Easy certification / resume fodder?

N2IT

I only ask for a friend at work. He asked me today if there are an easier certifications that he could study for and pass. He doesn't want to spend a lot of time studying.

To be honest I can't really think of any, I am currently studying an intermediate ITIL certification, well at least reading the OGC book which is anything but easy.

Any suggestions? He is a great guy who is smart, but I am trying to get him "hooked" so to speak on certifications. And I figured if I can introduce him into something relaxed and not to difficult and not to expensive I can help him out in his career. He has a IT bachelors from the University of Phoenix and 2 years management call center and another 3 years in IT remote helpdesk predominately tier 2.


I really hate to sound cheezy but this is for my friend and I really like him and want him to get certified in at least something. We have a whole new board of directors and "RIFTS" are in the water cooler rumblings, in fact some have happened already albiet not at our office, in another business unit though.

To be honest A+ is almost to much dedication. Anything easier than that?

Thanks for any suggestions.

earweed

How about trying him out with the Microsoft Technology Associate http://www.techexams.net/forums/mcsa-mcse-windows-2003-general/56972-microsoft-technology-associate-mta.html

phantasm

N2IT wrote: »

To be honest A+ is almost to much dedication. Anything easier than that?

I mean no disrespect but if the A+ is too much dedication then what does he want out of his career? If he wants to stay in Tier I for life then that is his decision. But outside of Tier I, he's going to need to find his own dedication and motivation and put in the time like the rest of us have.

N2IT

phantasm wrote: »

I mean no disrespect but if the A+ is too much dedication then what does he want out of his career? If he wants to stay in Tier I for life then that is his decision. But outside of Tier I, he's going to need to find his own dedication and motivation and put in the time like the rest of us have.

The only thing I could think of is vendor related certifications.


BTW he is in tier 2 and a very good tech. The appitude is there no question and the work ethic at work is tremendous. It's just trying to get him to do IT outside of work is tough.

mikedisd2

It's great that you want see and help your friend succeed. But you can't force motivation on anyone. If A+ is too much for your friend then he's just plain not interested in furthering his career through certification. It's his decision and you'll have to accept that.

We all move in our own time, albeit often too late.

It also sounds like a low level, minimum study certificate won't hold water for him. So what's the point?

mikej412

phantasm wrote: »

But outside of Tier I, he's going to need to find his own dedication and motivation and put in the time like the rest of us have.

That about sums it up -- but I wouldn't limit it to Tier I. If your career isn't moving forward, then it's slowly dying -- and the best you can hope for is that you hit retirement (or a career change event) before your career is totally dead.

N2IT wrote: »

It's just trying to get him to do IT outside of work is tough.

Then have them bring a sandwich and read during lunch time -- or during work down time. A slow and steady approach can work for certifications. A CBT Nugget can also fit into lunch time (if they get/take an hour lunch)

mikedisd2 wrote: »

he's just plain not interested in furthering his career through certification. It's his decision and you'll have to accept that.

That's true -- unfortunately a lot of people wait until the rumors (or initial round) of "downsizing" or "rightsizing" to find their motivation to study and advance their careers.

rwwest7

The A+ was the biggest joke of a test I've ever taken, if that's too much for him than well....

N2IT

mikej412 wrote: »

That about sums it up -- but I wouldn't limit it to Tier I. If your career isn't moving forward, then it's slowly dying -- and the best you can hope for is that you hit retirement (or a career change event) before your career is totally dead.


Then have them bring a sandwich and read during lunch time -- or during work down time. A slow and steady approach can work for certifications. A CBT Nugget can also fit into lunch time (if they get/take an hour lunch)


That's true -- unfortunately a lot of people wait until the rumors (or initial round) of "downsizing" or "rightsizing" to find their motivation to study and advance their careers.

We do get an hour lunch and that might be something to consider. He has some self taught network skills using Tivoli Netview and Cisco Works, so he isn't a stranger to networking. Infact he self taught himself a lot of what he knows. I am going to suggest the nuggets and might even pick him up some. Do they have those in a networking certification. LIke the CCENT or something at that level?

N2IT

rwwest7 wrote: »

The A+ was the biggest joke of a test I've ever taken, if that's too much for him than well....

You have to admit if you are working in a corporate environment your whole career a lot of that information you never even really use. IRQ's, some of the OS troubleshooting etc. I mean a lot of the time it's more time effective to just reimage the machine if the OS is broken down. Obviously you want the individual to have performed a personality back up before executing that, but..........

It just seems A+ is geared towards the smaller level tech or the mom and pop shop tech, at least that's my perspective.

it_consultant

Is this guy one of those situations where he believes since he has a bachelor's degree he does not need to bother with certifications? If he's been in IT for 5 years total then he should be able to sit for the A+ with no prep and pass it. Thats not an awful lot of dedication!

I think there is an attitude problem here. If he can't be bothered to do professional education then IT is not the career for him. In fact, I can't think of any career where continuing education is not important.

earweed

it_consultant wrote: »

Is this guy one of those situations where he believes since he has a bachelor's degree he does not need to bother with certifications? If he's been in IT for 5 years total then he should be able to sit for the A+ with no prep and pass it. Thats not an awful lot of dedication!

I think there is an attitude problem here. If he can't be bothered to do professional education then IT is not the career for him. In fact, I can't think of any career where continuing education is not important.

+1 I can't agree with you more. IT, and most other careers, takes continual learning to stay up on what's going on.

skyline

N2IT wrote: »

I only ask for a friend at work. He asked me today if there are an easier certifications that he could study for and pass. He doesn't want to spend a lot of time studying.

I was going to type this big rant piece, but couldn't be bothered. Maybe if I wait long enough someone will do it for me.... SUCKERS!!

From what you posted your friend is an idiot

N2IT

skyline wrote: »

I was going to type this big rant piece, but couldn't be bothered. Maybe if I wait long enough someone will do it for me.... SUCKERS!!

From what you posted your friend is an idiot

Crickets