CCNA or MCSE

Hello, quick question. What is a better career route, going server side with MCSE or going the network route with CCNA?

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I personally like doing the server side better but a lot of recruiters and employers want me to have a CCNA. It almost seems like right now the CCNA is more desirable in my area. I think you should do some searches for jobs in your area and get an idea of what is more in demand if you have to pick between the 2. Getting both is always the best option though

darkerosxx

Door number 3: Server side with RHCE!

Mrock4

The best career route is the one that you enjoy doing the most, which provides some form of compensation. If you happen to enjoy servers, do that, if you enjoy networking more, do that.

empc4000xl

Mrock4 wrote:

The best career route is the one that you enjoy doing the most, which provides some form of compensation. If you happen to enjoy servers, do that, if you enjoy networking more, do that.

I agree with this. I enjoyed gettign my CCNA, I took MCSE right after and I could barley stay focused in class. I finished the MCA portion then I got out. I couldn't take it anymore. So find what u enjoy doing and you will be fine. I'm going to knock out out that cert, but its more to just to have my head above the water in this economy.

UnixGuy

get CCNA anyway, it will give u solid understanding of networking in general, and little bit about configuring Cisco devices.

If you intend to work with Microsoft server, then go for MCSE too.

joey74055

So it seems that is a good idea to get both but at the very least get the CCNA. Here is my beef with MCSE server side. Its NOT the MCSE or the server side stuff itself but it seems that its everything non-It that is tied to it. For example, I rarely see a job posting looking for just a Systems Administrator. I see job postings for Systems Administrators with MCSE's that are also helpdesk, the phone, printer and fax guy, bascally wearing multiple hats and having to deal with end users on a daily basis. I guess at smaller companies just "babysitting" servers isn't a full time job?? On the other hand, it seems that network tech's only have to deal with IT staff, not end users nor do they have to wear multiple hats like helpdesk, do these situations appear to be accurate?

Mrock4

I'll only speak for the network tech side, which is what I currently do, but I deal with end users a fair amount. I'd say probably 25% of my time is with end-users, and the remaining time is interacting with other IT staff.

I'd say go for the cert you're most interested in, but plan on getting the other eventually just to make yourself more marketable. I absolutely hate working servers (I did it a bit..it's just not my cup of tea), but I plan on at least getting MCSA eventually..just to stay competitive in this job market.

Daniel333

MCSE and CCNA really are not comparable. The MCSE will take a lot more work. But they actually start to realy build on eachother once you get to the 70-291.

I really you have to do both now days... really, more. MCSE+CCNP minimum.

May I recommend this path to you...
70-620 >> 70-270 >> 640-822 >> 70-290 >> 640-816 >> 70-291

70-293 >> 70-294 >> 70-297

royal

While I do all Microsoft stuff for my job, I'd still say it's good to do CCNA/CCDA at the minimum even if you're a consultant. Getting the knowledge of Cisco devices, how they work, how routing works (not RRAS!!!!), VLANs, etc. will help you understand how the Microsoft technologies are laid out on a physical topology. Hence why I've been wanting to do my CCNA but too busy with other stuff this year and too busy in 2009. I plan on CCNA in 2010 and maybe the CCDA as well.

UnixGuy

joey74055 wrote:

... Its NOT the MCSE or the server side stuff itself but it seems that its everything non-It that is tied to it. For example, I rarely see a job posting looking for just a Systems Administrator. I see job postings for Systems Administrators with MCSE's that are also helpdesk, the phone, printer and fax guy, bascally wearing multiple hats and having to deal with end users on a daily basis...

don't be confused. To administer a system that uses Microsoft server products (such as Active Directory, Exchange, file servers..etc), then you need "the knowledge" of the MSCE material !

But I never saw a job requesting an Oracle DBA under UNIX to have MCSE or a JAVA developer position asking for MCSE either.

MCSE ==> Microsoft Servers.

Of course it's good knowledge, and to get it you should have clear understanding of DHCP, DNS, domain controllers. and many other things. But it won't give u experience in Linux for example. So it's not everything. It's broad because as you said many small and big business are using Microsoft products so they require the expertise to manage these products but it's not everything.

Get CCNA, get a job (if you can), then start getting certified.

oo_snoopy

Depends on what you like.

I personally believe the networking side of the house is more complicated and a cut above server work, but then again I do a lot of network side programming and have an array of databases and linux boxes used to support my network.

joey74055

Ok, thank you. I am just trying to get a feel for the networking side of life. I am currently a Systems Administrator and am studying for my MCSE but I am growing more disatified with my job / role each day. I started out doing helpdesk and thought that getting a Systems Administrator type job would get me out of dealing with people and helpdesk but I have found out that it is only helpdesk with added responsibilities. I do not like helpdesk or dealing with people. I am trying to get a feel for wha ta Network Admin deals with on an everyday basis. I am extremely interested in networking and do find it a lot more exciting than servers.

zen master

These days, with competition for jobs being as stiff as it is, I would definitely say try to do both. It shouldn't be a case of either or. I lost out on a great job because I didn't have my CCNA a while back, that's when I realised I needed to have both.