what now

So i have finally gotten my CCNA 3 weeks ago and I'm in my last quarter of college. I need advice on what to do next as far as certifications go. I would like to stick to infrastructure side of things but since I have no experience in an enterprise enterprise environment I'm shooting for desktop support/helpdesk.

I started to study for my CCNA security but I when I was looking at jobs and the knowledge requirements i felt weak on the the systems side of things they were asking for.

so i was thinking that it would be more advantageous for me to have a couple of MS certs maybe try for MCSA. Do you think that the MCSA would be to much paper not enough experience? i've borrowed the 70-270 MS press book, would that be a good starting point?

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dynamik

You could always do the MCDST which is 271 and 272 and the upgrade that to MCITP: Enterprise Support Technician with 621. You could probably get through those pretty fast since they're just XP and Vista. If you go for an MCSA, you'll probably be looking 6-8 months out for completion, and the MCSA doesn't carry a lot of weight, so you should really be looking at an MCSE long-term. I think your best bet would be to start with the desktop support certs and then work on one of the longer tracks once you have a job. You can also use 621 for your client OS requirement for the MCSA and MCSE, so you'll be one closer to those if you go that route as well.

Phliplip112

Wonder how I totally forgot about the MCDST since it is for desktop support. the least number of exams the better.why doesn't the MCSA worth any thing? seems like it would carry more weight than the MCDST

edit :i just looked on MS's web site and it doesn't say that the 621 counts as towards anything in the MCSE. it says the 620 does but I don't see where it says the 621 doe

dynamik

Phliplip112 wrote:

why doesn't the MCSA worth any thing? seems like it would be better than the MCDST

Yea, it is. It's probably just marketing. I'm not talking about it's actual value; I'm talking about what it means to the people hiring you. A lot of people simply haven't heard of it or don't know a lot about it.

Phliplip112

Phliplip112 wrote:

edit :i just looked on MS's web site and it doesn't say that the 621 counts as towards anything in the MCSE. it says the 620 does but I don't see where it says the 621 doe

Nevermind i found it

Note Exam 70-621 can be used as credit for any certification requiring Exam 70-620: TS: Windows Vista, Configuring, as a required or elective exam. In other words, Exam 70-621 satisfies the Exam 70-620 requirement in all cases.

I cant say that I have seen any jobs preferring MCDST either. I do see a lot of MCP though

jamesp1983

I guess I was a rare case. The MCSA opened up another world of possibilities to me.

dynamik

Phliplip112 wrote:

Note Exam 70-621 can be used as credit for any certification requiring Exam 70-620: TS: Windows Vista, Configuring, as a required or elective exam. In other words, Exam 70-621 satisfies the Exam 70-620 requirement in all cases.

Yea, that little bit of information is kind of hard to come across. I don't know why they don't put a little foot note wherever 620 is listed.

Phliplip112 wrote:

I cant say that I have seen any jobs preferring MCDST either. I do see a lot of MCP though

I see a lot of people going for it. It'd be interesting to hear from people who have it. Are you looking at a lot of entry-level jobs? I'm not sure how much those types of positions would be advertised (i.e. I typically see MCSE-level jobs advertised).

You'll also get an MCP when you pass 271 or 272. You'll get an MCTS (which is sort of like the new MCP) when you do 621. So when you're done, you'll be: MCP, MCTS, MCDST, MCITP: Enterprise Support Technician.

blargoe

You have enough certs for now, you would be best served looking for some work. Don't wait until you graduate, that's what everyone else is going to do!

Andretii

blargoe wrote:

You have enough certs for now, you would be best served looking for some work. Don't wait until you graduate, that's what everyone else is going to do!

Phliplip112

dynamik wrote:

Are you looking at a lot of entry-level jobs? I'm not sure how much those types of positions would be advertised (i.e. I typically see MCSE-level jobs advertised).

yea pretty much helpdesk/desktop support type jobs. Most of these jobs seemed to be advertised by recruiters though if that matters. Sometimes these jobs say they require MCSE, but I apply anyway because its just the silly HR person putting it on there and not knowing what it is.

blargoe wrote:

You have enough certs for now, you would be best served looking for some work. Don't wait until you graduate, that's what everyone else is going to do!

I have been looking for a job for entry level job for years starting when I got my A+ in '05. I didn't get my first job working on computers where I currently work till like fall of '07. Its also hard to count my current job as "IT experience" because the PCs are not connected to a network, and I don't support any users. At least it got me out of working retail

Lately, though it seems the entry level jobs are almost non existent.

MCPWannabe

Phliplip112 wrote:

dynamik wrote:

Are you looking at a lot of entry-level jobs? I'm not sure how much those types of positions would be advertised (i.e. I typically see MCSE-level jobs advertised).

yea pretty much helpdesk/desktop support type jobs. Most of these jobs seemed to be advertised by recruiters though if that matters. Sometimes these jobs say they require MCSE, but I apply anyway because its just the silly HR person putting it on there and not knowing what it is.

blargoe wrote:

You have enough certs for now, you would be best served looking for some work. Don't wait until you graduate, that's what everyone else is going to do!

I have been looking for a job for entry level job for years starting when I got my A+ in '05. I didn't get my first job working on computers where I currently work till like fall of '07. Its also hard to count my current job as "IT experience" because the PCs are not connected to a network, and I don't support any users. At least it got me out of working retail

Lately, though it seems the entry level jobs are almost non existent.

I've certainly been in this situation before.. I spent 7 years in a call center trying to get a Desktop Support Job. What I can tell you is that you are doing something wrong. You have too much experience and certifications to not be able to find a desktop job.

What you are doing wrong would be hard to tell from here. But I know what my extended time in a call center environment was due to me doing some things wrong in the application process due to inexperience and not knowing how to present myself to employers.

Look at people who have successfully found jobs and retool your resume and qualifications to match.

Phliplip112

MCPWannabe wrote:

What you are doing wrong would be hard to tell from here. But I know what my extended time in a call center environment was due to me doing some things wrong in the application process due to inexperience and not knowing how to present myself to employers.

What things did you find out you were doing wrong and what did you do to fix them. Maybe I am doing some of the same thing

MCPWannabe wrote:

Look at people who have successfully found jobs and retool your resume and qualifications to match.

I don't know many successful IT people. I mean IT people in general really.

I think I will do the MCDST and then leave it at that for a while. I feel that it will help reinforce what i know can compliment my hardware skills. Sometimes I think I may have over certified myself with the CCNA

zen master

jimmypizzle83 wrote:

I guess I was a rare case. The MCSA opened up another world of possibilities to me.

Not really. It's more or less on par with MCSE where I'm from.

famosbrown

Phliplip112 wrote:

So i have finally gotten my CCNA 3 weeks ago and I'm in my last quarter of college. I need advice on what to do next as far as certifications go. I would like to stick to infrastructure side of things but since I have no experience in an enterprise enterprise environment I'm shooting for desktop support/helpdesk.

I started to study for my CCNA security but I when I was looking at jobs and the knowledge requirements i felt weak on the the systems side of things they were asking for.

so i was thinking that it would be more advantageous for me to have a couple of MS certs maybe try for MCSA. Do you think that the MCSA would be to much paper not enough experience? i've borrowed the 70-270 MS press book, would that be a good starting point?

What school are you attending and what is your major? What is your ultimate goal in I.T.? Where do you see yourself or what type of position would you like to be in 1 year, 5 years, and 10 years?

Phliplip112

famosbrown wrote:

What school are you attending and what is your major?

I go to Gwinnett Technical college my degree is an A.A.S Networking Specialist.

famosbrown wrote:

What is your ultimate goal in I.T.?

One thing I have always wanted to be able to do was build small/medium sized networks from scratch, I love hanging out in wiring closets every chance i get . Also things security related intrigue me greatly.

So I guess you could say I would like to have my main focus on infrastructure/security and have like certs for 2 diff vendors in that area i.e cisco/nortel or cisco/juniper. Then some server knowledge with Microsoft certs or something.

sorry if the above doesn't make any sense

famosbrown wrote:

Where do you see yourself or what type of position would you like to be in 1 year, 5 years, and 10 years?

In one year I suppose it would be helpdesk/desktop support. In 5 years i hope to be at the network tech support level, In 10 years i hope i could achieve Network Engineer if its at all realistic.

famosbrown

I think you are off on the right track so far going to get your associates and beginning your certification track.

It also looks like you do not see management or supervision in the long term and want to be stay technical, which is fine as well. You can do all things and do anything if you set your mind to it. You could be a Network Engineer in 5 years if you want to and believe you can. If you do pick up a helpdesk/desktop support job soon, do not ever stop putting your resume out there, filling out applications, and continuing your certification track. I was a Tier 2 Desktop Support type supervisor for less than a year and someone gave me a chance as a Systems Administrator without Systems Administrator experience. I continued with my certification studies and proved that I was ready with the interview questions and hands-on testing.

As far as certifications, I recommend studying for the Security+, and maybe picking up a book or class on Windows Server 2008 and/or Vista. With your CCNA, I don't think you need to mess with Network+, but that's my opinion. If you are really serious about networking and love Cisco, just continue on the Cisco path...there is PLENTY of money on that track! I know a few people, have worked with some, that have landed some pretty high paying jobs for just having a degree and Cisco certification. Someone gave them an opportunity and they lucked out by skipping the helpdesk/desktop support by showing them that their skills would be wasted at that level. Some kept applying, got the interview and showed them that they knew their stuff although just graduating college and some applied for those desktop support jobs, interviewed, and the employer said wow...we need you somewhere else other than Help Desk. They all had a similar path as you...2 year Networking degree and Cisco certification.

Good luck!!

Phliplip112

famosbrown wrote:

I think you are off on the right track so far going to get your associates and beginning your certification track.

It also looks like you do not see management or supervision in the long term and want to be stay technical, which is fine as well.

i don't mind being a leader of a small group of 3-5 people as long as i still get to do hands on technical stuff. Other than that, this is a correct assumption.

famosbrown wrote:

I was a Tier 2 Desktop Support type supervisor for less than a year and someone gave me a chance as a Systems Administrator without Systems Administrator experience. I continued with my certification studies and proved that I was ready with the interview questions and hands-on testing.

As far as certifications, I recommend studying for the Security+, and maybe picking up a book or class on Windows Server 2008 and/or Vista. With your CCNA, I don't think you need to mess with Network+, but that's my opinion. If you are really serious about networking and love Cisco, just continue on the Cisco path...there is PLENTY of money on that track! I know a few people, have worked with some, that have landed some pretty high paying jobs for just having a degree and Cisco certification. Someone gave them an opportunity and they lucked out by skipping the helpdesk/desktop support by showing them that their skills would be wasted at that level. Some kept applying, got the interview and showed them that they knew their stuff although just graduating college and some applied for those desktop support jobs, interviewed, and the employer said wow...we need you somewhere else other than Help Desk. They all had a similar path as you...2 year Networking degree and Cisco certification.

Good luck!!

Sounds like you have some really lucky friends. I feel like i know a lot about networks considering i don't have any experience working on a production network. However, i have not gotten the opportunity to prove that to anyone. I think i could start as tier 2 if was given the chance to do so.

famosbrown

Yeah, but they do lot a like of people who get good breaks! They apply, apply, and apply some more. Do not read too much into the experience requirements, but if you look at what they are looking for and you believe you can do the majority of the requirements, APPLY!

If you get called in for an interview, let them decide if you are the candidate they are looking for. Some people look at job postings or even a simple task, but not try because they feel like they aren't qualified...you won't know if you can do it or not unless you try.

Just apply for every job that interests you and if your first job is Desktop Support, keep applying until you get the job that will lead you DIRECTLY towards your networking career goals.

Phliplip112

So you think if i can do 80% of the requested tasks already i should apply anyways regardless of experience( say 0-3 years not 5-10). Is that what your suggesting

famosbrown

Yes...that is exactly what I'm suggesting.

apply anyway and let the employer decide if they want to bring you in for an interview and offer you a job. There aren't many job applicants who can do 100% of the work listed in the requirements for mid to high level jobs, and if they can, more than likely the employer won't be able to afford them.

Just apply away and don't let requirements stop you. You will never meet the required experience for a Systems/Network Administrator/Engineer working on a helpdesk. The work is totally different. An employer have to give someone an opportunity without real world experience doing THE job so they can get the experience. Sometimes it's a win-win because you get the job and begin applying what you have learned and learning new things. the employer gets someone that they can pay less to, wants to learn more, prove themselves, and will continue to grow as a valuable asset.