific area I need to focus on. And since I dont have an IT job yet, I want to work on what will be more beneficial in landing me a position. If I am going to go for MCSE, are most companies going to W2K or XP? If you were me which would you go for?

Also, what companies are more likely to need someone with the knowledge that a CCNP and CCNA would have? Are they mostly going to be located in big cities?

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You'll want to check Microsoft's site on the latest certifications levels for MCSE/MCSA. a\Although I think most of it is still the 2000 track, with .NET there is likely to be a newer version of MCSE/MCSA. I'd go for the latest version of MCSE, then go back and study for and test for "filler" certifications. For instance if you take Windows XP OS exams to earn MCSE, go back and take the 2000 Professional exam to be aware of the differences.

My company is going to Windows XP in a year, or so. We are a Netware server shop, so we won't be doing much with MS server stuff except, perhaps, a couple internet servers.

As for Cisco stuff, obviously a large company is going to have positions in which one administers only Cisco equipment as a full time position. CCNP in this environment would help a lot. However, in my case we pretty much just assist the CCNPs and CCIEs setting up the switches and routers at our sites, so the CCNA level is fine for me to get a foundational level of knowledge. At another company where I worked, both LAN Admins did configure and support twenty, or so, switches, but that was one of many support responsibilities. At their level CCNA was plenty adequate.
If you need the job badly, consider your salary needs. Just keep in mind whether the job is worth the pay and vice versa. Big cities would obviously have more opps., but I don't think there is much of anything around with the job market in the dump at the moment.

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I concur get your certs based on what you are doing now.

I work in a novell shop too thats the only reason I am considering the CNA/CNE track.


Just keep on learning as much as you can.

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