*Rollover A+/Network+ to ETA certification CST and CNST*

porengo

Olajuwon wrote:

Certifications don't get you jobs. They get you to the interview and that's where the employer decides who is more competent for the position. Having overlapped certifications on your resume is not going to help much.

Ah! But how are you going to get the job if you don't get the interview? Getting a job in the IT industry isn't like it was back in the Dot Com boom days. Most technologists were swamped with job offers right after obtaining their certifications. However, this is no longer the case. So, any advantage you can get over the other guy will get you closer to that job. Even if it means overlapping certifications. You must remember, most of the time it's non-technical people who are scanning the resumes for potential interview candidates.

Another area where overlapping certs help is in consulting work. Let's say that you've decided to start your own computer repair business, and a potential (non-computer literate) customer comes across your ad. And within your ad you've listed all of your certifications (including your ETA-I certs). Now let's assume that this potential client works with people in the bio-med, or satellite, or cabling/fiber field. This client may be aware of ETA-I certifications and not CompTIA, or Cisco , or Microsoft certs. The chances of that potential client selecting you to do work for them has just increased.

The IT industry is a highly competative one. Don't limit yourself by not thinking outside of the box and exploring the possibilities.

nama

it's been 3 weeks and I've not received my CST certificate.

porengo

Webmaster wrote:

Please allow upwards approximately of 8 weeks for your cool lapel pin, wallet card, and certification to arrive by mail.

nama

porengo wrote:

Webmaster wrote:

Please allow upwards approximately of 8 weeks for your cool lapel pin, wallet card, and certification to arrive by mail.

I was about to send a mail to them and ask about it.

Dionysus

nama wrote:

I was about to send a mail to them and ask about it.

Don't feel bad... I did send the email...

nama

Dionysus wrote:

Don't feel bad... I did send the email...

how long did you wait before you decided to send the mail?

Dionysus

it was about 3 weeks I think.

Tcat

Folks in the 50 states should have or will have their paper and pins this week.

APO/FPO leave by saturday.

Internationals go Air Mail by Friday.

From here, roll overs will arrive 4-14 days after placement with verification of CompTIA status. About the same time to get into the members only area with all the data available to ETA-I.org members.

The ramp up took this long to get the moderized style pins to be made, work out "features" of shipping to APO/FPO and International mail, yada yada.

That is why we said 6-8 weeks. It took that long to just get stuff ordered, created and shipped.

Early shipments you will notice are on paper with tape holding the postage and address in place. The custom sized labels for shipping arrive next week. A labor nightmare, but a label wasn't holding us back. No pins was and the nighmare of a 2nd shipment and 'did George get ALL his metal pins?', etc... we just had to wait.

I have heard of exactly one error and it was caused by a single glitch in the automation. Several have *NOT* shipped because:

The requester has not validated A+ and or Network+

or

someone entered a bad address and the Post Office is not verifying it is a good address. Yes we are checking and rechecking to that level. Phone calls have been made asking to verify addresses.

Thank you for hanging in during ramp up. GO use the real features of all the excellent data in the members only area at eta-i.org

Best,
Tcat

davidh

Look at their list of companies "City of Lodi" as one of the companies? I dont see any big corps on this list and seems like a scam. If you have A+ and all you have to do is pay to get certified, I dont see the point.

supertechCETma

davidh wrote:

Look at their list of companies ... I dont see any big corps on this list ...

hmmm, I've heard of these guys and they are on the list.

AT&T
BestBuy
BF Goodrich
Cingular Wireless
Circuit City
Coca Cola
ComCast
DuPont
Exxon
FedEx
Ford Motor company
General Electric
General Dynamics
Georgia Pacific
Halliburton
Harrah's Casino
Hewlett Packard
Honeywell NASA
International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW)
Infineon Technology
J Paul Getty Trust
Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Dept
Lockheed Martin Corp
Motorola
Naval Surface Warfare Center
NBC
New York City Transit
Northrop Grumman IT
Pacific Bell/SBC
Raytheon
Raytheon Missile Systems
Raytheon RTSC Logistic & Training
Raytheon Technical Services Guam
Rolls-Royce
Siemens Transit Technologies
Sprint PCS
Tennessee Valley Authority
Texas Instruments
Tyco Electronics
United States Gypsum Co
US Border Patrol
US Dept of State
US DOD
US Secret Service/TSD
Verizon
Weyerhaeuser
White House Communication Agy
Xerox Corp

but don't feel bad. they probably never heard of you either.

DarklyWise

..I don't know how exclusive this is - I checked into eta-i last Fall and they offered the roll-overs then....

Tcat

Sure. ETA-I .ORG has had rollovers since Moses brought down the tablets.

Exclusive is turn around time and the extra goodies (say +/- 2,000 well researched practice exam questions for MS/CompTIA <and working Cisco & Novell>.

All folks who are current ETA-I.ORG members get the latest goodies online, regardless of vendor.

IMHO.... anyone who complains about this offer has not seen the data offered to member only @ eta-i.org or downloaded any of the included stuff @studyexam4less.com that is way beyond ETA-I.org and CompTIA stuff (and growing).

I know I *personally* learned more about LCD monitors from an ETA-I.ORG article than I ever knew. And I do research for a living/job. I'm old enough to know how to value my research time. The combo offer is a dream come true.

Go ahead, send sour grapes over an incredible offer. Just remember your name is found by everyone including employers by Google. The forewarned is indeed forarmed.

Tcat

Megadeth4168

I do have to say that the practice tests from Studyexam4Less are well worth the purchase alone.

I've gone through the security+ one a couple times and it is tough... Funny thing is that on a few questions I said No Way, I have to be right on that one and it forced me to go look up the answer and of course I was wrong and the material on the test is correct. Very nicely done.

rbowman

supertechCETma wrote:

kalebksp wrote:

In most cases I would agree. Something I forgot to mention was that it's possible that this could also do a disservice to the people that don't want to buy them. Why would a non-tech HR person hire an applicant with only two certs over one with four? Everything else equal the one with four would probably get the job. I don't think I'm the only person that would rather get a job on my own merits than by playing "who spent more money on a piece of paper." I'm not telling anyone not to go and spend their money on those certs, I'm just giving them something to think about.

If you did the rollover and stopped there your argument might have merit. You are, however, thinking in the old CompTIA mindset where you get your paper and that's it.

The rollover serves as an introduction to the Electronics Technicians Association - International. This is an organization with which I am proud to be member. I am a technician by trade. I appreciate an organization that exists as a resource for ME. CompTIA will take your money and that's it. The ETA provides opportunities such as personal networking, additional certifications that can enhance my career, and avenues in which I can grow both personally and professionally.

I think you view professional organizations in the wrong light. It should not be "what's in it for me?" It should be more of a "How can I get more involved and improve myself and my profession?"

ETA has given me opportunities to improve my writing, presentation skills, and customer relations skills. I regularly communicate through the Association with peers in academia and industry. I serve on committees to develop and revise certification competencies. I am a better technician for it. It's not just the letters behind your name that will impress prospective employers. Leadership positions, committee participation, industry involvement is what will seperate you from others in the job market. I'm not just spouting off a bunch of Association rhetoric, this is based on personal experience. My participation has truly enhanced my career.

You should think beyond simply IT. You limit yourself greatly.

After seeing this Im definitly going back and getting my A+. You can never have too many friends and if you do have too many then send a few my way! I plan on being a part of anything and everything that will help me grow in knowledge and in the field of IT/Networking. My college also offers free retakes of previous classes so this should be a snap to get recertified in these areas when needed.

Tcat also quoted spiderman...who can argue with spiderman?!

rainman03

Does this in any way, shape or form affect my A+ or Net+ certs? I've busted my butt to get them and I'd hate to see anything happen to them!


Is it really just as simple as passing the 3 exams to be net+ and a+ and then paying the money and you have another cert?

Sorry if this has been asked, it's a long topic!

Thanks for the input!

jpeezy55

I just got my CST Certificate in the mail on Friday! It came with the certificate, a membership certificate, lapel pin, and giant (5" round) sticker for ETA. It does not affect the original certs at all.

And to answer one question, it was just as simple as taking care of payment to them and the going to the CompTIA site and sending your info that you passed on to them also and you get your Cert and Membership for the year.

It's nice to be able to add another cert to the list, and if the boss doesn't know how it came about, then that's better for me!!!

Can't wait to pass Net+ and then contact ETA again to get my CNST.

Tcat

Following up on the qualifications for on-going education....

I got my notice that I have to pay my $25 and prove I'm still making an effort to improve myself. I was a little susprised to get a Nov. notice until I realized it is a few hours away from June and some folks may have been eating potato chips all year, so get your 10 hours in.

The form really is easy. Write in say, what trade show you went to and put your admission badge in an enevelope with $25. Done. I'm not even going to do that. I'm going to enter a url where ETA can see me speaking @ their own trade show

I'll take on the ETA and Studyexam4less to make this an email reminder with a one page PDF to fill out.

I want to remind everyone that ETA also has a component CompTIA dropped from A+ in the 90's. Customer Service. I cleaned their clock in a membership meeting since the CS portion could not be validated since none of the test creators we're trained in CS or psychology and therefore open to a lawsuit.

ETA has the CSS test (Customer Service Specialist) test. Brain dead easy if you have any experience working with the public. I don't know if it applies to your ongoing study stuff... I will ask. I think the test is $75. When someone asks what does it mean that I am a CSS, I tell them

"I'm certified to know how to tell a client how to go to hell in such a way they are looking forward to the trip." That always get a very positive reaction

Tcat

methoselah

nm

rainman03

I did it! I have the CompTIA certs, i'm just waiting for the slow paypal stuff to get through...I was dumb and did it that way! This seems like a great idea and gives you a great resume booster!

ESOK

After thinking about it, I think getting your CNST is worth it. By the way, looks like you should get both the CST and the CNST. The ETA is offering something different than the CompTIA. Here are factors that make it worthwhile:

1. Becoming a CET ( Certified Electronics Technician ).

Rolling over your A+ and Network+ to CNST allows you to then go for the CET. Employers may recognize the ETA, other ETA certifications, or the fact that the individual is interesting in advancing their profession.

You are only going to get so far with just A+ and/or Network+, by using the CompTIA certs to get your MCSE/MCSA, CNST/CET, etc... you are putting them to good use. This is professional growth beyond what CompTIA is offering. Furthermore, the CETa exam is worth college credit.

2. The ETA offers other certifications.

I put in a lot of time as a LAN cabling installer and Fiber Optic tech. The ETA offers certification programs for this. A lot of Network Administrators, either had experience in this area (cabling and/or fiber optics), would like to attain knowledge in these areas, or need to know this type of information.

The ETA is offering more than just adding extra letters on your resume. I think many CompTIA certified people should consider ETA's offer and think about other areas in electronics that they want to consider or think about other areas in the ISO/OSI 7 layer model ( http://www.qsl.net/n9zia/ARtalk/layer.html ) that they want to attain more knowledge in.


For any CETs already out there.

1. Do you have to take the CETa (associate) exam in order to earn your CET?

Does just rolling over to CNST, allow you to pick up the CET?

2. Can you skip taking Senior Tech. and/or Journeyman and go for the Master Tech. exam (if you meet the qualifications)?

3. Can you take the CETa exam and the Senior Tech. Exam at the same time?


P.S.- I think this should be in the general section as oppose to the Network+ section. The discussion about CNST, CET, etc... is beyond just Network+.

Tcat

Ok, here is the answers to the questions.

1. Do you have to take the CETa (associate) exam in order to earn your
CET?

Yes, the technical way it is completed at ETA is that you can
take a Journeyman option and the Associate exam at the same time. You
must have the CETa to move on unless you are taking just stand alone
exams. Example, I hold the CNST but have not taken any of the Associate
level exams. ETA policy is that the examinee has two years experience
and or schooling when taking the Associate with the Journeyman exam. If
they have less than two years experience, then they take just the
Associate by it self.

Does just rolling over to CNST, allow you to pick up the CET?

No, rolling over the CNST does not allow you to pick up the CET.


2. Can you skip taking Senior Tech. and/or Journeyman and go for the
Master Tech. exam (if you meet the qualifications)?

Yes, If you have the qualifications, (experience, education) you
can skip the Senior, and/or the Journeyman levels and go straight to the
Master level, as long as you have the Associate certification. They can
take the Associate at the time of testing for the Master. You must take
six of the Journeyman options to qualify for the Master level.

3. Can you take the CETa exam and the Senior Tech. Exam at the same
time?

Yes, this is how most techs take their exams to obtain the
highest level that they can at a cost effect price. Please go to our
website at http://www.eta-i.org/ExamFees.html for pricing and
http://www.eta-i.org/CET.html for information about our levels of
certification.

I hope this helps and let me know if you have future questions.

Best regards,

Arlene G. Tincher, CNST

IT Support

Tcat

Are getting a little refresh. Actually CNST is done, and CST is in progress. Anyone who is already a CST is open to help update the exam...

Webmaster

Tcat wrote:

Anyone who is already a CST is open to help update the exam...

Interesting. Who should one contact if one would be willing to help?

Tcat

Drop Arline an email or give her a call.

I wanted to help out with this one however my move to Mexico has taken considerbly more time money and energy than I first planned.

Reality is I'm not going to see daylight until Sept.

Webmaster

Reality is I'm not going to see daylight until Sept.

There's goes your chance to get a tan

What's are the major differences between the old and new CNST and current and future CST?

Tcat

The big changes really are keeping with tech... Today AMD no longer makes CPU's with a single CPU, everything is dual core.

I hope they add a question demo'ing knowledge that Mac can dual boot

CNST IMO needs good wireless questions... anyone notice that early 802.11 early N stuff isn't getting the speed boosts we where hyped with?

The actual test questions and scope will of course be determined by those doing the work

And these are areas I noticed to be lacking in the 2006 test world.

bzdziagwa

Hi folks,
Does anyone know something about promotion or where to find/how to get promo code for CompTIA-> ETA cert rollover?

Regards
B.

RussS

hey boss .... can I have a pay rise

Tcat

Promo codes and pay raises...

No promo codes for saving $ as the program is running on a Very Thin Budget. I am a volunteer, but spending my own time and money to make this happen. I am not being "Mr. Nice Guy." This is so we ALL have letters/certification that we can afford.

As for pay raises... SURE! Effective Right Now! I am granting Everyone 1000% of what I have gotten so far. So, gee... My Feb. 2006 expenses for ETA we're only $1000 for going to the trade-show. ETA paid my $300 entry fee so I could do some speaking engagements... so my net loss for Feb was so far the greatest this year at $700 that month...

So... 700. x 1000 would be 700,000 humm.. Humm... maybe we can all earn that by making the cert better known! With A+ costing $500 in Jan... and CST still being $75 in the USA...

I am spilling the beans here that ETA is working with another group for more cert/letters... I cannot talk yet as the ink isn't on the paper yet...

For now, let's just say having a CNST will be worth more than a Network+ or a MCP (all will have some value --- just some will have more value than others)

I'm still working on the "what you get" to make this the no brainer choice of the year. Yeah... I'm doing this for free too. What else do ya do when your the old man? Even Bill and Melinda are giving away most of their money...

I will give this hint for the next bag o tricks. It will not be Big $$ out of pocket. But you will have to agree to a code of ethics. The name of the next game will be professionalism.

bzdziagwa

I asked because I found "Promo Code" option in my Shopping Cart on studyexam4less site
In my opinion the price for cert rollover is promotion itself.

You always can ask if you dont know something...Right ?;)
Then let me ask about the shipping costs... I found info that

"One Flat fee Shipping charges to worldwide customers ( Only $5 added to price )"

Im not sure if this charge is included into price or I need to pay additional 5$ for every product?

Regards
B.